May we always treat others with the benefit of the doubt, courtesy, compassion and respect.
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My life intersects with others all day. Sometimes I know these other lives well, but other times, connections are very brief. Without empathy, I’m inclined to judge others and want them to avoid distracting me from my intentions, goals and destinations. But wait. Who are these people? How might they tell their own stories? What thoughts preoccupy their minds? What joys and troubles are coursing through their feelings?
This short film, produced by the Cleveland Clinic, reminds me that empathy is my tool for beginning to know these things. It asks the question: If we could catch a glimpse of others’ stories, would we treat them differently?