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Random Acts of Empathy

For at least the past decade I have been what I might call a “Kindness Warrior.”  I promote “Random Acts of Kindness” and do what I can to educate clients and students that “Kindness is not weakness” but rather a testimony to courage and strength.   However, more recently and with the fortunate circumstances which allowed me to teach a class on “Emotional Intelligence” at the local college, I now believe that empathy overrides kindness.

Kindness it appears can be a cognitive action that comes from a thought or a need to gain something in return.  Empathy on the other hand, is a heart-centered and projected emotion that is difficult to show if it is not authentic. 

So just what is empathy? It is defined as the ability to identify with the feelings of another.  It is being able to relate to someone else in a way that says, “Yes, I understand because it has happened to me as well.”

For almost a decade now I have worked with clients who have been battered, bruised, and abused.  Likewise over the years, I have had many horses that were also battered, abused, and neglected.  These horses have ended up on my property to be “rescued” from their neglect, abuse, and overall lack of care.  Clients who have also been neglected, abused and whom carry a suitcase of past trauma and pain, also find their way to my door which ultimately leads them to the rescue horses.

Watching empathy in action is a tremendously powerful gift.  When “rescued humans” are placed with rescued horses, it is as if magic happens.  There is a connection between the two that is undeniably strong.  It is as if they say to each other, “I see you and I understand you because I have been in your shoes.”  As clients brush these horses they do so in a way that shows careful attention to every inch on the horse’s bodies.  Some talk softly to the horses asking if they like the brushing, while others begin to share information about themselves that perhaps they have never shared with another human.

I suppose if there is a point to this Blog it is this-if you find yourself feeling anxious, depressed, sad, lost, and/or confused-find a rescue horse to brush.  Seriously…you will be amazed and delighted with how wonderful you feel when you offer empathy AND kindness to another creature on the planet. 

Dr. Libby Smith