Empathy

When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, don't blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilier, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce. Yet, if we have problems with our friends, or family, we blame the other person. But if we know how to take care of them, they will grow well, like the lettuce. Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using reason and argument. That is my experience. No blame, no rasoning, no argument, just understanding. If you understand, and you show that your understand, you can love, and the situation will change. - Thich Nhat Hanh

Empathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It's simply listening, holding space, withholding judgement, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of ' You are not alone. " - Brene Brown