EMPATHY

Life is a strange experience. I have discovered that when you do not have much money is the time when someone comes to ask for your financial assistance; when you are tired is when someone asks for your help. When you are depressed and needs someone to lift you up, is when someone comes with his/her burden and asks to ‘lean or cry’ on your shoulder.

I saw a picture of a pastor ministering to a needy group of people. Some had tears in their eyes as the pastor laid his hands on them. What they did not see was that the pastor was stubbed with several knives sticking out of his back.

Is it a wrong and misplaced coincidence? Are you the wrong person to address their need? No. You are actually the right person. In your state you see and feel the sufferings of another person better. “Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself.”[1] In your state you can find them in your own suffering. If anything, you may cry together. And each one understands the other and that way each one’s burden feels lighter.

Dr H. Gondwe

Deputy Headmaster (P)