Keeping the Peace

The act of compassion begins with full attention, just as rapport does. You have to really see the person. If you see the person, then naturally, empathy arises. If you tune into the other person, you feel with them. If empathy arises and if that person is in dire need, then empathic concern can come. You want to help them, and then that begins a compassionate act. So I’d say that compassion begins with attention. – Daniel Goleman

It seems like some days the most difficult thing for us to give to others is our attention. We can give them quick answers, we can send them speedy emails and rapidly text them, but are we really paying attention to them? You know what it feels like, you stop by to share information with a team member and they don’t even look away from their computer. They don’t look up, they don’t make eye contact and the only answer you get from them is some monosyllabic grunt or an “I know” or “Ok, Ok.” You know that you will have to give them this information all over again later. It does not feel so great does it?

Now think of a time when someone really listened to you. They stopped working, they made eye contact with you and you knew that you had been heard. Now that is a terrific feeling.

If you do just one thing for your friends, families and co-workers today, try giving them your full attention at least once. You will all feel better.

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