Empathy

Dear Partners in Green,

It seems that a topic on many people’s minds today is empathy, the ability to understand and to share the feelings of another.

Today there is much discussion regarding the lack of empathy, and the lack of compassion exhibited by our current administration.

Democracy requires empathy. We live in a diverse society where we must learn not just to tolerate, but to have compassion for others unlike ourselves.

No empathy, no democracy.

And that lack of empathy, of care and compassion, has dire consequences for our natural world, and for those currently facing man-made Climate Change for which they bear the least responsibility.

Cruelty abounds when care, compassion and empathy are drowned out by greed and selfishness.

We must not let the current political climate distract us from the reality of Climate Change and from doing all we can do to relieve the suffering of those most grievously affected.

We simply must live as green as we can.

Again and again: reduce, reuse, recycle, limit meat consumption to save rainforests, adjust thermostats to save energy, support aid and conservation organizations such as the International Rescue Committee and the Nature Conservancy. Let your actions speak.

It is a tiring time and a trying time, but we cannot give up.

Instead, we could learn about the lives of those most impacted by Climate Change and imagine ourselves in their place.

And what of the lives of our children, grandchildren, and beyond?

And we can reflect on empathy, discuss empathy, and nurture empathy.

Empathy

Let me hold the door for you.
I may have never walked in your shoes,
but I can see your soles are worn,
your strength is torn under the weight of a story
I have never lived before.
Let me hold the door for you.
After all you have walked through,
It is the least I can do.

– Morgan Harper Nichols

The Golden Rule is found in most religions.

Christianity
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12, NIV) The New Testament, Christian text

Islam
“The Prophet Muhammad said, ‘None of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother that which he loves for himself.’” — [Al-Bukhari], Hadith 13

Judaism
‘That which is despicable to you, do not do to your fellow, this is the whole Torah, and the rest is commentary, go and learn it.’” — Hillel the Elder in The Babylonian Talmud

Baha’i
“Choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself.” —Phrase from Baha’i work, Epistle to the Son of Wolf

Thank you for being on this journey.

Wishing peace and health to you and your loved ones.

Until next time,
Beth