For the past two months, Jenny and I have blogged on fear and love. This month, we blog on Empathy. We recommend all the reads and reflection to date, and we continue the deeper dive now… on Empathy.

Jenny says…

Hello all you incredibly wonderful humans!  

This month will be the one I chat about a topic that hits close to home, which I am sure it will for many of you. It is about how bullying behaviors affect the empath child, and even the empath adult. We have no shortage to talk about here. None sadly. The world is full of empaths, and the ones that have been taught that it is normal to speak to someone with hatred or lack of kindness. Whether or not it is pre-meditated, or simply done subconsciously, it is there, and it remains to be a problem within society.   

My son came home last week sad and a little embarrassed because of his reactive behavior. His teacher had sent me an email and I quickly responded. We had spoken on the phone about what she had known about the situation. As we always know there are 3 sides to the story. I needed to hear my boy’s side. He had been in class and got upset (the reason was unknown at this point) and he took some pencils and broke them on the floor. As his mother, I had to ask him questions as to why this was his chosen behavior. As a Child and Youth care student and almost graduate, I delved into exploring this further with him. What was the trigger for his anger? Why was he sad? 

Stay tuned, for this unfolding in the upcoming broadCAST.

Barry says…

This is such a powerful topic and one we need to talk more about indeed. For me, Empathy is a virtue available to all. While some are more inclined to feel, Empathy is something, a strength of character, a virtue… that can be learned and practiced.

Bullying is a crucible to examine Empathy. As someone who was bullied, observed it, and even a few times in my life, consciously or unconsciously did it… I am reminded that bullying is a learned behaviour. Children are not born with it. They learn by the examples set; and this world has plenty of examples of bullying. It needs more examples of the strength we know as Empathy.

Empathy is practiced when we are increasingly able to put ourselves in the shoes of another. It is diminished through apathy and distance. It is increased by caring and closeness. Dehumanization is one of the forces and sources advancing meanness and cruelty. The humanization of the world advances us in Empathy. Simply and for now, consider this video on Empathy.

I am looking forward to this road. We all need to explore it.

TOGETHER

So, we continue. Together, we continue to be committed to living a joyful life and work.  Friends do that.  Together, and into November and beyond, we will continue to explore our own perspectives on love and character and how they can build a life of work, play and service that is right for each and all of us.  Join us, stay tuned and engage us.  Our lives matter.

Peace, passion, prosperity, and a whole bunch of Love and Character

Benny and Jarry

Peace, passion and prosperity…

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Benny and Jarry

Jenny Dearing speaks to love in action.  She brings talent, experience and learning around love, trauma and care.  With a passion for Child and Youth Care and Addictions, and a background in same, she connects, and memorably so.  Her work spans children and youth care with addictions, personal and senior care, respite work, and business leadership; delivering on all.  Jenny is a Certified Virtues Project™ Facilitator, with professional training in child and youth care with addictions support and home support services.  With certification in ASIST Suicide First Aid, Autism Awareness and Understanding, Trauma Information Care and Child and Youth Care Practice, Jenny brings it, with zeal. On top of all that, she loves singing, and is an accomplished multi-media artist … and brings both to her work.  Artistry is a path to love and healing.  Jenny knows it.  She believes in it.  She drives it.

Barry Lewis Green moves the needle on character leadership and unity building with joyful ferocity and thoughtful zeal.  Barry helps leaders forge strong, united cultures at school, work, business and community.  Joe Calloway says, “I had the distinct pleasure of being in an audience in Montreal with Barry Lewis Green on the stage. Quite simply, Barry absolutely captivated us with his talent, his message, and his heart.  The feeling of unity that Barry created in the room that day was extraordinary.”  With 39 years in education and leadership training and development … and work in the private, public and community sectors across Canada… and as a speaker, educator, master facilitator, coach, writer, singer, dancer, and cartoonist, Barry stokes the fire on together strong.