The reason I wanted to do this episode is that I’ve been getting messages + comments asking me “why isn’t X issue being talked about right now?” / “why there isn't the same energy for X issue as is BLM right now?”⁣

I HEAR YOU⁣
There are a few reasons why I think empathy is KEY at this moment.⁣

1. What is empathy?⁣

Not sympathy. Sympathy + pity =/= empathy⁣
Sympathy is simply “Oh I’m sorry you’re hurting” and gets on with their life⁣
Sympathy simply cognitive⁣
Empathy is love in action, compassionate and acting on that feeling of compassion⁣
Compassion is proactive - doesn’t wait for others to do it, follows through⁣
Empathy isn’t afraid to speak out⁣

2. Why is it important right now?⁣

There is SO much division in our world right now - we can’t let issues like racism divide us. THIS IS WHAT THOSE IN POWER WANT⁣
They WANT us to be divided so that we don’t realise what the system is doing.⁣
Easy to be in an echo chamber⁣
So many emotions right now⁣

3. How can we be empathetic?⁣

Instead of simply ‘showing’ empathy, we can EMBODY and BE empathetic⁣
“how do I play into your hurting?”, how do I actively prevent your hurt?⁣
Go out of your way to find other experiences / POV⁣
it's been a shaky few months, but what if the tremors were to make room for what is new!?⁣
Be quick to LISTEN, slow to ANGER⁣
Give yourself time to process and do the inner work!!⁣
We need to actively pull ourselves out of WITH US or AGAINST us convos⁣
It shouldn't get to that point.  It doesn't have to be EITHER OR, it can be this AND that.⁣

I used to get angry and frustrated if someone wasn't as passionate as me about a certain cause - but I've since realised that it's so important for all of us to have our own passions and causes so we can collectively improve the world and bring justice into it!⁣

To end: Romans 12:6-8⁣
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith⁣
if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;⁣
if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.⁣

- If we all did the same thing, what's the point?⁣

Let me know your thoughts! ⁣
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CONNECT WITH ME//⁣
Website: https://www.joellephua.com⁣
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Intro and Outro Music by Fiji Blue - Butterflies: https://thmatc.co/?l=46147697

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