My empathetic heart
In the midst of some news I received today, as I reflected on this, it also had me reflecting on a character trait that has developed in me over the last few years. It doesn't "come out" too often, but when it does, and in certain circumstances, it transforms me into a complete 180 of the person I normally am.
I am a very empathetic person.
Recently, I took a Myers Briggs personality quiz for a series of professional development workshops. Turns out I am INFJ, which is pretty much the polar opposite of what I tested about three or so years ago (I was ESFJ then). One of the personality traits of an INFJ is that they are concerned for one another's feelings and they hold especially close to their hearts those who are close to them. When someone shares something sad or profound or what have you with me, I've found myself having strong feelings of sadness, sympathy, sometimes anger, joy, silliness, and sometimes it's towards folks I've barely gotten to know. When I think back on this story from a few weeks ago, I just remember being so moved, because her trying to relate to those in my generation struck me; I'm living it out right now, a living statistic! I find I can relate to people on a deeper level than just agreeing or listening. I suppose more of my sympathy shows when I hear of a situation or loss that I have not personally dealt with. Much like this most recent instance, what drove me to my inner retreat of sadness is that I was trying to imagine that hurt, and I just couldn't. For me, that's when faith steps in: I pray on their behalf. I really do believe the world would go someplace if we all just tried to put ourselves in one another's shoes. You could really learn quite a deal about your neighbor.
I don't know where my empathy came from. It could be because of the circumstances that have occurred in my life just within the past two years or so. It could be Christ in me, I'm not entirely sure. I do know that as a VISTA, I'm going to come across more people who have all kinds of stories, stories that I can't even begin to fathom. I guess the way I see it is that when you strip away all the preconceived notions, judgments, first impressions, we as humans are really not all that different. We all feel in the dark, scared, joyful, excited, depressed, confused, the list goes on. I've been told that my heart is too big for my body, and I see this as both my pride and my downfall. I think mostly, as John Coffey puts it, I'm tired of people being ugly to each other, and I hope that as I continue down my VISTA road, in addition to my capacity building, I use this empathetic heart of mine to strive to better serve those I encounter. However that seems fit.
I am a very empathetic person.
Recently, I took a Myers Briggs personality quiz for a series of professional development workshops. Turns out I am INFJ, which is pretty much the polar opposite of what I tested about three or so years ago (I was ESFJ then). One of the personality traits of an INFJ is that they are concerned for one another's feelings and they hold especially close to their hearts those who are close to them. When someone shares something sad or profound or what have you with me, I've found myself having strong feelings of sadness, sympathy, sometimes anger, joy, silliness, and sometimes it's towards folks I've barely gotten to know. When I think back on this story from a few weeks ago, I just remember being so moved, because her trying to relate to those in my generation struck me; I'm living it out right now, a living statistic! I find I can relate to people on a deeper level than just agreeing or listening. I suppose more of my sympathy shows when I hear of a situation or loss that I have not personally dealt with. Much like this most recent instance, what drove me to my inner retreat of sadness is that I was trying to imagine that hurt, and I just couldn't. For me, that's when faith steps in: I pray on their behalf. I really do believe the world would go someplace if we all just tried to put ourselves in one another's shoes. You could really learn quite a deal about your neighbor.
I don't know where my empathy came from. It could be because of the circumstances that have occurred in my life just within the past two years or so. It could be Christ in me, I'm not entirely sure. I do know that as a VISTA, I'm going to come across more people who have all kinds of stories, stories that I can't even begin to fathom. I guess the way I see it is that when you strip away all the preconceived notions, judgments, first impressions, we as humans are really not all that different. We all feel in the dark, scared, joyful, excited, depressed, confused, the list goes on. I've been told that my heart is too big for my body, and I see this as both my pride and my downfall. I think mostly, as John Coffey puts it, I'm tired of people being ugly to each other, and I hope that as I continue down my VISTA road, in addition to my capacity building, I use this empathetic heart of mine to strive to better serve those I encounter. However that seems fit.
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