Empathy

Have you ever felt a little sad when your friend was sad? Or have you felt super happy when someone you love laughed a big, happy laugh? It feels like a little spark of their feeling jumps from their heart right into your heart. When they feel warm like sunshine, you feel a little bit of their sunshine, too. When they feel sad like a little rain cloud, you might feel a little rainy inside. That special, warm feeling of understanding? That's me. My name is Empathy.

You can't hold me in your hands like a soft teddy bear or a bouncy ball. I am a feeling that you can grow, grow, grow right inside you. I show up when you watch your friends and family. When you see someone drop their yummy ice cream and it goes splat on the ground, you can imagine how sticky and sad that feels. When you think about their feeling, you are using me. When you give a friend a big, warm hug because they look lonely, you are helping me grow stronger. I am in your listening ears, your watching eyes, and your big, caring heart.

I am like a secret superpower for making friends and helping everyone feel like they belong. When we share feelings, we build invisible bridges from my heart to your heart and to everyone's heart. You can use me every day to make the world a better place. You can share a smile, give a gentle pat to your pet, or ask a friend, 'Are you okay?'. That’s how we make the whole world full of kindness.