Empathy and optimism

When talking with others over the past year or so, I’ve occasionally mentioned how I’ve been “working on my empathy”. This usually prompts confused, awkward moments, but I’ve meant it wholeheartedly. The most basic way I’ve found so far to describe what this means is I’ve been attempting to be as mindful as possible in my interactions with others, and in my apprehension of their stories and personal testimony. My objective isn’t just to comprehend what I’m reading, watching, or being told, bu...