Love: The Importance of Empathy and Compassion
I want to share an experience that taught me a powerful lesson about the importance of empathy and compassion in life, especially when interacting with those around us, specifically with little ones.
A few years ago, the silence in our home was suddenly broken by the sound of something heavy crashing in the bathroom. One of my little ones, crying and terrified, said: “I did something wrong, but I don’t want you to get mad at me,” as tears streamed down her face, trying to explain through her pain how humiliated she felt for having done something she knew would upset the adults present.
My first reaction was to hold her, embrace her, and make sure she was okay before judging what had happened. With a broken heart, she told me that while trying to play, she broke the toilet lid and felt ashamed of it. Fortunately, she didn’t suffer any physical harm, and once I reassured her, we ended up laughing together. At the age of 6, she felt proud that no toilet lid could hold her.
This episode led me to reflect on how many times we react without fully understanding the situation, rushing to pass judgments and impose punishments proportionate to the magnitude of the mistakes made.
How many times do we blind ourselves in our positions, whether as parents, leaders, or bosses, trying to prove that others have made mistakes?
On this occasion, I realized that there was no need to punish or scold. My daughter had learned her lesson, and it was unlikely that she would repeat that act. The most important thing was to be there for her, offering understanding and love instead of reprimands.
The memory that will linger in her heart will not be of a yell or a gesture of contempt for her mistake, but of her father embracing her, washing her feet, and wiping her tears. It will be the certainty that she can trust me, knowing that I will always love her regardless of her mistakes and that I will be there to support and understand her.
Strengthening trust, creating emotional bonds, and showing compassion are essential in all our relationships. It is a reminder that we all make mistakes and need understanding and support in those difficult moments before calmly establishing a consequence for that disobedience.
So, as we interact with others, especially with children and youth, let’s remember the importance of empathy and compassion. Let’s learn to embrace, listen, and support without judging. Unconditional love is the most precious gift we can give to those around us.
That afternoon, I learned that love is not only being there in moments of happiness but also in times of difficulty, helping others grow and learn with compassion and understanding.