Empathic elders – a way of life
“Do not judge your neighbour until you walk 2 moons in his moccasins” Cheyenne Native American proverb . In all my research over the years about creative ageing by authors or therapists discussing this chapter in our lives, I haven’t seen any mention about this topic of empathy, and its importance in our lives, and how much it is vitally needed at this time in contemporary society. According to my research there seems to be a growing decline in the spreading of empathy. There is an empathy deficit. And this is playing out in our present political culture re asylum seekers and concern for those less fortunate. Roman Krznaric cites a study at one university in California showing that the richer one is, the less empathy is likely to be displayed. In between numerous cups of tea over the last few weeks I have been deeply engrossed in learning more about empathy. As a therapist, I learned, and improved upon my natural ability, to be aware of the importance of empathic