tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32541547.post116287516919529471..comments2023-06-16T06:14:17.580-07:00Comments on beyond assumptions: A trip to Houstonstevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03275381128126684009noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32541547.post-1162959321988149582006-11-07T20:15:00.000-08:002006-11-07T20:15:00.000-08:00mags and more cows,Thank you for your kind comment...mags and more cows,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your kind comments. As I reflected on this topic a little further, I found myself thinking about how empathy (or perhaps the shift in perspective that makes empathy possible) really can reduce stress. <BR/><BR/>And yet there are also those who struggle with constantly putting their needs aside to please others. In that sense, doing so might not always be helpful. <BR/><BR/>The difference, it seems to me, is one of motivation. Empathy in its truest form is a gift, a hopefully selfless act. Constantly giving-in to what others wish is more an act of fear, a fear of abandonment, rejection, or conflict.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, thanks again for your kind words.stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03275381128126684009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32541547.post-1162951164508234602006-11-07T17:59:00.000-08:002006-11-07T17:59:00.000-08:00Empathy decreasing stress... how thought provokin...Empathy decreasing stress... how thought provoking. Yes, I suppose it can. I spent too much time in airports the last few years (last year in particular) and I have some grace-filled empathy stories to share and some less than lovely impatience stories to share "You're not hearing me. I will be getting home tonight!"<BR/><BR/>It was nice traveling with my husband on a few occasions this summer. We could take turns fielding the frustrations. I, the more experienced traveler could be assertive when necessary. He, the one with unlimited reserves of patience (it seems so often) brought generosity and grace when I was ready to snap. <BR/><BR/>Thanks, as ever.more cows than peoplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15848597902402114593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32541547.post-1162907048614273572006-11-07T05:44:00.000-08:002006-11-07T05:44:00.000-08:00Steve, like so many of your posts, this one caused...Steve, like so many of your posts, this one caused me to step back to consider my own behavior in situations like this. Thank you for your thoughtful and spirit-filled blog.<BR/><BR/>Blessings, MagsMagdalene6127https://www.blogger.com/profile/11036211735489393308noreply@blogger.com