Use Words of Empathy, not Spite

by Letters Editor · February 26, 2015

Karin Human, Pretoria

We often are blinded into thinking that people holding up signs at traffic lights are the only ones battling. However, around us, at all times, there are people who are battling due to unemployment, rising costs and many other challenges. They are people whom we see every day at work, sit next to every week in church.

(Graphic: The Southern Cross)

How much do we really know about those people? Do we know whether helping them with dinner for their family once a week might help greatly? Have we talked to them�the kind of talking where we hear what they say?

Help begins in a community and very often people are too shy to ask for help, too shy to reach out, too afraid of stigma or gossip, and so we need to take it upon ourselves to try to listen more or find out if such people are around us. Maybe Lent is a good time to start that.

This year I find myself wondering if during this time of reflection and sacrifice, we should not consider giving up some other things, rather than the tangible Lenten sacrifices, such as sweets or alcohol.

How about we give up some of the things that come out of our mouths?

Words. Not the good ones � the kind, truthful, real words that build people up; words that show sympathy, empathy, gentleness and love � but those that are mean and spiteful.

The things we say that harm and hurt others: the untruths, gossip and mean things; the impatient, demeaning words that do nothing but break other human beings down and cause unnecessary heartache.

How about we try and give up some of those?

Let�s greet people with kindness and warmth: at home, at work, among friends. Let�s smile more, acknowledge a good deed, say please and thank you, tell someone they matter. Words of wonder as opposed to words of wounding.