The Power of Empathy, the Power of Hope

A Message from Nancy Rosenow, Exchange’s Publisher:

As we begin a new week, I wanted to share two thoughts with you that I’m finding helpful during this time of continuing challenge. One is from a beautiful book by Piero Ferrucci called The Power of Kindness:

“Empathy is a means at our disposal for bringing relief and contentment to another person. It is no coincidence that, according to many psychotherapists, empathy is the essential ingredient of the successful therapeutic relationship. Suffering individuals do not need diagnoses, advice, interpretations, manipulations. They need genuine and total empathy…

However, we can also have too much of a good thing. We can easily overdose on empathy. We hear about other people’s troubles and suffering, we identify with them completely, and we end up exhausted and torn…we can lose our center…We first need to be sure we are in touch with ourselves and our own needs, in possession of our own space and time.”

And in Holly Elissa Bruno’s inspiring book, Happiness is Running Through the Streets to Find You: Translating Trauma’s Harsh Legacy into Healing, she writes this about the power of hope:

“Viktor Frankl in Auschwitz chose to believe his wife was alive in a different prison camp. He didn’t know if she lived or if she had been killed by gas or other inhuman cruelties until liberation years later. Choosing hope kept Frankl alive and energized to help others.

During devastation, ‘always look for the helpers,’ Fred Rogers’ mother told him. The helpers are the ones with perspective who see what needs to be done and do it. Frankl surveyed the despairing faces in the concentration camp and asked, ‘Why do some of us survive and others despair and die?’

He determined survivors are the ones fueled by hope.”

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.

© 2005 Child Care Information Exchange - All Rights Reserved | Contact Us | Return to Site