Empathy and compassion are hot topics these days. There appears to be less going around. In this New York Times article, How Not to be Alone, http://nyti.ms/1zA6RDH writer Jonathan Saffron Foer suggests that by accepting “diminished substitutes” via technology we become diminished substitutes. Substantive emotional exchange promotes empathy. Attention leads to attunement and attunement fosters compassion. Time together, conversing, connecting and listening conjures relief, satisfaction and lightness.  “Psychologists who study empathy and compassion are finding that, it takes time for the brain to comprehend the psychological and moral dimensions of a situation. The more distracted we become, and the more emphasis we place on speed at the expense of depth, the less likely and able we are to care.”

Empathy and compassion are good medicine. It’s all about the relationship and deep listening. True connections with another person, no matter their age, race, culture, religion, or politics, have a huge impact on wellness. Telling our stories to one another decreases stress and somatic illness, “Everyone wants his parent’s, or friend’s, or partner’s undivided attention —Simone Weil wrote, “Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.”