Empathy is more than kindness—it’s the deep acknowledgment of your experience, your emotions, and your humanity.
This week, we affirm::
I Deserve Empathy
Je Mérite De L’empathie
"An exchange ofempathyprovides an entry point for a lot of people to see what healing feels like." - Tarana Burke
To feel heard, seen, and truly understood is a powerful kind of healing. These offerings are here to help you connect more deeply with yourself and with others:
*All photos are links to more information. The bookshop.org link is an affiliate link
When empathy is turned inward...
Enjoy this self-empathy meditation
RADICAL SELF COMPASSION WITH TARA BRACH
FROM CALM
Radical compassion is our evolutionary capacity to include all living beings in our heart and to actively express our care. In this meditation, you learn RAIN (recognize-allow-investigate-nurture), an applied meditation for cultivating mindfulness-based compassion.
Next, a podcast conversation between Tarana Burke and Brené Brown
UNLOCKING US WITH BRENÉ BROWN: TARANA BURKE AND BRENÉ ON BEING SEEN AND HEARD
In this episode Burke and Brown discuss Burke's theory of “empowerment through empathy” and the possibility of changing the way the world thinks and talks about sexual violence, consent, and social justice.
Next, a how-to… as some of us struggle with giving and receiving empathy - this may help
EMPATHY - HOW TO FEEL AND RESPOND TO THE EMOTIONS OF OTHERS
FROM HELPGUIDE.ORG
Empathy helps you see things from another person’s perspective, sympathize with their emotions, and build stronger relationships—at work, school, and in your personal life. Here’s how to become more empathetic.
Next, our book selection is a really great one!
BY DOLEN PERKINS-VALDEZ
A woman learns the astonishing truth of her family’s ties to a vanished American Kingdom in this riveting new novel. Inspired by true events, Happy Land is a transporting multi-generational novel about the stories that shape up and the dazzling courage it takes to dream.
Finally, a my favorite film of 2024, enjoy!
STARRING ANDRÉ HOLLAND & AUDRA DAY, DIRECTED & WRITTEN BY TITUS KAPHAR
"Exhibiting Forgiveness" is a film exploring forgiveness, empathy, and the complex dynamics within families grappling with trauma and addiction, particularly in the context of a father and son's strained relationship.The film highlights how forgiveness, empathy, and understanding can be transformative, even in the face of difficult pasts.
YOUR "I DESERVE" AFFIRMATION RITUAL
Empathy begins at home, with you. Before we extend compassion outward, we must first offer it inward. This self-love and self-care ritual is designed to soften the inner critic, hold space for your feelings, and honor you.
SELF-COMPASSION JOURNAL PROMPT - Write : A moment this week you were hard on yourself, when write a empathetic response to yourself in the voice of a best friend
EMPATHY ALTAR MOMENT - Light your affirmation candle, I recommend rest or peace, and sit in the glow for a few minutes and place a hand over your heart. Let this be a moment of simply being—no fixing, no judging. Just being.
SOULFUL SOUNDTRACK - Play music that mirrors your feelings today. Not to "change your mood" but to honor it. Feel what needs to be felt. Cry, sway, sing, breathe. Let empathy flow through sound.
You deserve to be met with empathy—by yourself and by the world around you. May this week be a soft reminder that your feelings are valid, your story matters, and you are worthy of deep care.
You'll be hearing more from me soon. Promise.
Tamara Charese
As always, affirmations from previous weeks are available here
Leave a comment