Courage and Empathy PDF

Sister Anna A.C. BA Sem. I VAC Unit - 1  Courage is when you to face danger or pain whether you are afraid or not. To have courage is to be brave. Courage is choosing to do the right thing, specially when it is difficult.  It is the Ability to Confront Fear, Pain, Risk, Danger, Un...

Sister Anna A.C. BA Sem. I VAC Unit - 1  Courage is when you to face danger or pain whether you are afraid or not. To have courage is to be brave. Courage is choosing to do the right thing, specially when it is difficult.  It is the Ability to Confront Fear, Pain, Risk, Danger, Uncertainty, or Intimidation (threats).  Courage is the mental muscle that conquers fear. Courage is not something you are born with, it must be developed.  How to develop courage 1. Develop Faith and Confidence ✓ Faith in yourself ✓ Faith in a higher power ✓ Faith that things will work out. ✓ Maintain a positive attitude ✓ Visualize a favourable outcome. ✓ Self-confidence and positive thinking. 2. Know your strengths instead of weakness ✓ Try to remind yourselves of the things that you can do well. ✓ Look at the bright side of your life. ✓ Look around you and notice what you do have, such as family, friends, health, education, etc. 3. Start Working on Solution ✓ Now that you become brave enough to tear down your defenses and to look your problems straight in the eye its time to find a solution for these problems. 4. Be Persistent ✓ Life with its multiple problems can be rounds for victory for the self–determined, self– motivated, and hard-working individuals.  What is Self - Confidence ❖A feeling of trust/belief in one’s abilities, qualities, and judgment. ❖Self Confidence means ‘Trust in ourselves with full of inner strength. ❖These are our means and tools to make our dream or purpose come true.  Types of Self Confidence Low Self Confidence Over Confidence Optimal Self Confidence  1. Low Self Confidence ❖Governing your behaviour based on what other people think. ❖Staying in our comfort zone, fearing failure and so avoid taking risks. ❖“Life has nothing more to offer me” This statement is another mistake that people make.  2. Optimal Self Confidence Doing what you believe to be right, even if others mock or criticize you for it. Make decisions with Absolute Confidence. Make crisis–time decisions with swift and total clarity. Stop beating yourself up about past choices. Listen to what you want instead of needing others’ approval.  3. Over Confidence Often we come across people who are self- confident i.e. egotistic and stubborn. Generally, these people have the so-called ‘Superiority Complex’.  How to Develop Self Confidence i. Identify your negative thoughts ii. Turn your negative thoughts into positive thoughts iii. Allow positive thoughts to occur more often than negative thoughts iv. Maintain a positive support network v. Eliminate reminders of your negativity vi. Identify your talents vii. Take pride in yourself viii. Accept compliments gracefully ix. Look in the mirror and smile  Advantages of Self Confidence i. A greater sense of self – worth ii. Greater enjoyment in life and in activities iii. Freedom from self – doubt iv. Greater strength and capabilities v. Freedom from fear and anxiety. vi. Freedom from social anxiety vii. More peace of mind and less stress viii. More energy and motivation to act ix. Have a more enjoyable time interacting with other people at social gatherings. x. Grater success xi. More beneficial and enjoyable interactions with others  Empathy The act of becoming other – oriented It is the act of moving away from our selves and connection with another human being. It’s about walking in their shoes and authentically understanding their struggles. It is not sympathy.  Difference between: i. Pity: Things are bad for you, you seem as though you need help ii. Sympathy: I am sorry for your sadness, I wish to help iii. Emotional Contagion: You feel sad and now I feel sad iv. Empathy: I recognize how you feel v. Apathy: I don’t care how you feel  Difference between Sympathy and Empathy 1. Sympathy involves 1. Empathy involves putting yourself in the understanding other person's shoes from your own and understanding perspective. WHY they may have these particular feelings. How to Listen with Empathy i. Willingness to let the other parties dominate the discussion. ii. Attentiveness to what is being said and care not to interrupt. iii. Use of open-ended questions. iv. Sensitivity to the emotions being expressed. v. Ability to reflect back to the other party the substance and feelings being expressed.  The Benefits of Empathic Listening Build trust and respect. Enables the disputants to release their emotions. Reduces tensions Encourages the surfacing of information. Creates a safe environment that is conducive to collaborative problem-solving.  Guidelines for Empathic Listening 1. Be attentive 2. Be interested 3. Be alert and not distracted 4. Create a positive atmosphere through non-verbal behavior 5. Don’t ask a lot of questions 6. Act like a mirror – reflect back what the speaker is saying, thinking or feeling 7. Don’t change the subject or move in a new direction 8. Don’t interrogate 9. Don’t teach 10. Don’t give advice