About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

E is for EMPATHY

Empathy is the ability to identify yourself with the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another, which for a large part comes from the knowledge you have of yourself. If you know your own feelings well, then you can relate to others and understand them. Along with empathy comes compassion and together they create a key cornerstone in genuine human relationships. Here is my poem on Empathy:

Empathy
Empathy is a gentle blue.
It looks like pain shared by two.
It sounds like a crackling fire that warms.
It smells like after spring rainstorms.
It tastes like a cup of lemon tea.
It feels like someone hugging me.
Empathy is the key to equality.


ABC Wednesday is the brainchild of Denise Nesbitt and her exuberant team of exhilarating assistants. Click here to join in the fun or to see other contributions.

33 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

Always thought of you as an empathetic sort.
ROG, ABC Wednesday

Liz Hinds said...

Ummm, nice.

nancygrayce said...

Like the poem! I can see that you're empathetic....caring so much for others and feeling their pain!

Leslie: said...

Gee thanks, Roger!

Leslie: said...

Ah, Nancy, you're so sweet - but thank you so much. I wish I could do so much more for the less fortunate.

Shrinky said...

I believe this quality is essential for our society to function - thankfully, I also believe most of us possess it (in varying degrees). The rest are sociopaths! Another great poem Leslie.

Lisa said...

Lovely poem! And paired with the painting, I read so much more into the word.

Carver said...

Wonderful poem. Empathy is so important for mutual understanding.

mrsnesbitt said...

Lovely Leslie - yes I too see you as an empathetic soul - so pleased to have got to know you through blogging! Excellent eh? Exactly! Thanks too for the continued support you give to the ABC team.
Denise
ABC Team

MaR said...

Beautiful post for E!!

E is for essential

Sylvia K said...

Yes, your empathy does show! Lovely post for the E Day, Leslie, as always! Hope your week is off to a great start! Enjoy!

Sylvia

photowannabe said...

Just as the other commenters have said. I see you as empathetic too.
The poem is wonderful and gave me beautiful images to think about.
I love the poem scheme each week and eagerly look forward to the next one.

Nanka said...

A very elegant poem enjoyed reading it!! The last line says it all!! Excellent!!

Gigi Ann said...

I agree with all the above, it is a lovely poem.

EG CameraGirl said...

Well-written, Leslie. Empathy is a great E-word. :)

Reader Wil said...

Brilliant, Leslie! Empathy doesn't need words. Your poem however describes the feeling of empathy very well.

Shooting Parrots said...

I certainly agree with the last line -- empathy is the key to equality.

Berowne said...

Bartender, another round of empathy - for everyone!

Tumblewords: said...

Very nice - I believe you are well endowed with empathy!

Kim, USA said...

I read somewhere that empathy is more deeper than compassion. It may true or not but we all need empathy to share to every one. Happy Tuesday!

Chubskulit Rose said...

I would agree with others, I can tell that you are very empathetic person just by the way you write and leave comments on blogs. I love the poem too Leslie!

Wanda said...

Oh Leslie, this is truly awesome. The pictures could not be more perfect for your inspiring poem.

Meryl said...

Beautiful post. I loved the verse with the image...beautiful.

Hildred said...

Lovely post Leslie - your poem describes empathy beautifully.

The Poet said...

Hello.
Lovely post, Leslie.
I love the images you conjure up in your poem. Great image too.

Thanks for sharing & for your honesty over at my blog.

Evening Wind

Rajesh said...

Wonderfully said.

Dhemz said...

wow! I like your choice...interesting!

Francisca said...

Ooh, I do believe this Excellent Empathy poem is the most Esteemed thus far, Leslie!

{krista} said...

What a beautiful, empathetic poem.

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Empathy and compassion. Just think how different this world would be if there was an overabundance of empathy and compassion!

Linda said...

Lovely poem. I especially like the photo. That separation between the two outstretched fingers —besides being painted by a master—is one of the most daring and dramatic moments that an artist has ever captured. You can feel the tension—I especially felt that when I looked up at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Chronicles of Illusions said...

What a lovely thought this is

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

A lovely poem and so true.