Go back to: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Day 15 [Haven’t taken the IN AWE 21-Day Challenge? Join here.]
Welcome to Day 16 of the IN AWE 21-Day Challenge! Today we spark inspiration, meaning and joy by embracing EMPATHY.
CHALLENGE: On day 15 we talked about accepting ourselves. Today, we focus on accepting others.
INSPIRATION: A few years ago a video was shared with me and I have not stopped thinking about it. “World Apart: An Experiment” is a Heineken commercial and a real-world example of empathetic listening in action. Take a few minutes to watch:
ACTION: Send this video to a loved one who has a different view than you on a hot topic (politics, religion, etc.). Include in your text or email: “I care about you, I’d like to have a beer via FaceTime (or whatever tool you are using to connect while social distancing) and discuss [topic that you disagree on].”
This one may take a day or two to happen – so send the invitation now and come back to share about your experience after in the comments below or on social media, tagging me and using #InAwe.
My friends, today is your day! Live IN AWE.
John O’Leary
Did you know? The 21-Day IN AWE Challenge is inspired by John’s new book IN AWE. Order your copy + see all the fun behind the scenes at ReadInAwe.com.
9 replies on “In Awe 21-Day Challenge – Day 16”
I have different points of view with my mom about education. It was weird talk when I refused everything she said. She always repeats “you have to/ mast/should”. But I’m convinced that only I can define what I really should do. There is no rules in life.
I used empathetic method and I understood her opinion. And after that I managed to explain my opinion. So far we have no argument about this
Empathy – Waiting for response.
I thought this was an interesting video. I think it would be great to use in a discussion group. At the moment I’m not sure who I would send it to. I agree with a previous post that the conversation would be more engaging in person.
I almost completed the In Awe 21 Day Challenge. I have to say I got through 20 of the days, except this one.
I often sit back during hot topics and try not to weigh in on either side. In fact, those closest to me tease me when hot topics are in discussion. They ask me if I am going to retrieve a stick, so the person who has the stick is allowed to speak without any interruptions (yup…I did that one time).
I believe everyone has their own perspectives, beliefs, morals, judgments, etc., which leaves me to listen to their reasons without speaking for or against them. I consider myself non confrontational and it can be a strength but also a weakness of mine. That’s why I was unable to complete this challenge.
I have wrestled in my mind on how I would present a topic with someone I have a close relationship with. I believe it should happen naturally and not rehearsed. If a topic should come up in which we are on different sides of the subject matter, my hope is to listen, bring forth my reasoning without the fear of being rebuked or passing on judgment.
I want to thank you, John, for these 21 days. You got me out of my comfort zone and I feel grateful for the take always! Cheers!
I shared this excellent video with my brother. I am not quite sure if he got the double sense here… I wrote him that I would love to have a beer with him to discuss. He replied that He also would like to have a beer with me and that it was a nice video…
Love this!
I feel that doing this is electronically went differently than in person – less effective but still useful. I feel I may have frustrated the person more which was disheartening. This was in regards to hatred towards our president.
Jill, thank you for sharing and for courageously having this conversation. The feedback is helpful because we certainly don’t want to set anyone up for difficulties if this doesn’t work well digitally. Perhaps reach back out, with a simple, “I love you and wanted to have that conversation because I care so much about you. If it came across any other way, I apologize and hope we can try again when we aren’t tied to conversing only over technology!” Keep us posted and thanks for living inspired, my friend. J
As much as I love this message and the intent, this is one Challenge I’m not going to do. There is too much tension in my world right now and too many people making noise and no one wants to listen. We *need* this empathy, I agree, but my emotional well being can’t take a conversation like this right now.