Kindness, Activism, Ego, and Social Skills | Mickey Z.

[Tace]

Photo credit: Mickey Z.

Mickey Z. -- World News Trust

April 23, 2015

“The first step in the revolution is eye contact.”

- Alicen Grey

Every now and then, we get a reminder of just how far we have to go… of just how much work lies ahead of us. I recently had such a moment when, while perusing a fitness journal, I came across some research being done at the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE).

The first reality check was that we need a “center” to focus on compassion and altruism. From there, I read about work being done by two M.D.’s, Lloyd Dean and James Doty, which showed that “when patients are treated with kindness -- when there is an effort made to get to know them, empathize with them, communicate with them, listen to them and respond to their needs” -- it can lead to the following outcomes:

--faster healing of wounds
--reduced pain
--reduced anxiety
--reduced blood pressure
--shorter hospital stays

Dean and Doty also found that the doctors, nurses, and caregivers who provide the kind treatment benefit as well. “A kinder work environment helps employees feel more engaged and less exhausted, which is incredibly important to caregivers who often work long and unpredictable hours in high-pressure jobs,” they explain.

This is usually the cue for someone (like me) to rant on the myriad factors (from capitalism to religion to technology and beyond) behind a culture so warped that the value of fundamental social skills is breaking news. Next, I’d smoothly segue into a plea for more activism. After all, who better than activists to lead the way when it comes to empathy and compassion and altruism and the all-important community?

Right?

(insert sad trombone here)

more

http://worldnewstrust.com/kindness-activism-ego-and-social-skills-mickey-z

[BlancheSplanchnik]

1. kindness....my philosophy

The foundation of Buddhist practice, too.

Thanks, great read!

[Tace]

2. BlancheSplanchnik: Mickey's Great

I wish I were as virtuous in my actions. --Tace