Ability to expand one empathetic potential
Ability to expand one empathetic potential comes along with leaving the comfort zone and also working on improving the moral universe. In the real world situation, empathy is the ability to step into other people's shoes and understand their opinions and feelings towards a particular issue. From a philosophical argument, everyone is entitled to a personal opinion or thinking hence respect for other is essential. Empathy is closely linked with diversity where the golden rule that states "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is most applicable. Understanding the human nature is a system embodied in the empathy circuit where scientist explain that if it is damaged, the ability of the brain to listen and react to other people's opinions might be affected.
Therefore, understanding others starts with the ability to discover their tastes and preferences.
Experience as an outsider
Houston is one of the most populated and diversified cities in America. The culture of the city is different from other areas in that more than a hundred languages are being spoken in the country, no specific race, among other significant disparities due to the prevailing immigration rates. Lately, I happened to attend a cultural show in one of the African American theatres. Being an Asian, I have been strictly brought up under different settings in line with attires, beliefs, gender roles among other practices. The primary reason for visiting the place is to help understand some of the differences that human beings have in line with practices and beliefs. The choice of the setting is based on the fact that we are from different cultures and communities. Some of the main differences that I noticed in their plays is the choice of music, literature, and traditional art. Our theatres are more deeply traditional than theirs with an example of women participation in the plays where the African Americans offer more room for their females.
From the visits, it is right to conclude that the world is pretty, from all directions. The members of the society are welcoming and have a friendly nature. The experience brought me into contact with many different people hence a better understanding of how people view life. The hospitality of the African Americans is one thing to be proud and sure about thus writing off the original thinking of racism. From experience, I learned that the society has dramatically changed to be able to accept each other's differences. During the visit, I was trying to maintain the feeling of an Asian lady in a mixed ethnic community that is made up of both African and American practices, but at times it is hard. The freedom to move, speak openly, interact, ask questions provides some extra feeling about a home in another culture. For someone visiting the theatre in future, it is essential first to write off the prior negatives thought about the place if no evidence is available. Education and immigration have changed the way people think, react or even relate to each other.
Developing empathy
The experience from visiting Houston is an object lesson in compassion in that leaving one's comfort zone facilitates the development of empathetic potential. First, interaction gives one the ability to listen and be vulnerable in that one can easily grasp the emotions of others and react effectively. Reflecting on my experience, it is not easy to interact with people of different cultures especially when the conversation needs to be rooted. However, listening is never enough but requires additional characteristic of understanding the message being conveyed. When people show respect for each other, they construct safe and predictable places in which they can live even in future. Secondly, interaction expands one's circle of empathy in that one overcomes the challenge of seeing the perspective of those with whom there is little connection. The circle is inclusive of the enemies, religious opponents, non-confirming workmates, deviant age mates among others.
Thirdly, leaving the comfort zone helps one to investigate the underlying feelings and intentions that people might have towards an issue. After putting oneself in someone else shoe, it is essential to dig a little deeper on some of the variations that might occur. Reflecting on the visit, it is probable that people might fail to interact with you not because they fear you or they are racist but because of the language barrier. Therefore, developing empathy requires gentle probing and encouraging other to open up on the hardships they might be undergoing. An aspect of genuine feeling and intentions should be portrayed to give an accurate picture of others.
Conclusion
It is essential for people to do away with the set of insecurities that might hinder them from interacting with others. The reason is that these fears often hold back the ability to express oneself and the true feelings that can be used in making a judgment. Developing a deep level of empathy starts with having a genuine interest in other people irrespective of the historical theories that revolve around their cultures.
