Thought for the Week

Timothy D. Stein, MFT, CSAT

April 9, 2018

“One doesn’t have to operate with great malice to do great harm.  The absence of empathy and understanding are sufficient.” –Charles M. Blow

How many times have you said “It was not my intention for them to get hurt.”  That statement may be true and yet others suffered great harm all the same.  We cannot perfectly ensure others will not be harmed by our actions but we can minimize the possibility.  When we embrace empathy for others and attempt to understand their perspective and experience, we lessen the chance of doing great harm.  As addicts in recovery, we benefit from having a recovery community that can help us to explore the experiences of others and develop empathy.

When have I unintentionally harmed others?  When have I acted without empathy?  What gifts await me as I embrace empathy and understanding for others?