Empathy is an invaluable skill when it comes to taking the power out of bullying. According to a 2014 study, schools where students reported having more empathy for their classmates had fewer instances of bullying. Thankfully, empathy is something we can all work on. This week, read, or even write, a story about someone who is very different from you. Maybe they go to a school on the opposite side of the country from you, or maybe they have radically different political views. Maybe it’s a fictional character, someone in the public eye, or even someone from history. Taking on the viewpoint, even briefly, of people we imagine to be different from us can increase our empathy. BONUS: When you’ve finished, share your story with a friend, and encourage them to try it, too.
Shanahan for Ojai 