Everyday Canvas

Other People's Problems

Prompt:
"It is easier to solve other people's problems because you aren't emotionally involved."
Write about this in your Blog entry today.

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Do I sense a potential limitation in this quote, or not! I guess some emotional detachment can lead to a clearer perspective. On the other hand, it might also result in a lack of understanding or empathy. In other words, one may miss the emotional nuances of the others' situations.

This may be why, unless they really ask me for my advice, I try to hold myself back from solving other people's problems. I mean, by not being in their shoes, I would not lack any personal losses as the result of a possible bad advice, would I? Yet, my lack of personal stakes could also cut me some slack for thinking more clearly and making usable suggestions, too.

I guess that is why really good therapists, instead of putting on their advice-giving caps immediately, first listen a lot. Since emotions can cloud judgment, without emotional involvement, they can thus view the situation and their patient much more objectively.

Still, only a few of us are good therapists and offering empathy and a good listening ear would work much better than trying to solve someone else's problems. That is, if we think we are able to do just that.

After all, who says interpersonal dynamics and human psychology is easy to handle!


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