Empathy is a fascinating lens through which to view the world—it's what allows people to step outside their own experiences and understand the sacrifices others make, even when those choices might seem foreign.
Sacrifices come in many forms: parents giving up personal ambitions to prioritize their children, athletes enduring grueling training at the expense of their social lives, or researchers dedicating their lives to uncovering truths that may never be fully appreciated in their lifetimes. Each person approaches sacrifice differently, shaped by their values, circumstances, and resilience. Some find meaning in their sacrifices, seeing them as investments in a greater good, while others struggle under the weight, questioning if the trade-offs were worth it.
Empathy is the bridge between perspectives. It lets someone recognize the hidden costs in another's choices, even if they wouldn’t have made the same ones themselves. Have you been reflecting on a particular sacrifice—either yours or someone else's?