Having worked in education for over 30 years, I consider myself to be one of the luckiest people on the planet, and I look forward to continuing my work until I am in my 70s.
What is it about what I am doing that gives me such joy? How does one achieve professional satisfaction?
Stanford University psychologist Kelly McGonigal may have found the answer in her study of positive empathy, which is basically sharing other people's joy.
As a teacher, this is actually very easy to do. Children are full of joy, laughter and curiosity. When we share these with them, we feel happy as well. It could be something as simple as wishing a child a happy birthday, complimenting them on a success or sharing the joy of a moment of enlightenment. In class discussions, for example, I regularly find that students come up with insights that have eluded me and that is always a thrill.
One of the greatest joys of teaching is running into former students who tell me about what they are doing in life and about their accomplishments. I often tell my current classes of how I look forward to hearing their own stories because I know that I will.
In addition, I witness the good in my students on a regular basis and I have learned to point it out. They do so many kind things for each other. They admit when they make a mistake. They persevere when dealing with challenges. They are truly inspirational and I allow myself to be inspired.
It was very affirming for me to read that these are also some of the key findings in McGonigal's research. They explain why through many years in a very challenging profession, one filled with budget cuts, long hours of marking and planning, ever-changing curriculums and numerous other stress points, I still look forward to going to work every morning.
On the other side, it has also been found that as humans, we are designed to feel the pain of others. We cringe when we see someone getting injured. We naturally respond with empathy when we see others in stressful situations. These are all good, especially when they motivate us to take action to help others in need. They can, however, have a detrimental impact on us if we are not careful. Some would suggest consciously blocking the negative emotions of others, especially in the workplace.
McGonigal emphasizes, however, that "positive empathy" also keeps us energized. The challenge is that it does not necessarily happen as automatically as feeling the negative emotions of others; it needs to be consciously cultivated. There are several ways that this can be done.
Interestingly, one of the most effective ways is to spend time with children, allowing ourselves to embrace their joy and laughter. This would certainly explain why many teachers and child care workers are so happy in their professions.
There are other things that we can do as well, like enjoying the playfulness of animals. We can also appreciate the beauty of art and athletics simply for the joy of seeing them done well. In addition, we can allow others to do nice things for us, not just for the satisfaction that it brings to us, but for how happy it makes others to give to us.
Finally, we can make a conscious effort to see the good in others. Sharing compliments also makes us feel good. Sometimes we may feel a pang of jealousy but if we can progress through this and share a sincere compliment, we begin to develop a positive habit that often leads to positive progress in our own lives.
Some professions, like teaching, lead more easily into developing positive empathy, but it is still an attribute within the grasp every person. It has more to do with how we interact with others than what we do in our work.
As the English proverb states, "A joy that is shared is a joy made double."
Gerry Chidiac is a champion for social enlightenment, inspiring others to find their greatness in making the world a better place. For more, go to www.gerrychidiac.com.
