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It seems like everyone likes to take a crack at the “carnies.” We like to make fun of how they look. We like to look down at them and their “lowly” life. We mock them, criticize them, and make them the butt of our jokes.
The last I checked, they counted as humans. Two arms, two legs, a working brain, and everything else that makes them the same as you and me.
However, why do we lack compassion for the “carnies?” Why do we make fun of them? Why?
It’s not just the “carnies.” It’s the people who have a different color of skin than us. It’s the people who belong to a different religion than us. People who work a different type of job from us. People who make a different income than us. People who are attracted to different people than us. It’s the people who dress differently than us.
I’ve noticed a correlation between the size of the distance we place between ourselves and others and the magnitude of the lack of compassion and empathy for others. The more “different” we view ourselves as another, the less compassion we have for them.
Here’s a great example of that:
Source: motifake.com
And, another:
Source: motifake.com
Here are three easy steps we can follow to decrease the amount of “distance” we place between ourselves and others to find more compassion and empathy in our hearts.
Try hard to find ways that we are similar to others. By seeking to find the commonalities we share with other people, the more we will see others as, well, humans. Just like us. When we can look to others as brothers and sisters, we will be more likely to love and exercise compassion and understanding for others.
There is also a corresponding relationship between empathy and wonder. The more you “wonder” what it’s like to be another person, and experiencing what they are experiencing, the more empathy you develop for that person. It’s that neuronal “mirroring” that occurs. The more you “become” the other person, the more you’ll develop emotions within you that help you understand what emotions the other person may be experiencing as well. The great news is that our brains are highly developed to perform this task. We just have to use it more often, especially when we are interacting with someone who we may view as very different from us.
Its been observed in scientific studies also that when people lump others into “groups” it allows for the interaction to be de-humanized. Just think of what happened to the Jews during World War II. They were put into a “group.” As a result, they were de-humanized and slaughtered. That’s because people no longer are people. They are non-human members of a group. They become less than human. This is exactly what’s happening when we categorize people as “carnies.” We are “grouping” them, and therefore they become “de-humanized.” Then, they become easy pickings for our jabs, insults, and ridicule.
We are here for much more than criticizing others. We are here for great purpose. Truth to be told, when we stoop down to this level of behavior, we don’t feel good about it. Something doesn’t sit well within us. That’s because our true heart knows that we are compassionate and loving. When we don’t act in this manner, there is inner conflict. We’re not at peace.
How did you like this article? Did it speak to you? Was it helpful? Please let me know how you felt about it in the comments section below. I promise to respond if you do!
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It’s been so long since I’ve been to a carnival. I never really thought about the fact that carnies have a bad reputation, but I get the point from what you’ve shared here. And, I feel very moved by your call to let go of labels and see everyone as deserving of our love and compassion.
Thanks for stopping by Sandra. Welcome back from your digital break, once again! 🙂
That’s what I was getting at — to stop using “labels” to define people. We’re all people, and once we start realizing there are more similarities than differences between us, the sooner we can put an end to all the violence, hate, and other negative side effects of such.
I’m delighted you came by, and please do again. You’re welcome any time!
You are totally on with this one and it definitely applies to many groups. At our core we are all the same. It doesn’t matter where you live, how much you make or what you look like. We are all connected and need to treat each other as such.
My Mother and her family grew up as migrant workers living in cars and driving from field to field. There was such a stigma to that and she felt it daily. It is amazing how much of those feelings of disconnect I inherited. I am fortunate to have found a way to heal those emotions through my energy techniques. So many people are never free from that baggage.
I find the best thing is to act the same way with people perceived as different, as you would anyone. Look them in the eyes, joke with them and smile… that takes many walls down. Compassion, respect and kindness…
Great advice Victor! I try to send compassion and unconditional to everyone, even people I don’t know and don’t have the same kind of lifestyle. But I need reminders, too. Thanks!