Empathy

I do not think that empathy, in its truest sense, could be considered a mental power, like its more popular cousin, telepathy. This sensing of different peoples moods around them is personally cued, and because of this, I would promote that it is more an ability to read the minute details in body language and physiology, as well as a possible sensitivity in pheromone identification.

What happens with the empath? Utilizing simple observational skills, the empath correctly identifies the telltale signs given in body language. The limb positioning, the flushness of the skin, the pace of the breathing, the pulse and heartbeat, the stance of the hair, the dilation of the pupil. All these things scream out reams of data that the average human simply ignores as unimportant, and does not notice. Often, the empath then assumes to create a perfect mimicry of the body language messages, be it in their brain or physically. Thus, by assuming the conditions upon themselves, they realize how they now feel by doing what you are doing, and hence-- can correctly identify the feelings and emotions associated.

Where things get really interesting is when you get the claims of empathy that are projections, or reach across incredibly vast distances, with no actual physical cues available.

Those are far rarer, and now, we must get into the realm of the mind.

A Goosebumps Story That Will Give You Goosebumps

So, the other day, my daughter, Autumn, who is 8 years old, and the inspiration for the Autumn Exchange Haiku I posted, asked me about goosebumps. Why? What for?

Now, in all her years, I've always given her a correct answer to the best of my knowledge, rather than some brush off quickie answer. As I go through the various details... pilomotor reflex caused by sympathetic nervous system reaction, in this case, exposure to cold, etc, etc. Then, I point out that one of Daddy's most disturbing experiences had to do with goosebumps.

"What was that?" she asked. Once I tell the story, she insists that I should share it on the blog. And so, here we are.

Evolution Calling...

Note to self:

Evolution: Not linear. Think gene sequencing and grouping. Virus causing cross contamination with gene sequences. Expression of radical leap mutation, due to newly introduced controllers and gene sequences. Reference: Bird/swine flu and bat flu.

This just might change how we group and view everything in biology.

I am definitely coming back to explore this further.

The Four Elements: A Definitive Guide to Successful Human Relations

It's an interesting proposition.

One that I have had both the pleasure of, and agony of, mulling over in my brain for many many years now. So, for the first time, I am going to attempt to write it all down. I have shared this with several people over the years, but never as an article, as I am doing now.

You see, we've been told by countless folks how we should interact with each other. "How to Win Friends and Influence People" and the like, for decades, have flooded our bookshelves, each promising to reveal secrets that will make us popular and powerful.

Some have very useful tips and techniques. Some are complete steaming piles of feel-good bullshit. None give us a measure, a yardstick, by which we may identify and recognize the health and strength of our inter-connectivity with the people that we share our experiences, and our very lives.

So, I will.