August Character Word of the Month: Empathy
1. What Is Empathy?
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of someone else. It’s not just about feeling sorry for someone—that’s sympathy. Empathy is putting yourself in their shoes and imagining how they feel. In wrestling, that could mean understanding what a teammate is going through after a tough loss, or recognizing when an opponent might be injured or discouraged.
2. Why Empathy Matters in Wrestling
Wrestling is a one-on-one sport, but it’s also a team sport. The relationships you build—teammates, coaches, even opponents—are shaped by how well you treat people. Empathy helps you:
Build stronger bonds with teammates because you listen and care.
Compete with respect, remembering your opponent is a person with their own challenges and dreams.
Be a better leader, because you can motivate and encourage in a way that connects with others.
3. A Wrestling Example
Imagine your teammate just lost a match they really wanted to win. Instead of saying, “You should’ve worked harder,” empathy means thinking, How would I feel if that happened to me? Then you might say, “I know that was tough—you gave it your all. Let’s figure out what we can work on together for next time.”
4. How to Practice Empathy This Week
Listen more than you speak—really hear what someone is saying.
Pay attention to body language—sometimes people’s actions show more than their words.
Encourage others—whether they win or lose.
Ask yourself—“How would I feel if I were in their shoes?”
Closing Thought:
In wrestling, you battle your opponent on the mat—but off the mat, empathy turns opponents into friends and teammates into family. The best wrestlers aren’t just tough; they care.