Dear Changemakers,
I believe that change starts with oneself. It starts with the belief that we have power to change ourselves and to change our world to be what we want it to be. I come across this belief so often when people tell me they won’t take positive action
to transform society because they feel they have no power. Most of the time it seems to be a justification for not taking action, as I think underneath we are all aware of our impact.
We are powerful! Time and again, I’ve seen how fast people transform when they change their beliefs about what they can do and who they are. We truly create our realities, and once we change our beliefs we can open a world of possibility.
Empathy app was founded based on that very possibility and a belief that we CAN impact our world. Since our future is dependent on what we are doing and who we are RIGHT NOW, then there is no reason to wait and see what happens. We MUST create what
we want.
Empathy App exists in the world that we want to live in.
We have had enough of “dead conversations,” alienation, loneliness, and uninspired work. Enough! We WANT a
world where interactions between people are absolutely genuine and inspired because they resonate with the truth of their being. There is acceptance for everyone’s unique contribution and style, which further encourages even more authenticity and vulnerability.
Those with the most empathic skills are given the opportunities and means to share their gifts with others while those who have been deprived of the empathic gifts they need can seek out their abundance. People are bold, brave, individualistic, compassionate,
with high emotional IQ’s and the ability to navigate interpersonal conflicts constructively.
One of the treasures of empathy is it’s gift as a tool to transform negative conflict into positive and creative change. Change that comes from empathy shows true respect and uplifts the participants by honoring their relationship. If we can
recode the way we interact with conflict by exploring what empathy can illuminate
first, before we react aggressively or defensively, then maybe, just maybe, we can live in a world beyond hate and violence. Conflict is inevitable, violence is not.
So as you can see at empathy app we are committed to not just giving the highest standard empathy possible, but changing the culture at a fundamental level.
If the message of empathy and our mission resonates with you, then you must ACT NOW. Take action on your belief that you do have power in the world and know that others will do the same.
If you are here on this page it means you really care about the world and you are ready to do what it takes. It is YOU, the people who take action on their vision that are the real changemakers.
Together we can do this. Let’s raise at least $65,000 so we can have this app become a permanent part of our lives in the world that we want. Contribute Now, and tell everyone you know why they should too.
In Gratitude, Determination, and Bliss,
Peijman Kouretchian, Mica Stumpf and Mair Alight
Website: empathyapp.org
What is empathy and why do YOU need it?
It’s a bit tricky to write about empathy because it’s simply something that needs to be experienced to be fully understood. Once you do experience it, you may find yourself realizing how much it was missing in your life. Empathy is a fundamental human
need. We are hard-wired for true connection, even though our modern lives seem to encourage alienation and escapism. Authentic connection to ourselves and others nourishes us in a way nothing else can.
Results of empathy:
*Relaxation and stress release
*Genuine connection and understanding
*Support and care for whatever it is you are doing
*Emotional Clarity
*Clarity about your work and purpose in the world
*Self acceptance
*Openness to others
*Sense of oneness emerges as you viscerally experience the fundamental similarities we all have at the level of human needs.
The Science of Empathy
Positive results of empathy:
*Releases oxytocin: dubbed the “Happy Hormone.” The more oxytocin you have, the happier you will be.
*Reduces anxiety and stress.
*Enlivens different parts of the brain often left dormant (especially the right hemisphere), leading to a higher emotional IQ and thus intelligence overall.
Recent scientific studies show that a lack of empathy is actually worse for your health than:
*not exercising
*obesity
*excessive consumption of alcohol
*and smoking 15 cigarettes a day!
We need to end the cycle of disconnection that is destroying us!
To learn more about the science of empathy, check out
this blog we wrote!
Who are we and what led us here?
Peijman Kouretchian and Mica Stumpf met at a nonviolence training for trainers in January of 2013, since that first meeting they have been working together to create more
empathy in the world and live their passion for building a nonviolent future.
Mica is a UC Berkeley Graduate in Peace and Conflict Studies and both she and Peijman have been involved in Peace Work for many years. Both are certified Nonviolence Trainers and have
taught everywhere from Haiti to the county jails in San Francisco. In 2013 Peijman played drums for 24 hours straight to raise awareness (empathy) about tortured prisoners on hunger strike protesting inhumane conditions. That same year Mica spent six weeks
living with a Peace Team in Jeju Island, South Korea, fighting the construction of a US Navy Base. Peijman and Mica also started their own nonprofit (emergencypeaceteams.org)
that teaches nonviolent conflict intervention skills and works to create a community-based nonviolent alternative to the police.
Mair Alight, our Chief Empathy Trainer has been teaching needs-based empathy classes for many years. In 2002 she founded the San Quentin Prison Nonviolent Communication Teaching
Team and in 2005 she was certified as an International Trainer with the Center for Nonviolent Communication. During that time she has also developed in depth empathy trainings which we are now using to train our empathizers. Her passion for empathy has led
her to create many groups that spread empathy wherever it's needed including prisons, schools, workshops, and online classes.
Some Feedback From Our Recent 30 Day Trial:
*“Anonymity helps me express myself without feeling judgment.”
*“To be truly heard by a stranger is a unique and freeing experience.”
*“The care and warmth helps me to remember self-kindness.”
*“I feel more connected to the truth of what’s going on for me.”
*“I think this would be amazing to have all the time and international. I really think this would help my emotional wellbeing a ton. Thank you for making this happen!”
*“I learned that receiving good empathy enables and inspires me to give it.”
Check out our blog post:
Why Pure Empathy is Different from Therapy and Calling Friends
How Empathy App works
It's very simple:
*First, you log into the app.
*You pick the empathizer you want.
*You get the empathy you need.
*Afterwards you are invited to contribute.
How
you can help:
*Personally contribute RIGHT NOW. Each person has a unique financial situation and we ask that people contribute what they can as long as they can give joyfully. Some can give $10,000 joyfully, and others $50.
Even $5 shows you care by adding to the number of people contributing and puts your energy into the project.
*Share this page via facebook, twitter, and email it to your friends!
*Be a part of the Empathy Challenge, and upload your own video answering the question: what is one story of a time when empathy made an impact in your life?
*Call up some friends and tell them personally why they should contribute to this. 1 on 1 connection-- oh yeah!
*Write a blog about us / interview us and share it here.