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Empathy in Action: Transform Your Perspective
Explore the transformative power of empathy in action. This concept highlights how simple acts of understanding and care can create profound changes in life. By practicing empathy in action, you can improve relationships, foster compassion, and build a more connected community. Dive into the essence of empathy in action and its impact on personal and social well-being.
Aim High, Even When It Feels Impossible
Motivational speakers love to talk about setting SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. And sure, those matter. But I’ve always believed something a little different: We can’t get everything we want, but if we don’t want it in the first place, we’ll never get any of it.* Think of basketball: a player may only make 30% of the shots they take… but they make 0% of the shots they don’t take . That’s how I approach my own goals: I set them high—s
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
What is empathetic listening?
W hen I first started teaching healthcare students about empathy, I quickly realized that listening is so much more than just hearing words. It’s about truly understanding the person in front of you—their fears, their hopes, their story. That’s why mastering active listening strategies is so critical. These skills don’t just improve conversations; they build trust, deepen connections, and create care that truly matters. If you want to foster genuine empathy and enhance your c
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
The Best of Empathy in Healthcare
In early September, 2006, about six weeks following a “routine” brain tumor removal, I was transferred from the surgical hospital to a rehabilitation facility. I had regular occupational, physical and speech therapy six days per week. My speech therapist, who exemplified the expression of empathy in healthcare, used methods to stimulate my swallowing reflex. She swabbed the back of my throat and my uvula (the thing that hangs down in the back of the throat) with cold, lemon-f
Shari Bookstaff
3 min read
Expressing Empathy: From Feeling to Action
Every time I present on empathy, I walk away with new insights. One truth remains constant: empathy is more than “putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.” It’s not just a feeling—it’s an action. And that action can be simple, powerful, and transformative. Rethinking Empathy We often hear that empathy means imagining how someone else feels. But let’s be honest—that’s not always realistic. Can we truly know what it’s like to live with chronic pain, fear, or sadness if we ha
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
My Experience at the Phoenix Walkathon for Brain Tumor Research
A Unique Opportunity to Share My Story I just returned from Phoenix, where I attended a walkathon in support of brain tumor research. I didn’t go as a walker; I went as a bookseller. The event’s sponsors had read my book and graciously invited me to sell books during the event. My table was located near the silent auction (where I bid on—and lost—a chocolate basket). I expected this event to bring together 4,000 members of my target audience all in one place. To prepare, I in
Shari Bookstaff
3 min read
Stroke Network Volunteer (originally from April 2010)
I added a volunteer position to my life this week. I am the new News Administrator for the Stroke Network. The Stroke Network comprises a network of websites geared toward supporting stroke survivors, and loved ones of stroke survivors. The creator of the Stroke Network contacted me through Facebook and asked if I would be willing to take on this position. They needed someone with an academic background. Mostly what I do as News Administrator is choose articles to be shared
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
Mirror, Mirror
<p>Mirror, mirror on the wall: who’s the fairest one of all? Not me! And probably not you! Ok, maybe YOU! I started a new research project this week to further explore exercises that are beneficial to brain-injured people. In this study, participants put their weaker hand into a box that has a mirror on the […]</p>
Shari Bookstaff
1 min read
Nastiness
<p>Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do good people do bad things? Why does Radio Shack ask for your phone number when you buy batteries? These are some of life’s unanswerable questions. My daughter says that there are four types of people in the world: people who are nice, people who are smart, […]</p>
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
Cranberries
<p>Someone recently asked me if I teach all these classes because I have to or because I want to. Isn’t that a question that plagues everyone as they get ready to go to work each morning? This semester I’m adding an online section of Marine Biology to my schedule, and soon, I’m planning to add […]</p>
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
Feedback
<p>My friend Paul, who hadn’t seen me in a while, approached me at the gym and told me he didn’t say “hi” at first because he didn’t recognize me! He said that I not only looked different, but I was moving differently as well. He made a point of telling me that it wasn’t a […]</p>
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
July 26
<p>I am writing this on July 26, 2010. I can’t help but think about this day, four years ago. I woke up feeling hopeful that my pain would soon be over. I had been feeling sick for months, and I had every reason to believe that my surgery would be successful. My dad and step-mom, […]</p>
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
Whale Watching
<p>The boat capsized and we were all tossed into the ocean. Able-bodied people were, of course, able to don life-preservers, but I was unable to put one on myself. So, there I was-unable to swim, unable to tread water-nearly going under the cold, green water when a huge mass of muscle came from below and […]</p>
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
Home Town Visit
<p>I refuse to write about the DMV again, so suffice it to say: I ended up retaking the road test, I passed, I’ll probably have to retake it every two years, and, yes, they’re still dementors! I’ve recently returned to San Francisco after an interesting week in Milwaukee. I had a chance to reconnect with […]</p>
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
Altruism? or Not!
<p>Altruism. What is it and why is it a necessary part of animal societies? I have taught courses that included animal behavior during most of my teaching career. You’d be surprised at the altruism that takes place in non-human, animal societies. Vampire bats share food (yes, blood) with each other, vervet monkeys shriek alarm calls to warn other monkeys of danger, and honey bees […]</p>
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
Government Treatment? Private Company Treatment?
<p>Lady at Social Security Office: “Since it’s been more than two years since your divorce, you’ll need to provide additional identification to change your name. You need a document with your maiden name and your date of birth.” Cindy: “How about her birth certificate?” Lady: “No Ma’am, that only proves she was born, it can’t be used as identification.” […]</p>
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
Wicked!
<p>Last week, I took Cindy to see Wicked for her birthday. We got the tickets a couple of months ago, and it was a surprise for Cindy. Keeping it a secret was difficult, but I just avoided any talk of the theatre, the City, musicals, or The Wizard of Oz! Our theatre-going group included my […]</p>
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
Top Ten List
<p>After last week’s “Karma” post, one of the comments (thanks Bryant!) said that I have great karma because I have persevered and that I am living my life, teaching, and raising kids. Everyone goes through tough times in life, and maybe it’s better not to think of “karma” as something that comes back to you, […]</p>
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
Karma?
<p>I don’t believe on karma, but I do believe in ghosts. If I believed in karma, I would wonder what the hell I did to deserve this. It is said that as long as you’ve got your health, you have got everything. Well, what if I don’t have my health, then what have I got? When I get really […]</p>
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
DMV!!!
<p>I went to the DMV today to try to get my driver’s license renewed. Simple, right? For me, it’s more complicated than brain surgery! My adventure with the DMV began last October (2009) when I misplaced my license and had to get a duplicate. The form asked if I had had any medical conditions occur in the past five years. Since my abnormalities […]</p>
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
How old AM I?
<p>“It’s not the years, honey, it’s the mileage.” This classic line by Indiana Jones is going through my mind a lot this week, as I have a birthday looming. I’m going to be, I dunno, forty-something. On paper, it’s really not that old, but, seriously, there isn’t a part of my body that doesn’t feel old. […]</p>
Shari Bookstaff
2 min read
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