Caring is an independent primary variable. You have to care first before agreeing or disagreeing can mean anything. And to do that you have to have a surplus capacity to care beyond caring about yourself, by working the “caring muscle.”
Saved by Chubmeister 5000 and
It all starts with loving-kindness for oneself, which in turn becomes loving-kindness for others. As the barriers come down around our own hearts, we are less afraid of other people. We are more able to hear what is being said, see what is in front of our eyes, and work in accord with what happens rather than struggle against it.
genuinely trying to understand and appreciate others’ problems shows that you are not solely concerned with yourself.
If we want more moments of connection, we need to be more responsive to others.