From Angel to Warrior: Using Empathy to Face Life’s Challenges

As we step into a new year, I find myself reflecting on the journey that has brought me here. This Christmas, I received a symbolic gift—not wrapped in paper and ribbons, but one that represents reclaiming my identity and moving forward with love and empathy.

On this first night of Chanukah, December 25, 2024, I dedicate this blog to Emma Lazarus, the remarkable Jewish poet whose words have inspired me for years, and to all the Jewish Radiant Empathy Angels who came before us.

The New Colossus: A Source of Strength and Compassion

Years ago, I visited the top of the World Trade Center, just a year before it was tragically destroyed. At the museum, I discovered Emma Lazarus’ sonnet, The New Colossus, inscribed on a plaque. Her words stopped me in my tracks.

Lazarus, herself a Radiant Empathy Angel of her time, wrote the sonnet to help fund the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, embodying the ideals of compassion, strength, and welcome. These values are as relevant today as ever, reminding us that true strength lies in lifting others up.

Here is her sonnet in full:

The New Colossus
By Emma Lazarus

“Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

This poem has stayed with me ever since, inspiring me to embrace the ideals of compassion and resilience. It reminds me to hold my lamp high—whether as a Radiant Empathy Angel offering peace or as a Warrior standing firm for justice.

The Epiphany: It’s Me

Over the years, I’ve noticed a pattern in my life. Despite my efforts to resolve disputes amicably, they often escalate into legal battles or intense conflict. From HOA boards to neighbors to city officials, it sometimes feels like I attract hostility.

One day, while lamenting this phenomenon, an acquaintance pointed out, “You know what all of these experiences have in common, don’t you?” It hit me—it’s me. Not because I’m bad or looking for a fight, but because I refuse to back down when something truly matters.

This realization helped me embrace my role as a Radiant Empathy Warrior. I’ve learned that being empathic doesn’t mean avoiding conflict. It means listening to the God messages—the moments when we’re called to stand up, speak out, and fight for what’s right.

The Water Debacle: Fighting for What Matters

Recently, I’ve found myself in another challenge: battling a neighbor whose improperly managed rainwater has flooded my property, damaging my septic system. I tried to handle the issue quietly at first, redirecting the water with French drains.

But it wasn’t until my beloved dog, Kokomo, fell ill that I realized the true extent of the problem. The water was contaminated with coliform, E. coli, and HPC bacteria. My dog, who had been drinking the water and suffering from mysterious health issues for two years (or more), was diagnosed with Giardia.

This was my God message.

Kokomo’s illness spurred me into action—not just for his sake, but for my own and for the neighborhood. Armed with an engineer’s report and a renewed determination, I’m prepared to hold my neighbor accountable.

The EmD Scale: Understanding Empathy Dysfunction

Empathy exists on a spectrum, but not everyone operates at the highest levels of empathy. I’ve developed the Empathy Dysfunction (EmD) Scale to illustrate how empathy can fail or flourish:

• Empathy Dysfunction (EmD): On one end of the spectrum are sociopaths and those who actively harm others. But even well-meaning people can fall into EmD when they fail to act –out of fear, indifference, or passivity.
• Ordinary Empathy: Most people operate here—caring for others, but not always stepping up when it truly matters.

But Radiant Empathy exists beyond the scale. It’s a huge leap—a transformational state where empathy becomes action, courage, and love in its purest form.

Radiant Empathy: Off the Charts

Radiant Empathy is the next level, a leap so significant that it goes “off the charts.” It’s the state of being where empathy is not just felt but acted upon with purpose and courage. Radiant Empathy Angels go beyond being an Empath. They have been strengthened and polished by the forces that oppose them.

As Maya Angelou so eloquently said:

“I think we all have empathy. We may not have enough courage to display it.”

Radiant Empathy requires that courage—the willingness to listen deeply, act boldly, and take risks for the sake of love and justice. It’s the decision to become:

• A Radiant Empathy Angel: Offering love, peace, and understanding to those around you.
• A Radiant Empathy Warrior: Standing firm and fighting for justice when it’s necessary.

Finding Your Inspiration

Like Emma Lazarus inspired me, you too can find something that speaks to your heart—a poem, a memory, or a personal belief that fuels your journey. For me, The New Colossus embodies Radiant Empathy: welcoming others, lifting them up, and fighting for justice when necessary.

As we celebrate Chanukah and the triumph of light over darkness, may we also lift our lamps high—whether as Angels or Warriors—and use our empathy to illuminate the path forward for ourselves and others.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Empathy isn’t passive. It’s about listening, loving, and acting when the time comes. Each of us has the power to lift the lamp, to be a beacon of hope and strength.

Where do you fall on the EmD Scale? What inspires you to move toward Radiant Empathy? Share your thoughts in the comments or explore more about Radiant Empathy on my blog, podcast, or books. Together, let’s make this a year of transformation and light.