ERIKSON says in telling words, "We treat other nations and peoples as if they were members of other species, and we feel that it is all right to kill them for our so-called betterment" to underscore the significance of empathy.

In our approach to life, a basic fact that confronts us is the desire for love and peace. But first we have to find out why there is so much disturbance all around.

Time has made man a selfish living being. Each one of us wants to win the race of life. No one wants to help those who sometimes tumble and fall in this race.

We want others to be nice with us but how can they be if we are not. We don’t want others to be ahead of us simply because we are jealous of them. We forget that a time may come when destiny may not smile on us. We may want someone to help us but then no one will hear us.

Losing a dear one is, indeed, painful. Only the one who suffers knows how traumatic it is. But this is the time to extend a helping hand. It’s the time when we can share the grief of someone.

We have to cultivate the qualities of a good human being in us. Such feelings should spring from the core of our hearts and should not be merely superficial.

There are many ways in which we can make a difference to the lives of other people. Let us try to help all those who need us. What is really important is our urge to reach out to those who need help.

The future of mankind is threatened not so much by natural or supernatural forces as by human insensitivity and destructive activity. The world lives in constant fear of a nuclear war. We should pray that there isn’t another holocaust like that of Hiroshima and Nagasaki where 2,10,000 innocent men, women and children were killed within minutes and many lakhs were disabled and diseased.

Life is too precious to be wasted in petty matters. The future demands a new vision and quicker responses to the ills afflicting the people. This is possible if the concept of globalisation is given a human face as enshrined in the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the whole earth is my family).

Let us help helpless children and give protection to women.

Love, compassion, mutual understanding and tolerance are time-tested qualities on which human relationships are based. We need to practice these human values in letter and spirit.

Cooperation is the mainspring of life. According to T.I. Rubin its dynamics are:

Unconditional mutual acceptance, accommodation and expectations. Teaming up with another without losing one’s identity. Recognising that the people are imperfect. Avoiding the ‘me first’ attitude which spells disaster for personal relationships. Not sitting in judgement on others. Easy spontaneity (which rules out playing games).

Love begets love. It makes the world go round. It is the answer to all problems of interpersonal relationships. Love, sincere love, works like magic. Love includes caring, liking and tolerance. "Hatred ceases by love", says Buddha. The law of higher consciousness is: "Love everyone unconditionally, including yourself". Mother Teresa’s immense love and care for the poorest of the poor and neglected leprosy patients earned her the prestigious Nobel Prize for Peace. But her greatest award is that even today she continues to live in the minds of the people.

Express sympathy with others by word, action, conduct. A warm handshake, a pat on the back can foster human relations wonderfully. To be human is to be sympathetic.

If you wish to be liked by others, like them and be likeable. This is the secret of personal magnetism.

"The deepest principle of human nature is the craving to be appreciated", says William James. You must learn to appreciate other people’s achievements and rejoice in their success and good fortune. If you see somebody who is more beautiful than you are, try to enjoy that beauty and feast your eyes upon it, instead of thinking of your own inferiority. Be generous and sincere in appreciating others.

Like individuals and their perceptions; their opinions differ as they don’t think alike. Learn to disagree with others without being disagreeable. Everybody has a right to his conviction; why confront them? Don’t force your opinions on others. A kind word or deed never goes in vain.

"Forgiveness is the best form of revenge." Forgive others; they are also human beings. Forgiveness fosters mutual trust. Without it, there would be an endless cycle of resentment, retaliation and revenge — all fatal for good human relations.