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Is caring important?

Caring for others with genuine concern is an expression of love. It is one of the creative powers of life. Other people’s care about us gives us more confidence and strength, possibly because we feel valued and not alone.

Being surrounded by people who can care and give is therefore very important. Mutual caring is strengthening bonding and alliances and creating valuable emotional and mental connections.

What caring is?

Caring is a complex act. Instead of being a set of rules, it is an ability that evolves from within.

It seems to require to be emotionally tuned in with the other person in such a way that there is a coordination of thoughts and feelings within the context of a given situation. Our concern for a person’s emotional well-being holds significance under this perspective: 

Listening, understanding, valuing, respecting, and protecting

The act of preserving something 

As defined by psychoanalytic theory, caring is a psychological and emotional state of carrying another within (in the heart and mind).

PS.  Taking care of ourselves seems to be as important as it is caring for others. Being in tune with ourselves is also essential.

Example

Griet, a 16-year-old Dutch girl becomes a maid in the house of the famous painter Johannes Vermeer. Despite her different upbringing, education, and class, she shows a deep, and genuine appreciation and understanding of the painters’ work. That also attracts the painter’s attention, who starts drawing her into the world of his paintings. Intimacy and affection grow between them, and Vermeer regains his lost creativity and inspiration through her.

An example of caring can be seen in the video excerpt below, as Griet is unsure whether to clean the painter’s studio windows or not. If she washes them, the painter’s perception of the light about the painting may be disturbed, thus affecting his work and final product. That shows how much she values his work and how much she wishes for his comfort and well-being.

She expresses her concern to the painter’s volatile wife, who she realizes the girl’s intimate feelings and genuine support for her husband, as well as her difficulty sharing an emotional bond with him. Griet’s behavior spreads anger and jealousy that led to her dismissal from her position. 

Take a look at the video below for a tangible  illustration of what caring is all about

Film

Art affects us on a profound personal level and seems to have the power to illuminate things that are important or even vital to us. SHARE LV uses Arts and Humanities as a vehicle for a deeper comprehension of complicated life situations. 

Today we gain inspiration from the wonderful film: Girl with a Pearl Earring, by Peter Webber

Image

Francesco Clemente: A History of the Heart in Three Rainbows (III), 2009

Related reading on SHARE Lv

Georgiadi, E. (2019). Love is…

Georgiadi, E. (2020). Kindness: Its role in psychological resilience and mental health

Georgiadi, E. (2021). Giving, generosity, and genuine support in healthy child development

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Elissavet Georgiadi (Music Therapist/Mental Health Professional – PgDipMT, GSMD – City University)