I know that
in some situations I can, and others, I simply cannot. It just depends on the
context of the situation.
In a heated conversation, Jason said to me “You need to have more empathy”
and I strongly disagreed with him. I cannot feel empathy for others in every
situation, and that doesn’t make me a bad person. However, in certain situations,
I am able to have empathy; there is a difference between empathy and sympathy.
AND I always have sympathy for others. Even though the situation may be self-inflicted,
or the person continues to be in the situation because they are “in” their own
way.
For me, empathy is the
ability to experience the
feelings of another person. It goes beyond sympathy, which is caring and understanding for the suffering of
others. Both words are used similarly and often interchangeably (incorrectly
so) but differ subtly in their emotional meaning.
Here is the
difference between the two
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Empathy
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Sympathy
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|
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Understanding
what others are feeling because you have experienced it yourself or can put
yourself in their shoes.
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Acknowledging
another person's emotional hardships and providing comfort and assurance.
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I love you
Jason. I love that you want me to care, and I do! I love people, I love to
listen to their stories; trials and tribulations, and I love to share my
experiences with others. Bottom line for me is… in the end we all want the
same; to love and be loved, to succeed and be happy. I want this to come true
for everyone, and imagine how the world would be a different place, if we all
supported and loved each other. Instead of holding angry grudges and plotting vengeance
against one another.
To the peace
and oneness of the world!
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