Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Sympathy vs Empathy

Empathy means I feel your pain. It means I've walked in your shoes and understand from personal experience at least a portion of what you're going through.
Sympathy means I'm taking part in your pain in the sense that I feel sorrowful for what you're going through.
When someone I love is struggling with mental illness, for example, I can only sympathize. It's not something I've had to deal with. But that doesn't mean my heart doesn't still break at the pain I see them dealing with. All I can do is offer my love and whatever support they deem appropriate.


10 comments:

  1. I'm sorry, Donna. That's a tough place to be. Just be there in love.

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  2. I'm an empath, I do feel when somebody is suffering usually. I can also feel negative energy in people.

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    Replies
    1. Some people must be really difficult to be around then. My hubby's like you.

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  3. Hi,
    In many ways, I feel what you're saying. It is something that is hard for many people to deal with

    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

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    Replies
    1. Sometimes when a person expresses sympathy, they get jumped on with accusations that they can't empathize. They never claimed to, but it doesn't mean they're not hurting for you.

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  4. Awesome quote. And yes there is a difference, but both offer comfort to someone in pain.

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  5. Love pours out of good people and for those of us who are loved life is worth living.

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  6. Both are different, but equally important to the person one is hopefully able to comfort.

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