Empathy

Empathy

How many of us are truly capable of empathy? How many know what empathy means?

It is not the same as sympathy. It is not the same as “if I were in your shoes.”

Empathy takes more  of a perspective shift. It is being able to not just see another’s situation from your worldview, but to be able to see the situation as the other person is seeing it. 

Then, you are able to empathize with that person. 

This isn’t a skill that is natural for most people. 

It takes practice. It takes being able to remove yourself from your “self” and think as another. 

Why is empathy important? 

Empathy allows us to make another feel that they are not alone, not invisible, understood. It helps us to connect with each other. 

When a person with a problem tells you about it, if you can truly empathize by understanding it as if you were that person, you will form a relationship in which the person will see you as someone who might help them get through it. 

This is a good thing. 

This is how we connect with each other. We must understand the world from multiple perspectives to understand ourselves. 

Have a great week!

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