“Empathy is so draining” she cries
But when I look in her eyes
She is still seeing others
From
Her
Own
Point
Of
View
So many people call themselves “empaths” these days
Yet
They
Haven’t
Walked
Even
A
Second
In
Another persons shoes
They confuse being sensitive to other people’s emotions or having sympathy
With the emotional self transcendence that is empathy
Empathy doesn’t drain
Because you are leaving yourself – getting out of your own way
Choosing to sit inside another persons life
To see things from their perspective for awhile
And be there for them
Empathy is non judgemental
Empathy is actively seeking to understand
Not from your own perspective
But from someone else’s
Empathy is not draining
How can it be?
You are nowhere in your own skin
You’ve left your hands
And given them over
For someone else to hold for awhile
Holding space for another is a most special gift for our fellow human travelers. Keeping myself empowered and realized as an empath is the best way I can do that. I appreciate this post because most don’t understand the distinction. Well done my friend 👏😘💜
💕😊
Interesting thoughts, Kate. Can one lose their own sense of identity by continually empathising with others?
Yes Len definitely – if you didn’t have a strong sense of self and hadn’t been taught how to disconnect and take only what was yours to carry. I think that happens a lot in relationships sometimes.
Oh I like this post, never thought of it that way, gives me something to ponder 🤔
So many people calling themselves empaths these days and yet haven’t walked a second in someone else shoes was a slap across the face. This was such a beautiful post 👏 very strong and hard hitting
Thanks. I actually slapped my own face (metaphorically) when I stumbled into that insight. It was a timely reminder of what empathy truly was and what it wasn’t. I haven’t always got it right myself but it was a good reminder.
Haha xD like calling your own self out.
I think we all need such reminders every now and then.
Beautifully written!
Thanks Katrina 😊