Empathy

A lot of people when they hear this word think of sorrow or pity - but it is neither. Rather it is the ability to put yourself into another persons shoes and to feel what they have experienced. It takes a very special person to be able to do this. Many times when things overwhelm us we shut down and do not really listen to what the other person is saying to us. What they are saying to us is to powerful and sometimes hard to understand. What we have to realize that all the person is looking for is someone to talk to. Someone who will listen and not give advice or simple answers. People who are experiencing grief need to know that they are not alone. We need to give them a safe place to express themselves and to feel supported. There are many things that can happen to people that we as outsiders find hard to understand or comprehend - but that is life. Life is not simple and does not come neatly packaged. Bad things happen to good people and all they are looking for is someone to listen. If the situation is too overwhelming for you then be honest and tell that person that you would love to listen but find it too hard to do so. My challenge for you today is to truely listen to anothers pain and be present for them. Remember all they are looking for is someone to love and support them.