As humans we are supposed to be compassionate about others’ adversities and predicaments, but is it empathy or sympathy that determines compassion, I have noticed a very few people can actually distinguish between the two, most of them would tell you the different meanings, but as to present or emulate empathy or sympathy, they are mostly baffled.
Empathize: (verb) understand and share the feelings of another
Sympathize: (verb) agree with a sentiment or opinion
As the most of us can “see” there IS clearly a visible, tangible and yes behavioural difference between these two (though these two are so often used interchangeably). To me, compassion is not sympathy but empathy which gives us the unique ability to feel the other person’s pain, a hurt person does not need sympathy or pity, he/she needs empathy which helps to digest the horrible feeling of loneliness and gives us the hope that “we are not alone”
So next time onwards, if you feel like showing compassion, practise empathy, not sympathy
Yours Truly,
A Phoenix
No comments:
Post a Comment