Sympathy vs Empathy
As a child, I had always been a bit cold. I did not crying watching cartoons. I was reserved and balanced. My family made me feel guilthy about being not able to fel emotions Teenage years and puberty did make me a bit more emotional, but still my feelings and decision were controlled.
As a young adult, and having read a number of medical books - a very typical thing - self-diagnosing with all possible disorders (thanks to my grandmother's extensive medical library - she is a doctor), I was starting to think I was a psychopath. Well controlled, not feeling emotions much or at all, low level of sympanthy...
But no, my dear readers, don't get alarmed here. I am not a psychopath. Being exposed to a hospice environment for a while, I realize now that most people confuse sympanthy and empathy. They expect you to weep and show you support grieving with them. Sympathy is when you feel sorry for somebody. Empathy is when you realize how painful somebody's siituation is and try to make their life a bit easier. That is true. I can't always show sympathy well, but I always have empathy and manifest it. These are just two different worlds - the world of people weeping with you, and the world of people who leave emotions home and ask - so what are your options now? Some people are able to do both, but I am not that gifted.
I think that is great to have both type of people. I realize it sometimes might be a bit unnerving - the logical and Plan A and B approach.
I don't feel guilty about being who I am anymore. I realize that people like me are able to do things differently, and now with life experience I can weep. Sometimes. But honestly and between us I do prefer a logical approach. It keeps me grounded. It feels like home.
As a young adult, and having read a number of medical books - a very typical thing - self-diagnosing with all possible disorders (thanks to my grandmother's extensive medical library - she is a doctor), I was starting to think I was a psychopath. Well controlled, not feeling emotions much or at all, low level of sympanthy...
But no, my dear readers, don't get alarmed here. I am not a psychopath. Being exposed to a hospice environment for a while, I realize now that most people confuse sympanthy and empathy. They expect you to weep and show you support grieving with them. Sympathy is when you feel sorry for somebody. Empathy is when you realize how painful somebody's siituation is and try to make their life a bit easier. That is true. I can't always show sympathy well, but I always have empathy and manifest it. These are just two different worlds - the world of people weeping with you, and the world of people who leave emotions home and ask - so what are your options now? Some people are able to do both, but I am not that gifted.
I think that is great to have both type of people. I realize it sometimes might be a bit unnerving - the logical and Plan A and B approach.
I don't feel guilty about being who I am anymore. I realize that people like me are able to do things differently, and now with life experience I can weep. Sometimes. But honestly and between us I do prefer a logical approach. It keeps me grounded. It feels like home.