Before all conversations today, think of one way that you’re similar to the person you’re speaking with to help you approach them with empathy…
What are some things you have in common with every other human being?
I’ll reflect on the latter reflection piece since I’m writing this beforehand.
All people share the same basic emotions, like sadness and fear. We may pretend like we don’t, but those feelings are certainly there.
All people share certain experiences like birth and death.
As someone who is empathic and practices loving-kindness or compassion meditation daily, these ideas are second-nature to me now. Growing up, I even knew they were true. Yet, there are times where I am (or have been) a downright snotty bitch.
Reflecting on this question brings up those times.
To the SJIA parent group that I irked with pushing mortality rates in your face, I’m sorry. Depression took hold of me for a long while there and the only way I had been taught to work through it was to hurt others.
I get very self-righteous at times and it’s really difficult.
As I continue to grow and learn, I’m finding new ways of practicing these better ideas.
Still, I find it hard. Being an empath is not an easy task. I don’t quite know how to block out certain emotions, especially strong and negative ones from other people. This has certainly played a role in me not having contact with many people like my mother.
My body, mind, and spirit become so toxic around them.
Sometimes going places I love like the women’s hockey games is difficult depending on who is around. Sensing so many feelings all at once can be really difficult.
What about you? Have you looked at compassion or empathy more?
I am also an empath, which I think is a big part of what broke me back in 2014 when I attempted suicide… twice. It is overwhelming. I don't know how to provide that 'barrier' that many other empaths seem to be able to do to protect themselves. I don't know how to release the emotions and things that I take in. It just sits and builds up and for most of my life, I felt like the kettle on the verge of boiling over, hissing at paranormal pitches! Now I just feel broken.
I have read and watched The Hunger Games (still waiting to see Mockingjay part 2).
There is a point in part 1 of Mockingjay, where Finnick said something along the lines of how it takes 10 times longer to put yourself back together than it does to fall apart. I feel that is so true and feel like I am living that every day! It's going to take a long time to pick up my broken pieces and somehow stitch them together in some functional fashion.
At any rate, that's my ramblings. Thank you, as always, for sharing your thoughts here. You have a beautiful site here which just reflects even more the beautiful person YOU ARE. It's hard. Sometimes we come off as harsh or hurtful or other things we don't mean to be. But we get up and we keep trying. *Shrugs* We just have to keep reminding ourselves to keep trying. At least… I do. 🙂