What is Empathy?
Not quite sure I quite understand, but I can come up with some to tell you. This definition is from the internet. It is simplistic but what empathy is.
em·pa·thy
/?emp?TH?/
noun
Many people are Empaths and don't realize it. I am an empath. I can feel some feelings of others. I have no control over who or what may come to me. It is usually something very front and center in another's life. They may or may not know. Sometimes, it is health cocerns. Another has a serious illness and it comes to you. I say nothing. If they are ill and want to discuss it, they can approach me. Sometimes it is an emotional feeling. Someone many be going through an event that causes deep anxiety and stress. I always allow the person the control because I do not feel it is my right to invade their private space. If they ask, I will talk with them.
Being an Empath is a serious gift. It is not something you ask for. You are born with it. it may take man years for someone to realize they are an Empath. Then, perhaps some more years to know what to do with it. I still sometimes hasve issues with that.
Good list. To add my two cents worth: Sympathy is feeling compassion for the struggle or suffering of another. It is certainly compattible with empathy, but empathy is more. It is being able to imagine what it feels like to be in the other's shoes, usually based on having experienced something comparable.
That list seems more about sympathy.
Isn't that when I hammer my thumb and you also feel the pain? Or when you feel good and it makes me smile?
I just had this discussion with my college student interns I am working with. We talked about youth and bullying and more kids need to understand what empathy and compassion is and how to be more tolerant of things they don't understand but can learn about in a more empathetic way.
To understand,and be sensitive ,aware and experience the thoughts and or feelings of another person or animal. I mention animal because this is the true indication of an individuals character .
Thank you for mentioning the animals. They feel pain and hunger and fear. They don't want to suffer or be slaughtered. Empathy should have no borders. It shouldn't discriminate between living beings and environment. When we protect others we protect ourselves.