A Reflection on Empathy and Compassion and the lack of it

Empathy and Compassion

Empathy may seem like an innate human trait that everyone has. But that is not entirely true. And it is when the absence of said empathy that we can truly appreciate empathy at its truest form. It allows us to connect and understand another person other than ourselves by actively putting ourselves in their shoes and trying to live their experience, trying to grasp how they might be feeling. 

Now one may suffer from the lack of empathy for a number of reasons, such as trauma, emotional neglect, personality disorders, etc., and we need to be more mindful of how to navigate interactions with such individuals while also keeping ourselves safe.

Compassion takes it a step further in the understanding and to be actively present and respond to others' sufferings with kindness and the desire to help them, not for getting something in return, but to be there for someone who needs a shoulder for support. It brings a sort of warmth to people, where their world may be feeling cold in their suffering.

But through all of these, we also have to prioritize our own mental health and be kinder to ourselves, showing ourselves the same compassion we aim to show others. Do you actively show yourself the same compassion you show others?