Empathy not Sympathy
PROBLEM: Lack of empathy and positive regard.
What's been troubling lately within the world is the noticeable disregard for another person's feelings but a high demand for personal regard. Stop trying to sympathize when you need to empathize.
Everyone wants empathy but no one wants to be empathetic. Everyone wants someone to understand but no one wants to understand. Everyone wants someone to listen but no one wants to listen. When will people learn it doesn't work like that.
And before you say this isn't something you do, take some time to remove your EGO and evaluate your moments of "being" there for someone.
.::EXAMPLE.::. Girl 1: "What you're going through isn't that big of a deal." Girl 2: "Yeah, I know but it still hurts." Girl 1: "Even I have problems but I don't complain." Boy 1: "My insurance bill is due and my bank takes almost a week to process my checks but no one else checks takes that long!" Boy 2: "Chill bro, it's not that big of a deal." Boy 3: "It's not that big of a deal because it's not your problem." Not all conversations but this is how many swim around that kind of disregard for a persons emotions and feelings. There are individuals who shun down your emotions when they feel your problems don't amount to much. Often times it take for that person to undergo a similar experience to gain understanding.
Acknowledgement: The issues and problems I or anyone face, may be unfamiliar or rather absurd to you but they're not your problems. We don't want you to feel like it is but rather just be a friend.
We all have to take the time to realize everyone experiences things differently in life because we come from different places, backgrounds and lifestyles. Now you can't expect a person to understand what they've never felt BUT that doesn't mean those individuals should disregard your emotion either.
I, myself have been victim to it and guilty of it. I hold full responsibility for my actions towards individuals, because I was not aware. I tend to be passionate about people and will quickly try to analyze and solve their problems disregarding them. Since I have been made aware I listen more and ask the person if they'd like my opinion/help or simply wait for them to que me in. Now what I'm not guilty of is being in genuine in my acts of kindness. When I am called upon for emotional support it is because I do not silence, provoke nor lie.
Although we don't face their particular issue now we could in the future! You just never know the challenges you yourself might come to face. By making ourselves available to someone in their time of need we open the door for someone to understand us in ours. Not a guarantee but worth a try. Can't expect someone to try for you if you don't for them seriously. Though if your willing to be open, as human beings we like to know people are comprehending us when we express or we won't. I feel as though every person you encounter is person you could learn from no matter their societal status. Wisdom is everywhere. Look people, we are all on different levels in every aspect of our lives! We excel some places and fail in others but we are learning and gravitating towards our full potential with each day.
DON'T BECOME A NARCISSIST!
Never lend a listening ear if you don't intend to listen. Never interrupt them because they're mind is clustered trying to explain it the best they can. Never extend a helping hand if you don't want to help. Never extend a helping hand if you only want to brag.
Never show fake empathy for the control of someone.
Never use or take advantage of someone in their vulnerable state.
SOLUTION:
We have to do better as a society. It seems genuineness is a thing of the past. Offer the support or help of others comes at a cost to you. The lack of empathy and positive regard has taken a mass toll on humanity. We must remove our egos in others times of despair. To leave all judgement alone and experience their emotion. Break free from interpersonal experience and engage freely into another. Be the person you need when your looking for a friend, advice or even positivity. Don't replicate but infiltrate what you'd like to see.
