KAIZEN FOR LIFE

Sympathy is feeling sorry for someone for what they’re going through/experiencing, but not fully understanding/sharing those experiences so can’t relate and are partially offering pity due to the fact they are glad they are not in that persons shoes. Whereas, empathy is understanding and sharing in those feelings and giving the person space to feel those things and actively listening and acknowledging how they feel, whilst being there for that person and show ping them this.

On some occasions, sympathy will be more appropriate – potentially with someone you don’t know very well or in an unfamiliar setting or situation. However, we should strive towards having snd showing empathy towards others. Empathy is our ability to listen and see the perspective of others and whether we share/understand what they’re going through, we are ultimately there for that person and truly care about what they’re experiencing. Empathy can be hard for humans. Not everyone is wired to be empathetic or has been brought up to be that way. However, it is important to learn to be empathetic. It shows our compassion and kindness and capacity for understanding of one another. It shows that we are not always selfish and can think about others and consider one another’s feelings and emotions.

Having empathy or sympathy for people in every day can be very important also. Life can be hard, and we have no idea what the strangers around us or sometimes even friends are going through. Someone could be unkind and lashing out on one day and we could be angry and annoyed at that person. If we look through an empathetic lense, we could realise that that person may be really struggling, or have had no sleep because they were in hospitals with a dying parent, or a family relative may have just passed, or they just got fired. My point is – you can never know what people are going through and you can CHOOSE to be kind and come from a place of empathy when you react and respond to them. You can CHOOSE to do this.