Empathy

Empathy.

Khen Lampert says that "[empathy] is what happens to us when we leave our own bodies...and find ourselves either momentarily or for a longer period of time in the mind of the other. We observe reality through her eyes, feel her emotions, share in her pain."

It's different from sympathy, which is more of a compassion or pity for someone than an actual feeling of that person's emotions.

People have always told me that empathy is impossible to achieve... but I'm inclined to disagree.

I've been thinking about pain lately. Other people's pain... but my pain. Somehow the line between the two blurs all too easily. I tend to live vicariously through my friends. I haven't neglected my own life in the process, but instead, I've taken on other people's lives as well, and it's just too much. I'm too empathetic, if that's the right word.

I hate it when people tell me, "You just wouldn't understand." Because, most of the time, I do understand. I really do. Sometimes more than I can comprehend. And understanding their struggles makes me want to fix them just as much as they do.

Why did God make me like this? Why does other people's pain so naturally become my pain? I tear myself to pieces in frustration sometimes because I can't figure out the purpose in that.

But then I consider the incredible capacity that I have for other people's joy to become my own as well. Excitement, passion, the like... a spark from someone else easily kindles a flame in me.

Imagine if I caught on to everyone's passion for God... all at the same time. "Put a fire in her bones." Hm. Something to consider, at least. I think I would want to do something about that passion just as much as they did... and God may have gifted me in such a way that it is possible for me to do something about it, when it may not be possible for them.

Heh. I couldn't have one without the other. I think it's worth the pain, after all. Cool how God works, isn't it?