I’ve found, like others, that empathy seems to be one of the kinder acts I can provide. It’s kind of funny to me, because it is natural for me to try to imagine what it is like for someone else, and I really do care about people. Sometimes, of course, I get angry with others, and that makes it really hard to be empathetic, but I hope people will accept that as part of being human. I do get annoyed.
But I try to get over it, and to see it from the other person’s point of view and give them some understanding they haven’t gotten elsewhere. It’s always a great reward when someone tells me they feel understood, or that they’ve been able to tell me something they haven’t told anyone else.
So while it seems more rewarding to me, and kind of selfish, it also seems like people find empathy to be a kindness. That’s weird to me. Like, I think they are being kind by opening up to me, and they think I am being kind by listening to them. But if it works, it works. Let’s not complain. I’m happy that my listening makes them feel good even if I do it because I hunger for other people’s stories. And also I hunger for connection at as deep a level as people are willing to open up to me.
And if they want to hear from me, I am happy to share, too, although I do find that not a lot of people ask. But if they want to listen to me, too, I’m happy to talk for a bit.