Empathy… something so easy to show but insanely hard to explain. Also easily muddled with sympathy. What does empathy REALLY sound, look and feel like???
The dictionaries definition doesn't completely define empathy for what it actually is. To me, its to feel for someone and see their dilemma through their eyes. Its all centered around a feeling that leads up to an action.
Talking to a friend who is feeling grief or depression, is simply just one of the ways of showing empathy.
The sound and feeling of empathy, depends on the situation. For instance, if a friends dog just died, you'd try to relate to their problem by talking to them. If necessary, you could give them a hug. To me, that characterizes what empathy sounds and feels like.
Sympathy and empathy are a bit similar but still very different. Stating the differences between the two, as hard as it is, its much easier to show.
For example, a friends house got robbed and a friend empathising would say, “Omg, I am so sorry for what happened if there anything I can do come get me”. Where as a friend sympathising would say, “Oh I heard the news, must suck to be you at the moment.”
I guess the basic explanation is put yourself in their shoes. There is empathy for you.
Tyla Empathy from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.
You are right Tyla, Empathy is really quite a difficult concept to describe and you have explained it well. I think it's even harder to show.
ReplyDeleteKeep working on recrafting every paragraph and making careful word choices. I'm looking forward to seeing you develop as a writer this year.
Mrs Nua
Hi Tyla,
ReplyDeleteI am a graduate student at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama, USA. I am visiting your blog this week as part of my technology class. You did a great job talking about empathy and sympathy. Keep up the hard work. Your post is wonderful.