What's the difference between these 2 words and why does it matter?
I've heard many times over the years that it's more helpful to be empathetic than sympathetic but l never really understood the difference until I heard the following explanation.
Imagine you are on a boat with a friend who is seasick and throwing up. If you approach your friend with empathy you would hold their hair back, offer them a seasickness remedy or do something that shows you care. If you approach your friend with sympathy you would join them in their misery and start throwing up with them!
Empathy is understanding what your friend is going through, standing in their shoes and offering understanding and support. Sympathy is feeling what your friend is feeling and joining them in their response - it shows you understand their situation but offers little comfort or help.
Thinking of these 2 different ways of responding
Which would you like to receive?
Which do you give?
Which would you like to receive?
Which do you give?
Yours empathetically
www.reclaimwellness.com.au Phone: 0412 335 720
