I think empathy is essential. I also most certainly believe it is taught. I have dated men in the past that couldn't understand empathy. The relationship never lasted. Now, I have a very empathic man that is almost unrealistic to me.
Do you have friends that you can talk to about everything, they offer support and empathize with you about your issues? On the other hand, do you have those friends that you try to talk to, but they tend to offer their own problems, don't understand what your going through and the conversation ends with more questionable drama? The second friend will be the friend you don't contact unless there is no one else that will listen, right?
Validity in communication is very important or else we would talk to brick walls and receive no feedback or understanding. I think in many relationships empathy is mistaken for 'giving in'. It is clearly not. Empathy is just acknowledging the other persons feelings. Understanding they are upset although we may not agree.
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I think empathy is essential. I also most certainly believe it is taught. I have dated men in the past that couldn't understand empathy. The relationship never lasted. Now, I have a very empathic man that is almost unrealistic to me.
Do you have friends that you can talk to about everything, they offer support and empathize with you about your issues? On the other hand, do you have those friends that you try to talk to, but they tend to offer their own problems, don't understand what your going through and the conversation ends with more questionable drama? The second friend will be the friend you don't contact unless there is no one else that will listen, right?
Validity in communication is very important or else we would talk to brick walls and receive no feedback or understanding. I think in many relationships empathy is mistaken for 'giving in'. It is clearly not. Empathy is just acknowledging the other persons feelings. Understanding they are upset although we may not agree.
May 17, 2009 - 9:03amThis Comment
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