General Discussion

Laelth

(32,017 posts)

52. My empathy is extraverted, selfish, and inherent.

Tue Apr 7, 2020, 09:55 AM

Apr 2020

I feel both the joy and the pain of every being that I encounter. I can’t help it. It’s an inherent feature of my being, and it is getting stronger as I get older.

I am a healer who wants to ease the pain of the world. I can not stop feeling the pain of others, so I want to make the pain of others go away. My motive is selfish. I prefer to ease the pain of others because I don’t want to feel their pain myself, as I nearly always do. I can’t help it.

For a highly empathic person, empathy can’t be abandoned or lost. It is both a blessing and a curse that one merely learns to live with.

-Laelth

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My capacity for empathy has become selective [View all] Cyrano Apr 2020 OP

They have no empathy. So it's hard to give them any. LakeArenal Apr 2020 #1

You are not alone. Jamastiene Apr 2020 #2

I pretty much feel that same way Rorey Apr 2020 #3

Right there with ya. Laffy Kat Apr 2020 #28

I don't wish any of them dead. However... Thomas Hurt Apr 2020 #4

"they have to hit bottom and be shocked into change." MyOwnPeace Apr 2020 #51

I have a short list of people that, given the chance, I would shoot off hand... Wounded Bear Apr 2020 #5

Brave post!!! And good on ya!!! ResistantAmerican17 Apr 2020 #6

Sadly Timewas Apr 2020 #7

I don't really understand modifying ones morals for current day politics fescuerescue Apr 2020 #8

Well said. crickets Apr 2020 #15

Agreed in full. Stevegberg Apr 2020 #25

I'm sorry for your loss. Seriously, I really am. Girard442 Apr 2020 #9

I crossed that rubicon years ago. However... DEbluedude Apr 2020 #10

I believe as you do. As MLK said, Cyrano Apr 2020 #12

Yes. And "hopeful thinking" is what has kept me sane for most of my life. DEbluedude Apr 2020 #13

I wish we could live separate from the Sociopaths and whatever happens MarcA Apr 2020 #11

+1000 smirkymonkey Apr 2020 #14

I have empathy, and I don't wish anyone dead. But I am seeing people willfully Squinch Apr 2020 #16

When one loses all empathy, evil and the "bad" humans have prevailed. PufPuf23 Apr 2020 #17

Yup! Stevegberg Apr 2020 #26

I'm Not Sure That Empathy Is A One Way Transaction ProfessorGAC Apr 2020 #43

K and R x 1000 Ferrets are Cool Apr 2020 #18

I was raised to turn the other cheek. William769 Apr 2020 #19

I couldn't agree more BunnyMcGee Apr 2020 #20

I appreciate this post. Kicked and recommended. Stevegberg Apr 2020 #21

Welcome to DU, Stevegberg. calimary Apr 2020 #44

I agree completely. warmfeet Apr 2020 #22

Behold the field.... Arthur_Frain Apr 2020 #23

I don't want people to die, in general. ooky Apr 2020 #24

I understand. bluescribbler Apr 2020 #27

Good for you. EarnestPutz Apr 2020 #42

I Faux pas Apr 2020 #29

same here....... samnsara Apr 2020 #30

Me too...nt Sophiegirl Apr 2020 #31

"An empty, soulless man who barely meets the definition... 3catwoman3 Apr 2020 #32

Right there with you. Empathy means I know Phoenix61 Apr 2020 #33

like I have always said about rebukes. Javaman Apr 2020 #34

This is a great post malaise Apr 2020 #35

Agreed x 2 (spouse and I). n/t Deep State Gnostic Apr 2020 #36

Republicans have felt that way about democrats for decades. Glad it sank in finally. ffr Apr 2020 #37

I'm with you when it comes to being an agnostic. Butterflylady Apr 2020 #38

I'm right there with you. Pepsidog Apr 2020 #39

Same here. Thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one with these feelings. n/t SpankMe Apr 2020 #40

Just heard that Boris Johnson has been put into intensive care. My response was... EarnestPutz Apr 2020 #41

Feel the same about Boris Johnson Cyrano Apr 2020 #45

I care too much about who I am to allow them to take my empathy away... cynatnite Apr 2020 #46

Kick and rec!..n/t bluecollar2 Apr 2020 #47

Our future depends on defeating the Republican Party Martin Eden Apr 2020 #48

I really believe we should consider a Czechklosvakia style divorce. Blue_true Apr 2020 #49

A great post hangaleft Apr 2020 #50

My empathy is extraverted, selfish, and inherent. Laelth Apr 2020 #52

Absolutely! nancy1942 Apr 2020 #53

I have some empathy for friends & family who are Cons dustyscamp Apr 2020 #54

Whether or not Chainfire Apr 2020 #55

No ones a saint. And empathy costs nothing. And its healthy. marble falls Apr 2020 #56

republicants have always tested my better nature... Harker Apr 2020 #57

Evil. There is no other word for it. dalton99a Apr 2020 #58