The Greatest

The greatest cruelty is our casual blindness to the despair of others – anonymous

For me, having the ability to connect with people for the purpose of helping, empowering & maybe inspiring their lives has been central to my purpose. I’ve been aware of this since I was very young, hence, I find it difficult to understand those who actively seek to hurt others.

I have learnt that individuals who demonstrate a notable lack of empathy are challenging & empathizing with them even more so. They’re not people who you’d want to get too close to – even if they allow you to. They don’t, & in many respects cannot, care about you. Therefore, feeling truly understood or emotionally supported by them won’t happen – you’ll be consistently let down.

Instead, to advance their own agenda, unempathic people will fake empathy. Recognizing the spurious nature of “fake” is easy, if you watch for the “alarm bells” & DON’T ignore them; you’re obviously much better off staying away to protect yourself from their manipulations. Those who lack empathy, in their unwillingness or inability to put themselves in your shoes, don’t have your own interests in mind. “Objectifying” you as potential prey, they’re more likely to exploit you to address their own generally egoistical need.

The unempathic include traits such as insensitive, selfish, self-centered, detached, distant, uncaring, exploitative, condescending & even contemptuous – not what you want in a partner or friend. For in their emotional unavailability they can make you feel frustratingly & hurtfully, alone. In terms of their whole life stance, as opposed to being pro-social, they’re much more commonly anti-social.

Conversely, empathic people are caring, willing to listen & respond +IVELY to you. In some ways, they are gifted in vicariously thinking & feeling what you do, can identify with another’s experience, & tend to be kind, thoughtful & pro-social. Compassionate, even altruistic, esp when you’re in distress.

LISTEN TO YOUR INTUITION & DON’T IGNORE THE ALARM BELLS of the unempathic. Remain KIND to OTHERS & to yourself b/c to feel intensely is not a symptom of weakness,it is the trademark of the truly alive & compassionate