When we are hurting and struggling, it can be devastating when people dismiss our feelings. Phrases like “You just need to think happy thoughts” and “You just need to move on” don’t help.
It’s hard for people to see our pain. They want us to feel better. Or they don’t understand what we are going through because their experiences have been different.
I know how that feels. When you share a struggle or a pain with someone and they tell you that it can’t be that bad and they’ve been through worse, or they start talking at you with solutions of what they think you should do, it’s easy to feel alone and that no one understands.
This is where empathy comes in. Empathy allows us to connect deeply with others and to offer genuine support. We may not be able to fully understand what someone has been through, but we can understand that what they’ve experienced has been hard and we can listen with genuine care and love.
AND there’s also hope. Yes, people need empathy and understanding but there is also hope in this world. This is where positivity comes in – not to ignore the difficulties and pain but instead, to shine a light on the possibilities ahead; to know that we can overcome the things that happened to us and work through our thoughts and feeling. It empowers us to see hope in the darkest times and to inspire others.
Empathy and hope. It’s a balance. And we don’t always get it right but holding that space for people to know we care and offer some light is the most beautiful thing we can do. In this way, we can navigate the world with grace and compassion and help to lift others up while continuing to move forward with hope.
I LOVE THIS!! Empathy is so important and then combined with hope brings together what it is to really help others.
Thank you!