Don't worry...I am there...

After visiting a friend admitted in a hospital, I was thinking is it my sympathy for her or was it my moral support to her? Is it going to help her getting well or it’s a gesture?

So, is this Sympathy or Empathy??

          Sympathy is when you share the feelings of another person. Sympathy is a feeling of care and concern for someone close,

with a wish to see him better off or happier.

Empathy is the experience of understanding another person's thoughts, feelings, and condition from his or her point of view, rather than from own.  Empathy is the helping behavior that comes from within, rather than  forced, so that people behave in a more compassionate manner. It’s empathy.

Hey, I am there.......

The term empathy generally refers to two main concepts.

·        Taking another person’s psychological perspective, imagining their thoughts, feelings, and their behaviors.

·        And experiencing of an emotional reaction to the other person’s situation.  It is the link between the two.

A key element of Emotional Intelligence, it is about connecting with people to inspire and empower their lives. Feeling of empathy is natural but we often don't express it.

Today life is not easy. Facing lot of competition, we must prove ourselves. There is stress of work, traffic situations, interpersonal relations.  It has become difficult to dream for a simple good life.  In fact, we can't escape from them. But if there is someone to be there with you, it becomes easy to face them, isn't it? The feeling of someone with you gives you strength to handle the odds.

Let's take that one step ...

Too often we underestimate the power of touch, smile or a listening ear. We disagree to its potential to turn the life around. But one step of yours and someone’s life will be better, I am sure.

So......

•  Do listen to them…

Listening is one of the most effective ways to express our empathy. Active listening requires three things

•  Listen in detail. Look into the speaker’s eyes.
• Reflect your emotional reaction as it is a key part of empathy. It helps the person better understand and regulate their own emotions. Also, their reactions help us regulate our own responses.
•  Express your behaviour. By this you are agreeing to their emotional state and helping them out to move forward with.
• Don’t be in a hurry to give judgement.

·        Speak to them….

• Conversation is the best way to solve problems.
•  It makes you comfortable and confident to speak.
•  The dialogue makes us feel free to share your views and feelings with no hesitation.
• Engage yourself in conversation with interest and try to make the person comfortable.
• The communication can be verbal or through facial expressions and body language

 Offer physical affection….

• A hug, holding a hand or a hand on a shoulder releases feel-good hormone.
•  It reduces pain and cause a calming sensation. Of course, this is a remedy for near and dear ones. A hug by stranger may cause stress.

·        Offer help ….

•   Every time it’s not the monetary help but may be psychological support.
•  Try to find out solution. This shows that you see what someone is going through and you want to make life easier for them.
• Offering help shows that you're willing to take time out of your day to do something for someone. Even offering the opportunity to help, can be an empathetic gesture.
• Tell a friend that if they need anything they can ask, opening the way for providing help and support.

So, start a dialogue, volunteer to provide help. Try to understand the person

and his feelings.

Let's walk a mile...

together we smile...

Let's overcome the barrier...

Holding and being with each other...