empathy

I used to think it was all about trying to imagine what it's like....trying to fathom how it would feel if it was me...trying to walk in their shoes.

But I'm starting to realize that it isn't...and I can't...and I don't.

Suffering and fear bring inner chaos. You see it in the eyes, and if you look closely, the hands.
Some days are all about finding the answers and tweaking the meds and trying all your tricks to reign in their chaos.
Sometimes there are no tricks left and 'being there' is all you can do.

Empathy is effectively communicating to another human being,
by words or touch or actions,
that their pain is real...and it counts...and it matters.

At least that's what i think it is today.