Empathy vs Sympathy, Do You Know the Difference?

I feel that we all encounter things in our life that we have to deal with and show empathy versus sympathy. I thought this is an excellent demonstration of the difference between the two. Several of my friends have lost their husbands this week, and another one of my friend’s brother-in-law had to have hospice called in. To top it off, this morning my husband got a phone call that his friend and bandmate passed away last night.

I always struggle with what to say or do during trying times like these. What is the best way to ease someone’s pain and suffering? Empathy vs. Sympathy, do you know the difference?

We could listen from the perspective of empathy and caring.

Perhaps the best description of how to listen from the perspective of empathy and caring is best demonstrated by Dr. Brené Brown’s brilliant lesson on empathy, shown above in the popular animated video. She says empathy is “feeling with people.”

I love this little video animation and hope it helps you, as well.

Dr Brené Brown is a research professor and best-selling author of “Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead” (Penguin Portfolio, 2013). She has spent the past decade studying vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame.

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