It’s been a very long while, hasn’t it?
In case you are wondering, I have thought about you all every day… and missed you. Time away from WordPress is surprisingly a little distressing for me. In time, all will be revealed and my absence explained a little bit. π
But for now…..
I wanted to share a Facebook memory with you. For those who don’t have Facebook, they like to remind us of posts from the past. In case we like them and cherish the reminder. Sometimes it’s bitter sweet, sometimes it’s just plain sweet, and yes… sometimes I think we have to swallow the little bit of bitterness that may threaten to well up at a particular memory.
THIS memory, for me, was a sweet one. It’s from four years ago. It’s sweet because I LOVE the reminder contained within.
The image I had shared is as follows :
Someone had commented on this picture and said that they ‘struggled with empathy because they just weren’t an empath at heart’.
I understand that… and still do. Not everyone is an empath ‘to the bone’. As I often point out, we are all different and it takes ‘all kinds to make the world go round’. How boring it would be if we were all the same.
However, UNDERSTANDING that is coupled with LOVE covers a whole lot of other things – it opens doors to kindness and gentleness and compassion etc. And it’s important! VERY important.
In fact, I feel like it is SO important that even if you are not an empath, and you recognise this, that it is something you should then at least TRY! You won’t get it right all the time. And sometimes it is really difficult. But trying takes you one step closer… and may make a big difference to the person in question.
I have an empathetic soul. There are still times where I struggle with understanding. I have learnt that sometimes I need to keep my ‘lack of understanding’ to myself, and still just be kind. Not because of the other person, but because of me. It develops good character. So I just keep trying π
I am hoping you are all well. Please know you have all been missed! Happy Sunday, everyone β€
nopassingfancy 
I know just how you feel.
Am scared to look at my blog.
It has been soooooo long.
LikeLiked by 5 people
β€ I'll be emailing you shortly π Sending you love in the meantime π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Kindness and empathy has to be deliberate and intentional. π―
Sometimes we may not feel like it but we choose to breathe and get through it with His help.
P.S: How have you been ma’am?
And your family?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hello dear friend β€ It's been a winding road… but we're okay thanks.
I am tired… but pushing on. No matter what, I guess I can't help but keep living life on purpose π
Love and hugs to you β€
LikeLike
Good to see you.
Take care of yourself…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m doing my very best, Eliza, thank you β€ π
You are in my thoughts every day. Sending a hug across the distance… and of course some virtual glitter to make your day sparkle π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful! I am an empath at heart but sometimes I also find myself struggling to understand or wrapped up in my own selfishness. Empathy takes work but it is worth it because it makes the world a much more pleasant place.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think it’s part of human nature for us to display selfishness.
But trying goes a long way! π
Thank you, Collene β€
LikeLike
Welcome back Megs! π
Empathy’s awesome π₯³. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rob β€
LikeLike
I adore this message, Meg. You are 100% right! Someone doesn’t have to be an empath to understand the value of kindness.
We are each given a different set of skills, talents, gifts, and traits. Kindness, on the other hand, should be universal. As you say, at least trying to understand where someone else might be coming from is the least we can do. If we take even just a brief moment to consider our own ‘bad’ days and how we reacted in a way we wish we hadn’t — it’s not that difficult to see how others may be too. Now, I’m not suggesting that we will magically always get it ‘right.’ You said it perfectly: “You wonβt get it right all the time. And sometimes it is really difficult. But trying takes you one step closerβ¦ and may make a big difference to the person in question.” — Amen, sis, amen!!
We really do underestimate the power of our encouragement, our genuine care for another, and our willingness to extend grace. The battles we face can be incredibly painful. Most of us would rather not broadcast what we’re going through to the whole world. When we remember that everyone is going through *something,* it can help us to love that person when they don’t seem very loveable. If anything, that’s when we all need love the most!
Know this, I am sending my love to you across the miles. You are appreciated and always an inspiration to us all, my sweet friend. I’ve missed you too! π¦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Holly β€ You are so very beautiful β€ Thank you for these words.
My personal experience this past month has also made me more sensitive and compassionate to this :
Sometimes it's not even about broadcasting to the world, or even sharing with those closest to us. Because there is an exhaustion that sets in and quite frankly, we just can't find the words. It becomes a case of being overwhelmed by a bunch of little things, and we know something is wrong but we just don't know how to vocalise it. And then there is the assumption that someone is quiet and withdrawn – and people take it personally. Instead, we should just pour out our love even more!
I am forever grateful for the encouragement and love that you show me. Thank you for being you. I value you so very much β€
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy belated Sunday my friend and I hope that you are keeping well alongside your family during these difficult times β€οΈπ€
You are so right about empathy and the way that we view things, sometimes even a lack of understanding about a person’s situation still should not stop us from being kind.
Kindness is a quality in and of itself and I truly believe that we should never take any act of kindness for granted that is shown to us nor should we allow ourselves to become so wrapped up in our own lives and problems that we neglect others. β€οΈπ€π
Please take care of yourself and your family and stay safe and well during these unprecedented and uncertain times ππ€
LikeLiked by 1 person
Paul! So good to hear from you. You have been in my thoughts and I am glad to see you here again. I trust you are doing okay?
And you are right! We won’t always understand the ‘why’, even when someone tries to explain it to us… because we are all different and some things we may not comprehend. But that should never prohibit us from displaying kindness β€
Sending you a hug, my friend π Hope you enjoy the upcoming weekend π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good afternoon my friend,
You too have been in my thoughts but I have been experiencing some difficulties with both my Gmail account and WordPress account also. π
Neither of them are recognising my email address and password etc so I am finding it really frustrating, I think as well that with so many people having time on their hands a lot more people are blogging, I personally think that quality over quantity works better for me ππ€
I am really glad to see you again also on here and I am also glad that you and your family are staying as safe and well as you can be.
Enjoy the rest of your week and the weekend π€β€οΈ
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Thich Nhat Hanh quote explains Empathy beautifully. And your explanation inspires confidence in us to understand others and their issues. Nice blog with a meaningful quest.
Regards πΉ
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you β€
LikeLiked by 2 people
Love the quote. Blame gives the responsibility to the other person (or to the lettuce), whereas trying to understand means taking some responsibility on ourselves. Blame feels like the easy option, when it is understanding that actually gives us some power to make a difference.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true. Thank you for reading, and commenting π
LikeLike