Tuesday, February 19, 2008

The Empath

Anyone remember the old Star Trek show?? There was an episode once called THE EMPATH (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Empathm ) . Basically, it was about this woman that felt any emotion of those she was close to. If someone was scared, she felt it too etc. That's sort of how I feel about my friends. When they hurt, I hurt too...when they're scared, I'm scared too. When they cry, I tear up too and blow my nose.

I hope I am always sensitive and respectful to my friends when they are in pain or going through a rough time. Because of my experience with Mark and grief, I hope I have learned what NOT to say...such as:

1. It could be worse
2. God doesn't give you more than you can handle
3. At least your other kids are normal.

Etc, etc, etc.

Folks, everyone has the right to feel like shat now and then and feel like they got a raw deal. Most of the folks I know and love rarely allow themselves to do this because they strive so dang hard to be strong and hold it together and they don't want to abuse the "self sorrow" card. I'm here to tell you that it's ok now and then to have that feeling. I know I have had days where I thought " who the flock did I piss off in the universe" ....we have the right to feel sorry for ourselves now and then. How else can we effectively give sympathy to others if we don't show the same kindness to ourselves now and then??


I love my friends and I say a silent prayer for them daily. Blessed am I for knowing them and receiving the abundance of their love and support and even more blessed am I should I return it.



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XXOXX

9 comments:

Momijimanjyu said...

I remember the Charmed episode of the empath.

Drama "O" said...

Sniff and Amen MM !!

For the record .. you have always been there for me ;)

MNBandMom said...

Ditto

Mama said...

I'm sure I've said all of those things to others! Well, maybe not #3 - but that's mostly because I don't think there's such a thing as a normal kid!!

Speaking of doing/saying empathetic things - we'll all be thinking of you and Mark during his surgery this week. Keep us posted!!

MNBandMom said...

Well you get the drift Mama....people say some horrendous ( spelling? ) things but I realize we all have said some bonehead things ( I am the queen!! ). You quickly learn to gauge ( how do you spell that? ) whether someone means well and just can't find the right words vs someone who just is insensitive.

Mama said...

Yes- the evil vs. idiot meter. I so getcha!

Momijimanjyu said...

Y'all have been there for me. Thank you!!!

MNBandMom said...

You know Momiji ....you really are a peach.....

Momijimanjyu said...

I hope thats good. lol

Never been called a peach before.