re: Lori's Sympathy vs. Empathy and The Choice to have Fibromyalgia.

[Guest guest]

Webster says empathy is the intellectual identification of oneself

with another. He says that sympathy is feeling for another in pain or

grief.And he says that pity is the sympathy or sorrow for others

suffering. With this said, could you not just consider that these

words identify human feelings toward other humans.That maybe it would

be better to recieve empathy,sympathy or even pity, then nothing at

all. I believe it is human nature that if you can't see it, it must

not be there. Have you ever talked to your child until you are blue

in the face and it seems they just don't get it, at least not until

they experience it for themselves. I believe empathy might more

describe our Group, we understand 1st hand each other's pain. The

sympathy and pity come from those who care, but can not completly

understand (thank god) what we truly feel (they can not see it). We

did not choose this illness but we do have the choice on the way we

assume someone else feels about the way we feel. We can choose to be

angry with them, or choose to to understand them too. We know how we

feel! If someone else does not share this illness, they really do not

understand, and you will explain it, until you are blue in the face,

if they give sympathy or pity, at least they feel for you.

If walking is painful and limits your quality time with loved ones,

maybe you could make the choice to use a chair with wheels and make

the experience more enjoyable. And, be Happy for the time you are

allowed to share with each other. What is important is the quality of

time NOT the amount, right!

AND..........applying for Social Security Disability is NOT a luxury,

this I know 1st hand, so you have no empathy there.

I was a single parent myself. It was a struggle. But I was blessed to

have every moment I could to share with my daughter, than none at all.

Remember you do have choices in Life, it's up to you to choose.

I do empathize, sympathize, and even pity you. With Love!

Make the choice to Smile Today just because someone cares!

Sherry in Arkansas

[Guest guest]

>

what a wonderful post! Thanks so much for sharing! Gretchen

> Webster says empathy is the intellectual identification of oneself

> with another. He says that sympathy is feeling for another in pain

or

> grief.And he says that pity is the sympathy or sorrow for others

> suffering. With this said, could you not just consider that these

> words identify human feelings toward other humans.That maybe it

would

> be better to recieve empathy,sympathy or even pity, then nothing

at

> all. I believe it is human nature that if you can't see it, it

must

> not be there. Have you ever talked to your child until you are

blue

> in the face and it seems they just don't get it, at least not

until

> they experience it for themselves. I believe empathy might more

> describe our Group, we understand 1st hand each other's pain. The

> sympathy and pity come from those who care, but can not completly

> understand (thank god) what we truly feel (they can not see it).

We

> did not choose this illness but we do have the choice on the way

we

> assume someone else feels about the way we feel. We can choose to

be

> angry with them, or choose to to understand them too. We know how

we

> feel! If someone else does not share this illness, they really do

not

> understand, and you will explain it, until you are blue in the

face,

> if they give sympathy or pity, at least they feel for you.

> If walking is painful and limits your quality time with loved

ones,

> maybe you could make the choice to use a chair with wheels and

make

> the experience more enjoyable. And, be Happy for the time you are

> allowed to share with each other. What is important is the quality

of

> time NOT the amount, right!

> AND..........applying for Social Security Disability is NOT a

luxury,

> this I know 1st hand, so you have no empathy there.

> I was a single parent myself. It was a struggle. But I was blessed

to

> have every moment I could to share with my daughter, than none at

all.

> Remember you do have choices in Life, it's up to you to choose.

> I do empathize, sympathize, and even pity you. With Love!

> Make the choice to Smile Today just because someone cares!

> Sherry in Arkansas

>