...or a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering is what some people lack. This quality is usually not highly valued in today's society and, as a result, people were "masks" to protect themselves and keep their innermost feelings to themselves for fear of ridicule. Consequently, people may self-medicate or take out their frustrations on others and it becomes a cycle.

To have an intellectual and emotional awareness and understanding of another person's thoughts, feelings, and behavior, even those that are distressing and disturbing, is a way to create a positive space for healing. Empathy emphasizes understanding, sympathy emphasizes sharing, of another person's feelings and experiences.

When someone confides in me I see it as a blessing and sometimes amazing things can happen.