The weight of the world

Understanding the feelings that someone is experiencing through empathy is one thing, taking their feelings on as your own is another. When we practice empathy we demonstrate our caring for others by stepping into their shoes to see how their experience colors their interpretation of events. When we take on their feelings we have bought the shoes. It is then that we may begin to feel the weight of those feelings exerting their pressure upon us. Imagine that weight magnified by the number of people for whom you do this. It is not your responsibility to assume the feelings of others. Those feeling are theirs alone to do with as needed. We can offer a listening ear, but we do not have to fix their feelings. Oftentimes people need to walk through their emotional states as a way to learn about themselves. Think about what you have learned after experiencing anger, disappointment, or fear. Your new learnings can create a sense of strength and resolve to move beyond what brought these feelings on to begin with. When you honor the feelings of others and allow them to have this emotional experience, you release yourself from having to take them onto yourself. Imagine walking through life carrying a bag of stones on your shoulders. How much energy would you have to enjoy your own life if you did that? What feelings are you carrying today that are not yours to carry and what can you do to release their burden?