Have you ever had the experience of being with someone who is crying over genuinely difficult situations, yet you felt no compassion for them at all – even if you are a caring, compassionate, and empathic person?
Years ago, this was a very confusing situation for me, since I feel other’s feelings deeply. I finally understood that people cry from two different places – from genuinely wanting help in helping themselves or from self-abandonment, wanting someone to feel sorry for them and care-take them. When they want someone to feel sorry for them and take care of them, they are being a victim, and instead of feeling compassion for them and wanting to help them, you might feel pulled on and want to distance yourself.
