WHAT WE ALL SEEK

EMPATHY, NOT SYMPATHY

It is natural and good that most all of us share some of the same needs. We hope to be understood for who we are, when we ourselves are unsure who we are. Perhaps this is a hope to learn about ourselves through the eyes of others.

Often I speak of our “being in this together”. I think we all know or at least hope for this, but the profound truth of this togetherness tends to reach beyond my understanding. I suspect I am not alone in this failure to grasp this fundamental truth, the truth of our oneness.

We live lives that, from childhood forward, seem to be as separate individuals, on our own except for family and trusted friends. When we lose confidence that our family knows or understands us, and may not even care to, the sense of isolation can seem unbearable. Then we too often learn that trusted friends are not always that trustworthy.

This can, and often does, cause depression, hopelessness, and serious questions about life itself. We may at times find ourselves asking the profound question raised by the great genius Shakespeare, “To be, or not to be. That is the question”. This is a frightening place in which to find ourselves.

The several directions free will offers us are obvious, to give up on ourselves and life, and seek to escape the seemingly intolerable challenges of a meaningless life we feel we can no more tolerate, and play God by suicide. This is always a sad decision. It terminates all possibilities of succeeding to achieve the purposes…