Empathy vs. Sympathy

What is the difference between empathy and sympathy? Sympathy is feeling compassion, sorrow, or pity for the hardships that another person encounters, while empathy is putting yourself in the shoes of another. These words are often used interchangeably which is incorrect. Empathy goes beyond sympathy; with empathy, there is a sense of caring and understanding for the suffering of others. Feeling with people vs. feeling for people. Check out the video to learn more about this difference. 

What is the best way to ease someone's pain and suffering? In this beautifully animated RSA Short, Dr Brené Brown reminds us that we can only create a genuine empathic connection if we are brave enough to really get in touch with our own fragilities.