Brené Brown on Empathy

We all know what it feels like to share our pain with someone who doesn't seem to understand. Most can also relate to pushing the silver lining in attempt to alleviate someone's pain. It is difficult to accept that someone we care about is struggling, so naturally we try to fix it by trying to talk them out of their struggle. However, we don't realize that this form of sympathy is "driving disconnection" from the ones' we love. Learning to connect with your own emotions and discomfort can help bring awareness to your tendencies in relationships. When you are self-aware you can avoid reacting and make a choice about how you can best support them. 

"Rarely can a response make something better. What makes something better, is connection" - Brené Brown