Empath Responsibly

Being an empath is certainly a different experience of life than the average bear. Not better or worse, just different. There are many debates whether it is a blessing or a curse. It is neither. It is what you say it is. Is being left handed a blessing or a curse? No, it just is. We decide whether it is one or the other.

But being an empath comes with some responsiblities.

1) Don't play the victim. Just because you are an empath does not mean that others must tip toe around you. It also doesn't entitle you to have outbursts and blame it on being sensitive. You are a human being capable of conducting herself in a mature and responsible way. You just happen to be able to feel the emotions and pains of other people. This should make you more understanding and capable, not less so. Sensitive does not mean fragile.

2) Don't become a bully. Because you have awareness of how other people feel does not mean you have carte blanche to address it with them. This is invasive. Subtly seeking them out and opening a door if they wish to talk is a kind thing. Badgering them to talk about it is not. Be respectful of people's privacy. If they want to talk to you about it, they will if you allow the opportunity, but don't force it.

3) Own it, don't advertise it. If you go somewhere and the energy is not right, then leave. There is no need to announce to anyone that you are an empath and need to leave because you 'can't take it anymore'. Whether this is online or in 3D reality, it is unnecessary. It doesn't do any good to make any such announcement. It is only to bring attention to yourself and is not a very empowered way of being.

4) Don't use being an empath as an excuse. This really belongs to #1 and #3 above, but I feel it warrants its own. Don't back away from conflict resolution because you are 'sensitive'. Conflict resolution is NOT negative. It is empowering and is the place where relationships can grow. Ongoing conflict is not. However, I am noticing a trend in empaths fleeing at the first sight of conflict resolution, claiming it to be 'negative' and 'too much' for them. This is ridiculous!! Life isn't without friction, its how we handle that friction that makes the difference in our lives! We have been given the gift of empath-ness. This gives us the advantage to see beyond the behavior into the feelings that initiated it. We can use that to identify the other person's fears and diffuse the situation.

5) Handle your own emotions effectively. As empaths we project our own energies more forcefully, just as we receive energies more forcefully. It is important for us to be aware of this and not spew our negative crap all over the place. This is another reason why grounding and shielding are important. When we are grounded we are less apt to cast our negative emotions all over unsuspecting victims. Grounding helps us manage those negative emotions more effectively and efficiently. Don't forget that not only do we feel other's emotions more significantly, we feel our own more significantly too.

6) Don't patronize others who are not empathic. Being an empath is a gift. While it makes us special, it does NOT make us MORE special than anyone else. Don't let the ego convince you that your experience of life is better, more or superior to that of others. It just is. Being arrogant about it, will islolate you from everyone.

To borrow the alcohol industries disclaimer...

Empath responsibly.

#beinganempath #responsibilitiesofbeinganempath #empathicabilities