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Readers Respond: Pros and Cons of Being an Empath
Responses: 142

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From the article: About Empathy and Empaths

Share Post: Are you an empath, deeply sensitive to the emotions of other people? What empathic traits do you possess? Are you able to distinguish your own emotions from others? Do you feel being empathic is a gift or a curse? Share about your empathic nature? Share Your Feelings

In Hiding.

I am struggling with the ability as I am effected so hard by others that my physical suffers greatly. I keep self as seperate from others a possible until I find an off switch. I am also in conflict with the gift and how it fits into my belief system as a christian. Because of rejection by "religious" as a demon gift, I suffer in silence as I am asked to help and am approached for help. I need teaching help on how to close the door or find the off switch. I have absorbed "spirits" and had a tramatic reaction and hard time to rid myself of it. How do I live in a world and not be effected by the wind? Is there anyone out there to help teach me in the gift and to control it?
—Guest Melinda

Here to help Empaths

Being an empath effects my whole life. There are times I can't focus on anything but the negativity is stuck in my body. I have placed salt in my bedroom as well as the living room. It helps absorb some of the negativity. Don't worry you will still be able to help others. I have also tried using a tuning fork. It has really helped me clear some of the energy. I hope all this information is helpful. The salt thing is great. It helped me a lot. Just place salt in an open container and put it anywhere in your house.
—Guest Maya

Gift/Curse ?

I have been an empath all my life. I have learned to progress my talents and abilities to the point of elemental manipulation, not just feeling but also seeing the past present and future although I am there, healing, kenetic energy transfer, manipulation of anothers mind. I have an amazing gift that I use everyday. Having these talents and gifts can be a curse. We with these abillities can change the outlook of everyday. We can change any choice or situation just by opening up and using them to help or to hurt. The problem comes to play when we lose our sense of mind trying so hard to figure out our place that we get overwhelmed. To those empathes I say breathe in the energy of others and get your balance again. To the others just remember to smile, it is still a beautiful day. If it is dark and you think it is night remember the other side of the world it is day. It is always day somewhere which makes live beautiful. There is always a light to hold on to. Good luck out there.
—Guest Utah Jay

gifts...

I'm a teenage empath... which is weird... I'm in school all day, in crowded hallways and classes, so I feel like I'm always being assaulted with emotions. Definite down side. But I love using my gift to help other people, and I don't know what I'd do without it. For those of us who hate their gift, why waste such powerful emotion on this? You're stuck with it; God wants us to be good stewards of what He has given to us. The pain we feel now is nothing compared to the pain that He feels when we ignore the wonderful thing He has blessed us with. I've been hurt many times because of being an empath, but I did not allow those situations to determine how I would live the rest of my life. Having something this special and having the resources to understand it is something we need to take advantage of to help those in our world who are hurting.
—Guest Allison

I'm an Empath too!

I was always able to pick up the energy from people - the problem I had was they I often thought the negative energy was directed at me and only now realize it has nothing to do with me - I'm learning to shut that off - on another note I've also always know things before they happen based on being able to read and feel the energy of others - so this is cool! Now I just have to learn to trust myself!
—Guest Anita

Learning to be me.

I have known for some years now that I am empathetic. I wondered, though, if I am an Empath. To me being able to be empathetic means being able to, or having the capacity to empathize with others or "walk a mile in their mocasans". Being an Empath is something different. It is a gift that one is born with of the psychic variety. I've always known I was empathetic - but I suspected I was an empath. I think there are 3 varieties of empaths: receiving empaths - can feel what others are feeling; projecting empaths - are capable of projecting their emotional states and experiences onto others so that they are literaly acting out what is going on with the empath; and 3 - both - they have the ability to do both. I suspected I was both for a while. Now I know I do both. While that is the good news, it is also the bad news. I need to learn how to be this - it has used me most of my life. I use tobacco as a shield (it works good) but it doesn't teach me how to be what I was born to be.
—CathyLB

Empath in Discovery

I am now ready to share my "feelings" and am frustrated and worn out, but yet, am happy to have the gifts that I do have.I appreciate the gifts I was born with and am trying to develop said gifts further but am tired.
—Guest Stephi

Need answers

Since I was basically born I could feel others' physical and emotions with pain with point accuracy. My dreams are very discomforting. I can immediately touch where someone is hurting and tell them why or simply be in their presence and know what type of person they are. When I was a very young child I would feel as if I "were turning inside out" basically what has been expressed as an "out of body" experience. I feel ill after working on someone due to not being able to "shield" myself properly because I never knew what I had. People feel very uncomfortable with me after I work on them because what I did worked for them. I don't know how I do this and can give them no other explanation other than I have always had this gift.. kind of like child prodigies that are born with the gift of sports or music that is understood by most people. Actually I am a bit scared myself.
—Guest Taylor

A definate empath

I am an empath, without a shadow of a doubt. I cry when I watch sad films, in fact I will cry when watching adverts that I feel are upsetting. If I see someone upset or hurt, I will try and do anything to make things right for them. Many of my friends will come to me if they need a shoulder to cry on, and I enjoy being there for them. I hate confrontation so much, and will do anything to avoid it. I used to feel like a bit of a wimp, but I now accept that this is part of who I am, and I can't change it. The only drawback is that people take advantage of my kind nature, and though I know when this is happening, I am not assertive enough to do anything about it, plus I wouldn't want to hurt their feelings!!
—Guest Guest running girl

Not Bothered By It

I think it is wonderful to be able to feel what other people feel. I often get a "sense" of what friends are up too. Being able to do this is a remarkable gift. I tend to be very spiritial so this makes it all the better for me.
—Guest Guest, Stephanie

Being as an Empath

Kabbalah teaches that the purpose of Creation is to make a dwelling for soul, in this the lowest of all worlds.W hy does soul need to leave the comforts of a spiritual world to come down here? In the spiritual world She feels the rays of the Creator, exterior to Herself. In this world She is in a body and can experince the sensuality, of a relationship with Her Creator, a deeper interior relationship. Therefore coming down here, is the chosen place for soul to have a deeper meaningful relationship with the Divine. Being an empath is being intuned with this purpose.
—Guest Allan Shaffer

I am an empath also

I feel when people are mentally and physically ill as well as with plants and trees. I do not take on symptoms however, I feel a weak energy like a "clue." I am very good with animals (in particular wild birds). Sick or wounded birds come to me for care and I can pick the ones in need out of flock of hundreds. I work very hard at grounding and transferring positive energy through my hands. I say blessings over all things in my life which is like a release of negative energy. It helps me let it go. I spend 3 to 4 hours a day outside. These are just a few things I know about being an empath.
—MightyHeart

Happy to have these abilities

This is the first time I have read up on this. My boyfriend used to tell me that I'm crazy for letting myself get so emotional over "everything." Honestly I love the fact that I can feel peoples emotions. I don't mind crying or being over sensitive. I feel very much alive and in tune with earth and life. I know I seem cheesy to some people but I greatly appreciate air leaves color sky sounds taste smell. I feel so connected to everything around me and I feel that everything knows that I am here. I do have pets in my home but I also feed the animals around my home. If I know someone needs me, I am there. I feel it's my duty to love and care not just for my family but my world/life as one. It brings me great feeling almost a childish pleasure. I spend most of days smiling at everyone and everything. I am happy to have finally shared this in all honesty. Thank you.
—Guest Wendy Saucedo

Me Too!

I have just started to understand that I too am an empath. I have always felt the feelings of others, sometimes to the point of it hurting me emotionally. Strangers will start talking about personal issues without me asking details. I have to take a "vacation" from the world sometimes to recharge and get away. I prefer to be with small crowds or alone. A word to the positive: This has helped me much in my career. I am a fraud investigator for a state agency. Get this: I do not have a degree (odd in this day and age). I was told by my new boss that she wanted me for the job due to my ability to "read people." I also handle the most difficult clients when they come to the office due to my ability to calm them. I have a difficult time "turning it off." I am starting to be able to do so but it takes effort to do so.
—Guest SherryLynn65

Overwhelmed by Feelings of Others

I also have always felt overwhelmed by others' feelings. I didn't know I am an empath till recently (even though I'm 42 now). I couldn't understand how I just "know" things but I eventually started to trust these things I just knew the hard way! Too many bad events to ignore that warning in my head anymore! In this way its a blessing, but other people's emotions are just too much for me to handle! I'm also constantly bombarded by others' feelings with no time out to recover! I need to learn how to block it out when it is too much and I can't unless heavily drugged! That's no "life." Please help me. I'm drowning in others' emotional upheavals and my dwnstairs neighbors are driving me insane with all the drama of 2 teenage girls(that are really bad) plus their parents drama all day and night. It never ends and I'm always angry with their rage not my own! Please help me control this somebody?
—Guest pam