The Empath Next Door

An empath is not the same thing as a person who experiences empathy for others.

Instead an Empath has developed a deep form of intuition, sensing the cues from other people, they are constantly watching and reading these cues without even realizing it. They are very skilled at reading body language, eye movements, and pick up on the overall energy of another person allowing them to see things that most people may miss.

Because of this they tend to know people on a deeper level, often sensing things about the other person before a subject is even discussed. While most relationships with people hover on a superficial level, a relationship with an empath is deep and powerful.

It is very difficult for an empath to be judgmental of another person, because they sense those things below the surface. While the rest of the world may only see the actions of the other person, an empath understands the emotions that underlie each action. They often know when someone is hiding something, or not telling the whole story.

Empaths come from many different sources, but often their abilities come from a need to be more aware of their surroundings than most. Having a chronically ill parent, or growing up in an abusive home can heighten these abilities.

Life in general can be difficult for an empath at times, because they not only sense the emotions of others, they often feel them as if they were their own. This doesn't just happen with intimate relationships, it can happen with casual acquaintances and even total strangers. This makes it very difficult for an empath to even be around certain people, especially those whose emotions tend to run high. Those emotions tend to rub off on the empath, leaving the empath tense for no real reason.

Some people just seem naturally drawn to an empath, deep friendships can develop rather quickly, and can be very emotionally intense. Because an empath can see what is below the surface they make great sounding boards and confidants on one level, because they understand what others might not.

Those with a high level of secrecy or guilt in their lives however have difficulty with empaths because an empath sees right through them. It is difficult to lie to an empath or hide major personality flaws, and that makes them dangerous to those who seek to hide true intentions. They sense a fraud long before others, and thus shy away from them seemingly without reason. An empath can literally see right through you.

While an empath may seem like something from the psychic realm, they really aren't. They are just normal people who have a heightened awareness of the world outside of themselves. They cannot tell the future, though they can sometimes sense the past.

Where empathy allows you to feel for another person, being an empath allows you to feel WITH that person.

Emotionally sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of others

Rarely concerned with own achievements, a quiet leader

Have little trouble discussing emotional issues

Avoid disharmonious people as it drains their energy

Uncomfortable around emotionally intense people

Very sensitive to violence and suffering

When a problem presents itself they struggle to find solutions

Often can't tolerate violent media

Struggle to understand the causes of suffering in the world

Difficulty justifying harming others even in self-defense

Often idealists, dreaming of ways to make the world a better place

Often found as volunteers

Can sense places where bad things have occurred

Sometimes shares another's physical pain, as well as emotional

Expressive, often musicians, artists, or writers

Make excellent counselors, therapists, or healers

Prone to unexplained depression

Can sometimes sense a loved ones suffering even at a distance

Considered to be "too emotional," or "too sensitive" by many

Draw others to them

Well liked by children and animals

Are genuinely interested in others

Sensitive what people really feel, rather what they pretend to feel

Often have difficulty being in large crowds, easily overwhelmed

Compassionate and understanding

Deeply interested in people as a whole

Can "catch" moods from others

Tend to feel what is outside more than inside of themselves

Non-violent, non-aggressive, often function as peacemakers

If they do harm another they suffer from tremendous guilt

Difficulty controlling emotions, cry easily

Others often open up to an empath without knowing why

People they have just met often feel they have known them their whole lives

For some this emotional connection to others becomes so powerful that they can no longer bear it. They turn to drugs or alcohol to numb the pain or they avoid people altogether. Empaths in general are prone to depression, because feeling everything on such an acute level is overwhelming. They often aren't aware that they are empaths, instead just learning to see the world as a very painful place to be.

Since they aren't aware they are picking up negative things from others, they tend to carry it around and allow it to build up to the point of emotional exhaustion. If an empath spends too much time around a negative person they can build up a layer of negativity themselves. If they don't find a healthy way of cleansing themselves of that negativity, depression and sometimes suicidal thoughts follow.

Sometimes an empathic person has to closely evaluate their relationships and start avoiding certain people for their own good. Learning relaxation, meditation, or even hypnosis and massage are all excellent ways to rid yourself of that negativity. Whatever you do, empath or not you can't carry that stuff around or it poisons you. Get rid of it however you have to and you will live a much happier life.

Another difficult part of being an empath comes with being in public places, especially in large groups. I have a very hard time with grocery stores, malls and things of the like. There are too many people, and too many emotions for me to sort out. This is common with empaths, and until they learn to shut down outside influences from strangers they can find public situations overwhelming.

Also, people who know or even suspect that you really can see through them, aren't exactly going to like it, especially if they have something to hide. You know things about them they don't want the rest of the world to know. They may go out of their way to "expose" you just to keep from being exposed themselves. Ignore them the best you can, they can only hurt you if you allow it, so don't allow it.

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