Life of an Empath

Research suggests only 1-2% of the population possesses empath traits.

There is a forest, between utopia and chaos,

Where a quiet doe strolls before morning’s dawn.

Meditation’s focus is the hoot of an owl.

Thankful birds sing praise for the new day.

 

Elusive and introverted, a focused fox chuckles:

“Scurry away, frightened raccoon in your mask!

The perfect shield is the turtle’s shell.”

Provoked, an angry bear growls, suddenly awoken from blissful hibernation.

Depressed, a lonely coyote, howls at the moon.

 

High above, a liberated eagle sighs:

“You can’t see the forest for the trees!”

 

Spiritual solace is a mysterious journey, infinite as stars in the sky.

Empathy an entangled maze, rooted securely below the forest floor.

Reviews

[Chris]

Perhaps the research "experts" are mistaken or actually clueless and/or in search of social recognition and lead others toward inappropriate directions? I liked this poem for what YOU had to say and the way YOU expressed your thoughts. On a personal note - throughout my entire life (except for children who soon learn better) I have known very, very few people for whom intentional meanness was the dominate trait of their existence. And yes I have known bullies - but they are also few and far between - and I as well as others have stood up and backed them down. Caring is personal - true, but interaction always seems to bring understanding of the others' side to BOTH sides - and isn't that empathic?

[LisaCarol]

Hello again, Chris

There is a bit of a difference between being empathetic and being an actual Empath. You are definitely expressing empathy when you stand up against bullies. I applaud you for doing that as it is so necessary in our current society. Being an Empath means you are a person who can actually feel and absorb the emotions of others around you. Without realizing it, Empaths take on the emotions of others and think it is their own emotions. It is a bit hard for non-Empaths to understand. For example, I can walk into a room and immediately know how others are feeling and I start feeling that same way despite how I felt before I entered the room. Until I was made aware of this, I suffered a lot of depression and anxiety because I never understood why my emotions were so erratic. Now that I know, I have certain rituals and meditations that send those emotions back to their rightful owners. It sounds really goofy to non-empaths. A bit like witchcraft, I suppose.

Lisa

[Chris]

Thank you Lisa (and I mean it) for helping me to better understand the terms and their difference. I have felt similar to you at walking into a room or upon a situation charged with highly evident emotional turmoil. I think life has done that to near everyone at sometime. It doesn't come across as witchcraft to me, nor wiccan. I look forward to more of your work.

[Twilight]

I liked how you infused the animals, with some human emotions and behaviours.

Spiritual solace, can indeed take a mysterious journey; in order to reach it. And, even if you think that you have found it; for how long is it likely to last? Indeed, just a matter of time; until some life event disturbs that solace?

"Thankful birds sing praise for the new day", setting a worthy example for many ungrateful humans to follow?

According to some research, actively demonstrating empathy with people; helps with our own sense of well-being and self-esteem.

Thanks for sharing.

[LisaCarol]

Thank you for the review and the kind words. In my experience, not many people know how to express empathy or prefer not to. It is always a joy when I meet other empathetic people.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

this was a great visualisation of what you go through daily. a forest between utopia and chaos is a perfect way to describe life of a deeply feeling person. our happy days are unbelievably happy, but our anxieties are hellish. thus, empathy is a double-edged sword and stronger the level of empathy the sharper the blade.
a very thought-provoking work. i related to this strongly, but im sure everyone will learn something from reading this.

[LisaCarol]

Thank you for the kind words. The line about utopia and chaos came to me because I live between two cities, Boulder and Denver, Colorado, USA. Residents of Boulder call their city utopia (very pompous like most of the people that live there). Denver has been awful since Covid. I guess we find inspiration from many sources. Thanks again!

[Ken Simm.]

I find this so beautiful and indeed empathic.

[LisaCarol]

Thank you Ken. I am very appreciative of your review and happy that you like the poem.