Sympathy is a difficult emotion for many people to understand. In simplistic terms, sympathy can be described as closely understanding another person's feelings.
This can manifest itself in telling the person that you understand whatever he or she is feeling.
Sympathy generally has to do with understanding negative emotions, such as unhappiness, pain, or suffering. By being sympathetic, people are not just saying things
that they think the other person wants to hear, but by truly showing that the emotion is deeply understood. This can either be shown through words or actions that
relay the idea that the person understands the emotions. Basically, it is confirming that it is okay to feel that way and that the situation warrants such a deep
emotional reaction. A person can even feel sympathetic without actually feeling the same emotion. As long as he or she tries to understand the emotion that the other person is exhibiting, sympathy is being carried out.
Generally, being able to express sympathy is a positive thing. Those that truly want to help someone in need, and those that are truly upset when others are
in need - are said to be warm and kind people. All of us, at some point in our lives, will need sympathy from others. If we are able to express sympathy for others,
it will come back to us in the time when we need it most.
