Having empathy for other people is the ability to feel what they are feeling through conscious means. You should always try to put yourself in someone else’s shoes before judging their actions. But having empathy isn’t the same as sympathizing with someone and giving your tacit approval of their behavior.
Someone can tell me a story of why they can’t achieve their fitness goals, and I can put myself in their shoes. I can do this because I’ve felt the same feelings that they are experiencing at that time. However, this doesn’t mean I pity or feel bad for that person because what is holding them back is usually an addressable issue.
Not like we live in Afghanistan or are under the threat of nuclear radiation. We live in the safe city of Singapore. Beyond some extreme physical ailment, it’s pretty rare that someone can’t achieve their goals. Some have a more difficult path than others, no doubt. But getting in shape and improving your health really isn’t theoretically that hard. It’s hard because it usually requires behavior change to some degree or another.
So I can have empathy, but I may not sympathize. Sometimes you just have to give it to them straight in the face.
