"I'm sorry," he said.
"Don't be sorry. Just be better." And she meant it.
--
Empathy is an amazingly beautiful thing. It allows us to step outside of ourselves and place ourselves in someone else's situation. It can be hard. It is usually painful. But empathy connects and allows for incredible vulnerability. Unpresidented connections can be built from these moments.
But what happens when empathy becomes about us? Seeking, craving, and grabbing for empathy for empathy's sake? Or worse, for our own self validation?
The reality is that there is an invisible line between empathy and ego.
And the line, so hard to see, can be traversed without even noticing. And then it is not longer beautiful. It is just a shameless exploitation of others. Empathy is never for us. But if you find yourself seeking it out for your own gains, it might be time to be better.