Empathy vs Sympathy: Which one are you?
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Date: 2023-08-20
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Comments and reviews: 25
DamienZshadow
I choose altruism because emotions are not conducive to effective judgment and often end up clouding it. Examples brought in don't show how necessary it is to experience those feelings to do the right thing but that it simply did not inquire enough information to determine the right thing. It may be said that there was some altruistic and beneficial results in throwing out the old broken toy because it teaches the child to not form attachments two things due to sentimental value as all things will eventually decay and die. But assuming it wasn't the right thing to do, it means the person in question didn't do enough research to assess the issue and find an appropriate solution. It isn't because emotions ones involved.
Empathizing with others doesn't lead to reducing suffering either, it just means that you're likely to base your reaction off those emotions which maybe impairing your judgment. When someone empathizes you don't automatically reduce the amount of sad people in the world, you multiply it and hope that motivates you to do something about that initial factor that caused the sadness in the first place. We need less empathetic people and more altruistic people who think and react appropriately based on logic and reasoning. Stoic philosophers really had the best approach with regards to this.
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I choose altruism because emotions are not conducive to effective judgment and often end up clouding it. Examples brought in don't show how necessary it is to experience those feelings to do the right thing but that it simply did not inquire enough information to determine the right thing. It may be said that there was some altruistic and beneficial results in throwing out the old broken toy because it teaches the child to not form attachments two things due to sentimental value as all things will eventually decay and die. But assuming it wasn't the right thing to do, it means the person in question didn't do enough research to assess the issue and find an appropriate solution. It isn't because emotions ones involved.
Empathizing with others doesn't lead to reducing suffering either, it just means that you're likely to base your reaction off those emotions which maybe impairing your judgment. When someone empathizes you don't automatically reduce the amount of sad people in the world, you multiply it and hope that motivates you to do something about that initial factor that caused the sadness in the first place. We need less empathetic people and more altruistic people who think and react appropriately based on logic and reasoning. Stoic philosophers really had the best approach with regards to this.
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angxlaxox
i'd feel pity for the old man, it wouldn't sadden me though. i'd have no problem going on about my day after.
I've kinda analysed my behaviour when it comes to these situations, but i'm not sure which one i have the most of or which one i'm lacking in. i'll give a few examples
if a friend calls me and is sad i'd listen to them and comfort them however it won't really make me feel anything. i'd understand why they''re sad and stuff but seeing them sad won't make me sad myself. i'm still always there for people, especially those close to me.
same when i hear a news story, it doesn't bother me. i have no problem watching the news and not feeling anything myself for whatever happened. of course whatever happened might be horrible and i'd definitely think wow this is terrible or how can someone do this? but it won't make me feel sad or upset.
of course like i said i have a hard time feeling what others feel, if they're overly excited i won't be, if they're sad i won't mirror that feeling. it's just behaviour i've noticed in myself and i'm interested to hear what it says about me: )
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i'd feel pity for the old man, it wouldn't sadden me though. i'd have no problem going on about my day after.
I've kinda analysed my behaviour when it comes to these situations, but i'm not sure which one i have the most of or which one i'm lacking in. i'll give a few examples
if a friend calls me and is sad i'd listen to them and comfort them however it won't really make me feel anything. i'd understand why they''re sad and stuff but seeing them sad won't make me sad myself. i'm still always there for people, especially those close to me.
same when i hear a news story, it doesn't bother me. i have no problem watching the news and not feeling anything myself for whatever happened. of course whatever happened might be horrible and i'd definitely think wow this is terrible or how can someone do this? but it won't make me feel sad or upset.
of course like i said i have a hard time feeling what others feel, if they're overly excited i won't be, if they're sad i won't mirror that feeling. it's just behaviour i've noticed in myself and i'm interested to hear what it says about me: )
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Sofialu
Of I understood the definitions properley I guess I'm a combination between Pitty and Sympathy?
I can imagine what someone is going through and I'm able to understand what anyone may be thinking or feeling, however It never affects me directly.
For example, I have this friend whose parents got divorced, I felt so bad wanting to do more for her but I only could be there for her and hug her while she was crying, there was nothing I could say or do. But wpuld have liked to do more
Then there is this time I was coming back from somewhere and I bought some biscuits. Walking, I cross by a homless man looking in the trashcan and even though at first I kept my way, I stopped and daubted looking back like 3 times thinking I could gave him this but after some minutes I couldn't and went home feeling bad about it, when I told my mom she told me not to worry that much because I couldn't known what type of person that was, but that didn't made it less sad.
I think I kinda forced myself to stop thinking about it to stop feeling bad for choosing to keep my way, but I didn't forget.
Idk.
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Of I understood the definitions properley I guess I'm a combination between Pitty and Sympathy?
I can imagine what someone is going through and I'm able to understand what anyone may be thinking or feeling, however It never affects me directly.
For example, I have this friend whose parents got divorced, I felt so bad wanting to do more for her but I only could be there for her and hug her while she was crying, there was nothing I could say or do. But wpuld have liked to do more
Then there is this time I was coming back from somewhere and I bought some biscuits. Walking, I cross by a homless man looking in the trashcan and even though at first I kept my way, I stopped and daubted looking back like 3 times thinking I could gave him this but after some minutes I couldn't and went home feeling bad about it, when I told my mom she told me not to worry that much because I couldn't known what type of person that was, but that didn't made it less sad.
I think I kinda forced myself to stop thinking about it to stop feeling bad for choosing to keep my way, but I didn't forget.
Idk.
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JESSE
I think it would depend on how I was feeling that day to be honest. On some days Im a lot better than on other days. Which I think is probably true of most people. About altruism though Can altruism really exist? I mean does anybody really do things for purely selfless reasons? I mean at the very least they would be doing the thing because it makes them feel like a better person or because it Bring some sense of personal satisfaction, right? it just seems like such an unattainable goal. To be altruistic. Because I think when people think of altruism they expect it to be a good act with absolutely nothing of themselves in the mix, like its coming from God or some thing, but even if they arent doing it because they are willfully trying to manipulate a situation, a person still does things to make themselves feel better. Im not saying that mankind is inherently selfish. I am saying that mankind is inherently ego driven and because of that theyre always somewhere in between. Even if you care about a person, the act of helping them is never really detached from self Is it?
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I think it would depend on how I was feeling that day to be honest. On some days Im a lot better than on other days. Which I think is probably true of most people. About altruism though Can altruism really exist? I mean does anybody really do things for purely selfless reasons? I mean at the very least they would be doing the thing because it makes them feel like a better person or because it Bring some sense of personal satisfaction, right? it just seems like such an unattainable goal. To be altruistic. Because I think when people think of altruism they expect it to be a good act with absolutely nothing of themselves in the mix, like its coming from God or some thing, but even if they arent doing it because they are willfully trying to manipulate a situation, a person still does things to make themselves feel better. Im not saying that mankind is inherently selfish. I am saying that mankind is inherently ego driven and because of that theyre always somewhere in between. Even if you care about a person, the act of helping them is never really detached from self Is it?
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Hummingbird13
Everytime I have opened up about my experiences and feelings to a close person in my life, I have been met with sympathy instead of empathy.
It was the kind of sympathy that feels like the person only understands your feelings by relating it to their own personal experiences and assuming youre feeling the same way. This can be a trap since my experience might be completely different theirs. People told me things that only made sense to them and not to me, and I didnt feel like they truly were understanding me. Even worse was when they gave me advice and pushed me to do things because they thought it was right even though I knew for my situation that wouldnt work. Or they dismissed my feelings by saying that I was being silly or crazy for feeling this way.
Sympathy is not a bad thing but I have made so many bad experiences with it that I have come to hate it. I just crave for empathy, someone who actually takes the time to understand my feeling from my perspective.
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Everytime I have opened up about my experiences and feelings to a close person in my life, I have been met with sympathy instead of empathy.
It was the kind of sympathy that feels like the person only understands your feelings by relating it to their own personal experiences and assuming youre feeling the same way. This can be a trap since my experience might be completely different theirs. People told me things that only made sense to them and not to me, and I didnt feel like they truly were understanding me. Even worse was when they gave me advice and pushed me to do things because they thought it was right even though I knew for my situation that wouldnt work. Or they dismissed my feelings by saying that I was being silly or crazy for feeling this way.
Sympathy is not a bad thing but I have made so many bad experiences with it that I have come to hate it. I just crave for empathy, someone who actually takes the time to understand my feeling from my perspective.
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education
Ok I'm confused allot so of I saw someone in pain I understand there pain bc I've been thru it but sometimes I haven't experienced it but ik how they feel but I don't care about them like if I saw a homeless man in the streets I understand his pain and Know how it feels but I won't help bc idc butt if I was homeless then I wouldn't feel bad about myself and won't care tho I understand my pain and keep it inside but if Its someone really really close to me and social which u have only one person like that I understand there pain ik it and I ty evrything to help them I even feel so so bad and my heart hurts I i don't do something but if I'm in a class example and someone I hurt I try to help thrm but I don't care I just whant to seem nice to somone even tho I am not--so what am I bc I'm genuinely confused.
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Ok I'm confused allot so of I saw someone in pain I understand there pain bc I've been thru it but sometimes I haven't experienced it but ik how they feel but I don't care about them like if I saw a homeless man in the streets I understand his pain and Know how it feels but I won't help bc idc butt if I was homeless then I wouldn't feel bad about myself and won't care tho I understand my pain and keep it inside but if Its someone really really close to me and social which u have only one person like that I understand there pain ik it and I ty evrything to help them I even feel so so bad and my heart hurts I i don't do something but if I'm in a class example and someone I hurt I try to help thrm but I don't care I just whant to seem nice to somone even tho I am not--so what am I bc I'm genuinely confused.
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Latte
This is wrong
You dont have to do ANYTHING to empathic. You dont have to help a homeless person out, help someone up when they fell or anything. THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO DO THESE ACTS THOUGH!
Empathy is when you feel bad for the person/object. Sympathy is when you feel bad for the event that occurred.
Ex: Empathetic person at a funeral My Heart wrenches for them. I feel extremely bad that they passed this early. Imagine how they are feeling right now above us?
Ex: Sympathetic person at funerals I am extremely sad that we ever need to do this right now. Its sucks that someone died today.
Pitying is a negative cognition of Sympathy
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This is wrong
You dont have to do ANYTHING to empathic. You dont have to help a homeless person out, help someone up when they fell or anything. THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO DO THESE ACTS THOUGH!
Empathy is when you feel bad for the person/object. Sympathy is when you feel bad for the event that occurred.
Ex: Empathetic person at a funeral My Heart wrenches for them. I feel extremely bad that they passed this early. Imagine how they are feeling right now above us?
Ex: Sympathetic person at funerals I am extremely sad that we ever need to do this right now. Its sucks that someone died today.
Pitying is a negative cognition of Sympathy
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education
I am not a psychologist but I thought that sympathy is sharing the emotion/painful circumstances that both parties understand. For instance If Miss B's brother dies and Miss A knew/knows Miss B's brother very well, Miss A sympathses with Miss B because there is a shared emotion.
On the other hand, if Miss B is involved in a car crash, Miss A who has never been in a car crash will comfort and listen to Miss B even it is only making the odd cup of coffee/tea.
In both cases there is pity ie from the Greek pathos.
Sympathy involves emotion flowing both ways whilst empathy is emotion flowing in one direction mainly.
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I am not a psychologist but I thought that sympathy is sharing the emotion/painful circumstances that both parties understand. For instance If Miss B's brother dies and Miss A knew/knows Miss B's brother very well, Miss A sympathses with Miss B because there is a shared emotion.
On the other hand, if Miss B is involved in a car crash, Miss A who has never been in a car crash will comfort and listen to Miss B even it is only making the odd cup of coffee/tea.
In both cases there is pity ie from the Greek pathos.
Sympathy involves emotion flowing both ways whilst empathy is emotion flowing in one direction mainly.
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satouoosugi2
Excellent video. The only error is defining empathy as the ability to share and experience the experience of another human being AND caring as a result. The caring part is an added feature that does not fall within the definition of empathy. While I don't believe a dictionary should be the only source from which we draw a word's definition and then navigate a concept's argument, it is an undeniably firm starting point and foundation for that conversation. Look up empathy in any dictionary. I am fairly certain the act of caring is not included. Oxford and Merriam-Webster do not mention any act of caring.
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Excellent video. The only error is defining empathy as the ability to share and experience the experience of another human being AND caring as a result. The caring part is an added feature that does not fall within the definition of empathy. While I don't believe a dictionary should be the only source from which we draw a word's definition and then navigate a concept's argument, it is an undeniably firm starting point and foundation for that conversation. Look up empathy in any dictionary. I am fairly certain the act of caring is not included. Oxford and Merriam-Webster do not mention any act of caring.
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my
So I'm altruistic. I have no idea what other people are feeling and I myself am pretty numb I just do stuff bc it's less of a hassel to do it now rather than later and typically stick to the book on everything when it comes to interacting with others. 18 abd never even had a crush. I make friends pretty easily but I don't have any emotional attachments eveb to family. I feel like I use people when they help me. It's like if I don't do it myself I some how took advantage of a situation. I just don't relate to others and it doesn't make sense.
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So I'm altruistic. I have no idea what other people are feeling and I myself am pretty numb I just do stuff bc it's less of a hassel to do it now rather than later and typically stick to the book on everything when it comes to interacting with others. 18 abd never even had a crush. I make friends pretty easily but I don't have any emotional attachments eveb to family. I feel like I use people when they help me. It's like if I don't do it myself I some how took advantage of a situation. I just don't relate to others and it doesn't make sense.
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Terrence
The dichotic mind of the western psychology is to define things, putting things in silo, boundary, and box. The problem with this way of thinking is not understanding the mind completely as a whole. Every problem/ailment/illness is treated in isolation depending on the diagnosis. Emotion and feeling is always a spectrum not an isolated thing. It is good clip for learning how to use the English language and not so much to understanding the mind.
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The dichotic mind of the western psychology is to define things, putting things in silo, boundary, and box. The problem with this way of thinking is not understanding the mind completely as a whole. Every problem/ailment/illness is treated in isolation depending on the diagnosis. Emotion and feeling is always a spectrum not an isolated thing. It is good clip for learning how to use the English language and not so much to understanding the mind.
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David
Well, poor and homeless we could do something to eliminate, as a society (e. g. via UBI and a homes guarantee, as examples of the kinds of thing I mean, without necessarily specifying a specific policy, let alone details of one, here. And we can't eliminate all sickness, but could provide universal healthcare. So, I kinda partially reject certain aspects of your opening premise. Otherwise, though, this seems like good info.
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Well, poor and homeless we could do something to eliminate, as a society (e. g. via UBI and a homes guarantee, as examples of the kinds of thing I mean, without necessarily specifying a specific policy, let alone details of one, here. And we can't eliminate all sickness, but could provide universal healthcare. So, I kinda partially reject certain aspects of your opening premise. Otherwise, though, this seems like good info.
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A'Shon
Thanks for the clarification. I think most people show sympathy which is not bad. Empathy sounds like knowing that persons journey because you've gone through the same if not really similar type of journey. I think an empathetic person will give you better advice if they have actually overcome the issue. I don't believe in empaths I think that is just acting, forcing yourself to feel that persons emotions.
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Thanks for the clarification. I think most people show sympathy which is not bad. Empathy sounds like knowing that persons journey because you've gone through the same if not really similar type of journey. I think an empathetic person will give you better advice if they have actually overcome the issue. I don't believe in empaths I think that is just acting, forcing yourself to feel that persons emotions.
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Sadma
what i have done give them anything I have on me extra for warmrh talked to them about where to go for help, listen to them chat about anything and let out reach a team that helps out homeless people with there needs and wants. i do go see when I can if anyone helped them or try to help out if I can. I'm still homeless but have helped few elderly get a roof over there head.
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what i have done give them anything I have on me extra for warmrh talked to them about where to go for help, listen to them chat about anything and let out reach a team that helps out homeless people with there needs and wants. i do go see when I can if anyone helped them or try to help out if I can. I'm still homeless but have helped few elderly get a roof over there head.
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VikingGeorge
Regarding homelessness, I don't feel any of what you said, but I feel disappointment towards that person: not working even a simple job and instead sitting there without doing anything useful. At the same time, the country's government is also responsible for this. But it's not my problem this person has gone to this, so I don't really care at this point.
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Regarding homelessness, I don't feel any of what you said, but I feel disappointment towards that person: not working even a simple job and instead sitting there without doing anything useful. At the same time, the country's government is also responsible for this. But it's not my problem this person has gone to this, so I don't really care at this point.
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shiney
Aultruism describes me. But is it what is it called to help my friend because I want her to think I care about her also to make people not think that I don't feel sympathy for that person and don't feel pity to that person but I do that to only pretend to be a good person? even if I don't care about anyone in this world?
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Aultruism describes me. But is it what is it called to help my friend because I want her to think I care about her also to make people not think that I don't feel sympathy for that person and don't feel pity to that person but I do that to only pretend to be a good person? even if I don't care about anyone in this world?
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ScourgeAshfur95
I suppose I only pity people, if rarely. I've been struggling to figure out empathy really, I don't understand it. Nor compassion and sympathy. I simply see the homeless man and don't care or feel anything. I only pity those I know well, and looking back I've only empathized once or twice.
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I suppose I only pity people, if rarely. I've been struggling to figure out empathy really, I don't understand it. Nor compassion and sympathy. I simply see the homeless man and don't care or feel anything. I only pity those I know well, and looking back I've only empathized once or twice.
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Blake
I think I get it. If someone tells me their father has passed away, I have empathy because I know exactly what that feels like. But when my father actually did pass away, I could only have sympathy for my mother because I have no idea what it feels like to lose your spouse.
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I think I get it. If someone tells me their father has passed away, I have empathy because I know exactly what that feels like. But when my father actually did pass away, I could only have sympathy for my mother because I have no idea what it feels like to lose your spouse.
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Gyuu
In school what we were taught is that sympathy is feeling what they are feeling while empathy is understanding what they are feeling.
So I have used that word to justify why I quitted nursing. I feel people's emotions even if they dont say anything. I feel like a sponge.
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In school what we were taught is that sympathy is feeling what they are feeling while empathy is understanding what they are feeling.
So I have used that word to justify why I quitted nursing. I feel people's emotions even if they dont say anything. I feel like a sponge.
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Siosifa
I normally don't like these videos, but this is very well detailed while keeping it simple and draws a clear line between two misunderstood emotions. I also appreciate the addition of the evil side of these emotions, as they are often difficult to spot for many.
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I normally don't like these videos, but this is very well detailed while keeping it simple and draws a clear line between two misunderstood emotions. I also appreciate the addition of the evil side of these emotions, as they are often difficult to spot for many.
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light
Bigotry leads to hate
Apathy cant be bothered
Pity feels sad yet superior
Sympathy shrugs, sighs and says, But, I just don't know what do
But
Empathy rolls up its sleeves and gets to work to make the world a better place for everyone.
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Bigotry leads to hate
Apathy cant be bothered
Pity feels sad yet superior
Sympathy shrugs, sighs and says, But, I just don't know what do
But
Empathy rolls up its sleeves and gets to work to make the world a better place for everyone.
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jeom
0: 39 i'm sorry but it's 2022 and i just thought why did he turn into 'Among Us'! Things will never be the same.
It really took a solid few seconds to actually understand it was a grave, but i can't un-see him morphing into among us.
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0: 39 i'm sorry but it's 2022 and i just thought why did he turn into 'Among Us'! Things will never be the same.
It really took a solid few seconds to actually understand it was a grave, but i can't un-see him morphing into among us.
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Cherry,
seeing other people sad or hurt almost never makes me sad or hurt, even if ive been through what theyre going through. but i still want to help them even if I dont understand or feel bad.
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seeing other people sad or hurt almost never makes me sad or hurt, even if ive been through what theyre going through. but i still want to help them even if I dont understand or feel bad.
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Gyuu
Pity. I am too scared of how another person will react, I constantly feel judged so no comforting words or what not but if I had money, will definitely buy him a blanket or a house lol.
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Pity. I am too scared of how another person will react, I constantly feel judged so no comforting words or what not but if I had money, will definitely buy him a blanket or a house lol.
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yassmine
I am compassiomate when it comes to animals! To stray animals! I feed and rescue! I am empathetic to many people, sympathetic to some and compasdionate to few.
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I am compassiomate when it comes to animals! To stray animals! I feed and rescue! I am empathetic to many people, sympathetic to some and compasdionate to few.
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