Traits of an Empath #8

8. Always looking out for the underdog: Anyone whose suffering, in emotional pain or being bullied draws an empath’s attention and compassion.

Oh.  Hell.  Yes.

Ask Jeremy how many times he has heard this:  "Jeremy?  How can we help them?  There has to be something we can do..."

This is yet another reason Gail does not watch the news.  Her sappy little heart can't handle the grandmas that get taken advantage of, stories of child abuse, animal neglect or whatever else there is.  My big heart just crumbles.

I do often come across  as heartless.  Really, it's an act.  I've learned the automatic response is to "Just say No."  Because, I have to say no.  If I don't say "No", I'll say "yes" to everything.  And if I do say yes, I push my sleeves up, dive in and my bulldozer and I take it over.  I can't let myself do that.  People get hurt, I spread myself too thin, and then no one is happy and I've made enemies. And then there is Jeremy because after all is said and done, he has to put me back together after the "why don't they care as much as I do", "doesn't this matter to them?" and on and on.

I feed the stray cats (or beg Jeremy to let me) in the neighborhood.  I contributed towels and blankets to the oil spill we had here, I've donated jeans to make quilts for soldiers, and I don't know what all else, I just try to fill the need as best I can with what I can.  I am truly blessed to have a husband who knows when to reel me back in before I'm out of control.

And that adopt a Christmas family thing we did...we are SO doing that again!!  :)