The Journey Inward

I've always felt, thought and loved deeply,
and have always been able to put myself
in others' shoes to understand their perspective.
At different times in my life,
I've viewed this as gift or curse,
depending on the impact.
It's beautiful to be so empathetic,
but it can come at a cost.

I watch and read about world disasters,
nature and human made,
needing to see the people impacted,
hear their stories, feel their pain.
I carry it with me throughout my days,
feeling connected and supportive,
but also weighed down and guilty.

I recently read about Toxic Empathy,
and felt some resonance.
I have been empathetic to people
who have hurt me terribly~
lying, deceiving, betraying, being selfish~
because I have understood their why,
and had compassion for their hurt and pain.
I saw their wounded inner child,
felt their trauma.
Hurt people hurt people,
as the saying goes,
and so I forgave.

But addicts, narcissists, and dysfunctional systems
seek out empaths for this very reason.
They take forgiveness as permission
and continue their hurtful ways.
Empaths enable this pattern of behavior
by preventing others from having to take accountability.

The antidote?
BOUNDARIES!
Boundaries allow for detachment.
I can be empathetic and compassionate,
I can see the history and know the story,
I can respect the humanity,
and I can value myself with a boundary that says,
I am unwilling to be treated this way.