Empathy and sympathy are closely related, but both have different connotations.

Empathy is about feeling what someone else feels, whilst sympathy is about action. When you meet someone with empathy it isn't difficult to see they are sympathetic too. Someone who is sympathetic but not empathetic, may fail to connect emotionally with others.

Words express thoughts, but it’s acting on those words that show that we care. As the saying goes 'actions speak louder than words' and I believe that to be true.

A little bit more about empathy:

• Empathy helps us connect emotionally with others. Emotionally we should begin to feel less alone, but we should also try to open-up. Empathy also helps us heal;
• When someone shows they care and and are empathetic, it gives us the confidence to believe we can care back;
• Empathy brings families closer together. Empathy allows you to understand first-hand what someone feels, without part guessing and for you then to know if you need to change tack;
• Empathy brings trust.

Empathy is also the building block to relationships and that’s what relationships need to thrive on. Everyone can sympathise but not everyone can empathise.