When it comes to the survival of your relationship, no matter how much love there is between you and your partner, there’s no guarantee that you both will be able to make your love last—even if you think you’re "soulmates." In fact, without empathy, the love in your relationship will end up like "love" in tennis—one big zero.
If you are questioning whether or not to throw in the relationship towel and call things quits, I am asking you to carefully pay attention to what I am about to share.
The way an individual interprets and responds during conflict plays a huge role in the satisfaction and success of their relationship.
One of the best ways to respond internally when facing conflict with your partner is to set your own ego aside and try to see things from their perspective. This means leading with empathy, which is the gift that keeps on giving in loving relationships.
To fall back in love, you and your partner need to learn (or relearn), to truly know and understand each other. When we show empathy to our partners we are saying “I understand you."
Empathy is not a sacrifice or something that drains or depletes us or our partners.
Sympathy can be draining, but not empathy.
Sympathy leads us to feel we have to do something. Empathy empowers us with a sense of togetherness
Developing empathy for your partner means really understanding what life has been and is like for him or her. Empathy is not a mystical power. It is not magic, intuition, or just the "warm fuzzies." And empathy is not mind reading . But, it may just be the next best thing to mind reading in relationships.
We've all been on the receiving end of empathy. It feels good. Think of the teachers and bosses you worked hardest for. Chances are, you felt that they connected with you and understood you.
We feel motivated when we feel understood.
Our partners feel motivated when they perceive that they are understood, as well. Empathy, the ability to powerfully understand another person, is invaluable in every human relationship.
Being able to put yourself in your partner's shoes, will more likely help him or her see your point of view much more than arguing your point.
Maybe you are saying to yourself, "Why do I have to be empathetic when they are so dense and clueless?" Or you may be thinking, "He needs to be the one to show me empathy first!"
It is an individual decision among each couple as to what works and does not work for healing a broken relationship.
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