Jane, I found your post when I was struggling with a similar thing. Matt, your response hit me like a ton of bricks. All of these responses did actually.
I know this is a very old post but I want to thank all of you for giving me clarity when it comes to empathy, compassion, and pity. I have been weakened by my own empathy and this insight is allowing me to now move to responding to pain and cruelty from a place of strength.
It will take time for me and meditation. Jane, I hope your journey has made you stronger.
Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. 