Empathy, gift or common ground

Having a lot of empathy for people is good,
Being able to imagine yourself in their shoes,
But it can also have its downfalls.

I occasionally wonder if I care too much.
Sometimes people close to me wonder how I can care so much about someone I don’t even know,
It’s easy for me because when I see their struggles and their pain I can feel it in my own way.

I’ve been told it’s a gift but I don’t see it that way,
I think to truly understand others you should be able and willing to level with them.

There will always be people that are thankful and people that choose to take advantage but the bad choices others make isn’t going to make me stop my good choices.