I Never Fully And Truly Understand Someone Else’s Feelings

“I understand how you’re feeling.” “I understand what he or she is going through.”

How many times do people say “I understand” when someone is expressing their feelings? Probably many times. Honestly, if people take a second thought, we never fully and truly understand someone else’s feelings.

Everyone experiences events, activities, trauma, happiness, success, and failures differently. Some are strong and some are weak. Some recover faster and some recover slower. Some need help and some handle on their own. Everyone handles the good life and bad life differently.

When people tell me about a divorce, crime, money problems, drugs, war, anything that affects their lives, I understand their feelings, experiences, and pain somewhat. I must experience what they experience to better understand, and even if I have similar experiences, I know I never fully and truly understand. I respond positively such as “Man, you’re lucky” or “Hope for a speedy recovery” or “Everything is going to be O.K.” I never say “I understand what you’re feeling” because I never fully and truly understand his or her feelings.

The next time someone is sharing something personal, try to say a positive statement instead of saying “I understand . . . .” I can watch movies, watch the news, read the newspaper, read books on any personal event or instance to better understand a personal story; however, I never fully and truly understand someone else’s feelings.