Welcome to October! My favourite month of the year – there is a chill in the air, the leaves are beautiful and my mood becomes infinitely better than it is at any other time of the year.

This month has started with some strange feelings for me though. I have tried very hard over the past year or so to become more empathetic with people. It has not been easy and has caused many doubts in my mind if I can do that or be more sympathetic. I really like to believe that I am empathetic to all. But sometimes, it’s just too hard. It’s easier to be sympathetic than empathetic at times.

So, at the start of this new month and new season, I am going to be more empathetic. I would hope that others would be the same way as well. Like I said recently, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is what I wish for all of us.

“Sympathy is a shared feeling, usually of sorrow, pity or compassion for another person. … Empathy is stronger than sympathy. It is the ability to put yourself in the place of another and understand someone else’s feelings by identifying with them.”