Aloha Tierney, wow! Yes. Trauma ripples all sorts of feelings - so true!

Empathy - a skill that requires ever-mindfulness for me. When I become aware of how my empathy enables a person to continue to hurt themselves, I face a difficult decision.

Example, when I retired over 250 pounds, I learned how folks who - knew me when - used empathy - each time they jokingly said, "Soul, you look too thin! Have another serving."

The steps I suggested to explore boundary setting between being an empathic, unconditionally loving soul and a soul who fears conflict? Loneliness? Being tossed out of their home? (The reasons I used to continue to enable a died-hard pessimist who was clear they never - ever - ever - ever - ever - want to change). My suggestions are just that. Suggestions.

For those who sense my suggestions lack empathy - good to know. Your intuition is your intuition. Trust it.

I live life knowing that if I venture into judging anyone for any reason - I must accept a tsunami of judgment in return. Since I know there's always more to know - always - I retired my internal Judge - joyfully.

Thanks for the kind note. Your desire to draw attention to empathy - outstanding.