Something that’s struck me, especially as an empath, is the difference between concern versus care. We can care for someone without having concern, and we can have concern without true care.
Grab your heart and close your eyes. Which feels more expansive: care, or concern?
There’s a difference between care versus concern. Concern comes from a low-vibrational energy. It comes from fear; it comes from the belief that “something’s wrong with you/me/them.” Whereas in care comes from thoughtfulness. The former says, “you need to change, because this is unacceptable. You need fixing.” whereas the latter says, “I really love you just the way you are.”
The thing is, if you want to be there for someone, you need to show care instead of concern. In order for them to heal whatever it is they’re going through, they need themselves, and their support group (aka you) to embrace and love them JUST AS THEY ARE. However imperfect, messy, or “wrong” it may seem. By showing unconditional love for all aspects of being human, that’s how you heal the pain and darkness.
Isn’t that what unconditional love is? Loving unconditionally. Not only when it’s convenient, or only when you feel it’s appropriate/has your approval. It’s loving what is, in all aspects.
I know an aspect of myself that I find myself judging, and NOT unconditionally loving, is my past with addiction. It’s a humbling journey, but I can say that doing so with love instead of pushing these feelings away has actually helped my sobriety/recovery journey, and made it a lot more graceful as well.
Do you show up with concern, or care for yourself? How about friends and family?
