Like inkblot said... it is human compassion. Plus we have the unique perspective of having been there, so we understand what it is like, and know how much an understanding ear can help...

Hey this gives me a chance to use my favorite quote again!

From "The West Wing":

A man is walking down the street, and falls into a hole.

The hole is so deep, and the walls so slick, that he can't get out.

He sees a doctor walking down the street, and calls out to him. "Hey doc, I've fallen in this hole- can you help me out?" The doctor writes him a prescription, throws it in the hole, and keeps walking.

Then the man sees a priest walking down the street, and calls out, "Hey father, I've fallen in this hole, can you help me out?" The priest writes down a prayer on a piece of paper, throws it in the hole, and keeps walking.

Then the man sees one of his good friends. He calls out, "Hey friend, I've fallen in this hole, can you help me out?" His friend comes over, and jumps in the hole with him.

The man says, "What are you, crazy? Now we're both in the hole!"

His friend says, "Yes, but I've been here before, and I know the way out."


------------------------------------
--http://www.idexter.com