Now I'm frustrated! Haven't you read the STA post? It gives sound advice on NOT reacting. That's where a lot of our problems lie, is in not thinking before we REact! We need to STOP! and THINK and NOT REACT. After we've given some thought to something that upset us, more than likely we'll realize that we misunderstood what was said and feelings won't get hurt. The "ACT" part is to NOT act unless you need to say something back or do something. The difference lies in the fact that you have thought things out and your response will be appropriate.

It's great to be sensitive to others feelings, moods, pain, etc, but NOT to the point that we let it bring our own mood down. We can be sensitive without taking on other's feelings or letting them trigger feelings in us.

Something else we need to know is the difference between "sympathy" and "empathy."

When we SYMPATHIZE with someone, we feel what they feel. If they are in an angry mood, we get angry; if they are depressed, we get depressed.

When we EMPATHIZE with someone, we can relate to their feelings, their anger, their depression BUT WE DON'T JUMP INTO THE HOLE WITH THEM!

As for LMo and I being frustrated, (and maybe others, too) yes we are! We have a right to our own feelings and to express them, especially when we try so hard to help and we just go ignored. We haven't expressed our feelings in a hurtful way. That's because we STOPPED, THOUGHT and then ACTED. I just can't stress that enough.