I hear what you feel, and I find it from the store of feelings that I carry in myself. I begin to live in unison with you, I feel the same as you, only this is no longer about you, but about me.

My feelings may be louder than yours, and then I can no longer hear you. My feelings can deafen you, or their volume can make yours sound louder.

Empathy is not about you and what's with you, it's about me and what's woken up in response to yours. In sympathy, I have no place for you, it is occupied by me.

But in sympathy, you have the feeling that you are not alone, because you now see me, who is like you.
Many of us need witnesses to our lives. Someone standing nearby, watching us intently. Looking with clear eyes, without the filters of their own feelings and ideas.