Cupcakes with Coffee - Empathy: The Superpower We Forget We Have

“I think empathy is really important, and I think only when our clever brain and our human heart work together in harmony can we achieve our full potential.” - Jane Goodall, Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

Assuming you, the reader, are not a narcissist, let's talk about empathy (but as a narcissist, you don't know the difference between the two... anyway that's a topic for another day). By way of definition, an empath is an individual who is highly attuned to the emotions of others, possessing the ability to understand and share the feelings of those around them. Empaths contribute to a better world by leveraging their unique ability to deeply connect with, understand, and care for others, inspiring empathy and positive change in the process.

What type of empath might you be?

I have seen as many as a dozen types of empath designations and there are a lot of tests out there to find out which one you may be, however, I am only going to reference the top three 'typical' empath types:

Emotional Empaths

These individuals can easily pick up on the emotions of those around them, sometimes even mimicking or absorbing those emotions. They are easily influenced by the moods of others and may experience their own emotional fluctuations as a result.

Physical Empaths

These empaths are deeply attuned to the physical well-being of others. They may experience physical symptoms or sensations that mirror those of others, even if they are not their own. This can lead to feeling tired when watching someone exert themselves or feeling sick when someone else is sick.

Intuitive Empaths 

Also known as claircognizant empaths, these individuals have a strong sense of intuition and may be able to sense underlying situations or emotions in others without explicit communication. Some believe they may have psychic abilities.

But shout out to plant empaths, dream empaths, earth empaths and animal empaths.

Let's face it. We live in a world where people are quick to talk but slow to listen. Where judgment is instant and compassion is optional. Everyone has an opinion, but very few have the guts to actually sit with someone else’s pain without flinching.

Here’s the brutal truth: empathy is hard. It costs something. It asks you to step outside your bubble of comfort and actually feel—not just nod along, not just say, “That sucks,” but to really let someone’s struggle register inside of you. And that’s messy. It’s inconvenient. It takes time we don’t think we have. But without it? We disconnect. We miss the point of being human.

People who are drowning don’t always need saving. Sometimes they just need someone to climb down into the water and say, “I’m here. I may not fully understand, but I will try.” That’s empathy. It’s rare because it requires vulnerability, and vulnerability terrifies us. It means admitting we don’t have all the answers, that we can’t tie everything up with a neat bow. It means being brave enough to feel pain that isn’t ours.

Empathy is Not Weakness 

Empathy is the strongest thing we can offer each other. It’s the crack in the armor where the light gets through. It’s what reminds us we’re not alone—even when the world feels like it’s turned its back. And let me say this: if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of real empathy, you know it changes you. It anchors you. It keeps you breathing on the days you don’t want to. We need more of that. Not tomorrow, not someday—right now. Because we’re all fighting battles no one else can see. And the least we can do is show up for each other like it actually matters.

Now let me be clear. Empathy does NOT excuse cruelty, but it explains why broken people break others. It helps us navigate a world where everyone is bleeding in silence. It doesn’t mean you tolerate abuse, but it does mean you see the human behind the behavior—even when they can’t see it themselves.

We don’t need more walls, more division, more ways to separate ourselves from each other. We need more bridges. More willingness to sit in someone else’s storm, not to fix it, but to simply say, I see you. I feel you. You’re not alone. Because at the end of the day, empathy isn’t just about being kind. It’s about being human. And if we can’t hold space for each other’s humanity, then what’s the point of all this?

Do it anyway.

Love, Kate

Now, onto cupcakes.

Cupcakes with Coffee Style:

Cupcakes are tiny acts of joy—soft, sweet reminders that life doesn’t have to be big or perfect to be worth celebrating. They’re the reward after a hard day (mid-day, if necessary), the comfort during a messy one, and pure bliss in edible form. Paired with a good cup of coffee, they’re not just dessert—they’re a moment of pause, a little cheer, and sometimes, the reason you keep going.

Coffee Love: The act of brewing and sharing coffee.

There’s something tender about the simple act of brewing coffee for someone you love—the quiet clink of the spoon, the warm steam rising, the comforting aroma filling the room. It’s more than just caffeine in a cup; it’s a ritual of care, a moment carved out of the day to say, I thought of you. Sharing that first sip together turns an ordinary drink into a small celebration of connection. Be with someone who knows your coffee order.

Click here for a good latte art tutorial.

A little tidbit:

You probably start your day with coffee. After all, 63 percent of Americans have a daily cup, according to the National Coffee Association. And for the most part, that’s just fine. It might even be good for you, as research links regular coffee drinking to lower risk of HEART disease, diabetes, and some cancers. (source: silversneakers.com)

ENJOY!

Empathy isn’t some soft, optional trait reserved for poets and dreamers. It’s survival. It’s the thin thread that keeps humanity from unraveling completely. Too often, people mistake empathy for weakness—as if understanding someone’s pain makes you fragile. But the truth is, empathy takes strength. Real strength. It requires you to look beyond your own comfort and feel something that doesn’t belong to you. That’s not weakness—that’s courage.