Empathy transcends circumstances; it's about understanding the impact of pain, not its origin. An existential crisis for a teenager weighs as heavily as a 50-year-old's. It's not about comparing struggles - a year of war versus two decades of abuse - all hardships can shatter a person.

Our common ground isn't in what we suffer but that we suffer. Whether it's battling addiction, homelessness, or any other challenge, it all boils down to the universal experience of struggling. Embrace your own battles and acknowledge others'. In embracing the struggle, we find our shared humanity. Let's actively practice empathy, extending a helping hand to those in need. Together, we cultivate compassion in a world that understands pain knows no hierarchy.