How To Enslave an Empath

Step One- To Catch a Nightingale

They really are beautiful creatures. They are very vocal. They are extremely rare, but to possess one is music to the ears. This is also true of literal nightingales, based on the poetry they have inspired. However, this is not a story about literal nightingales. This book is about how to Enslave an Empath. Although we may notice many similarities between this almost mythical bird, and the human equivalent, Empaths are far more useful.

A nightingale may volunteer it's location, but an Empath will volunteer their very services. Many today would describe themselves as Empaths, and yet, many of those same individuals can tell you of an injustice they incurred while helping others. They can tell you with specific details how someone exploited their kindness. They can tell you all the reasons why they are a victim.

When you hear such a tragic story, you no doubt feel moved to ease their suffering by becoming a better friend than their former acquaintance. However, after a while you discover that you will never be the kind of friend they need.

You may feel burned out. How did this happen? You were just trying to help, but now you may be the next person on their long list of people who have wronged them. It turns out you were the nightingale of their story.

You can walk away from this experience and tell others about your confusing experience. You could draw others into your tail of victimization, thus repeating the pattern, or you could take a step back and ask: What just happened?

Ah, where's the fun in that? Let's play the victim! After all, Empath's get hungry too. The more people you share your painful experience with, the more sympathy you will get from others. It tastes good. Doesn't it? Then you can get them to come over and do things for you to make you feel better. Yum, yum.

What is this? Let's replace the word victim with patient, and the word Empath with caretaker or nurse. Now, let's name this nurse Florence. Florence must also have a last name. How about Nightingale?

Ironically, it seems that the famous Florence Nightingale never actually became emotionally involved with any of her patients, but her name somehow got linked to a syndrome where the patient, caregiver, or both become emotionally vulnerable with each other.

Today, this danger is described in medical fields as transference. The patient feels vulnerable and may confuse the caretaker's obligation for love. Victims of narcissistic abuse often make this same mistake, as often do their captors.

Do you see how emotional vulnerability can lead to this odd symbiotic relationship? It's not about good or bad. It's much more basic. Some people like to be cared for, while others get joy from caring for others. This situation contains the perfect ingredients for Emotionally Vulnerable Exploitation. And when emotions are involved, ethics tend to go out the window. The patient in this case may become too demanding, and the caregiver may be losing their patience, especially if their services are unpaid. After all, a worker is worthy of their wages.

It's time for damage control. Your Empath is hungry, and if you don't want to lose their services you will need to move on to step two. Everyone wants acknowledgment, but appetizers won't do. It's time to feed their ego. On the next page we will learn how to give them the praise they so richly crave. Remember, flattery will get you everywhere.