Article: Although these words sound similar and their meanings are often confused, they are quite different. Sympathy means that you feel sorry for someone or pity them. Empathy means that you have put yourself into the other person's situation and considered how they must feel. For example, you might feel sympathy for a homeless person on the street because their situation seems unpleasant. However, if you feel empathy for this person, you would have imagined what it is like to sleep on the hard concrete, wear the same clothes each day, beg people for money to buy food, and worry about your safety day after day. If you meet or hear about someone who has experienced a hardship, imagine how you would feel in that person's situation as a way to build empathy for them and gain a new perspective. How might you feel if you had gone through a similar experience? Why might you feel that way? What might you do to cope with the experience? For example, if the person describes what it was like to be discriminated against as an African American living in the South during the 1960s, you might imagine that they felt anger, frustration, sadness, helplessness, and hopelessness about being treated poorly due to the color of their skin. Thinking about how you would want someone to talk to you or help you if you were in their situation may also help you to develop empathy and understand other people's perspectives better. Imagine what someone could say or do to help you feel better if you were in that situation, then act accordingly. This may be as simple as acknowledging someone's pain and offering to help in any way you can. For example, if someone has just experienced the death of their family pet, then they might appreciate it if you said, "I'm so sorry for your loss. Is there anything I can do to help?" Considering the worst-case scenario may also help you to see someone else's perspective. Think about what someone could say or do to really hurt you. Then, use this experience to help you understand the hurt feelings that someone else has experienced. This will help you to build empathy and expand your perspective. For example, if someone called you an insulting name, how might you feel? What would your reaction be? Use these feelings to help you understand how someone who is different from you might feel and react if they were treated poorly.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Learn the difference between empathy and sympathy. Think about how you would feel in another person's situation. Aim to treat others how you would like to be treated. Imagine that someone said or did something mean-spirited to you.

VOCs are chemicals that easily escape into the atmosphere through common use around the house. Check the front label of household products to determine if they contain VOCs. Examples of common products include nail care products (acetone, ethyl alcohol), paint strippers or adhesive removers (methylene chloride), and aerosol spray products (butane). Check the National Institute of Health's Household Products Database for more information about specific products and their ingredients. Shop for "green" products that don't contain VOCs. If you must use VOC products, buy in small quantities that can be used quickly instead of stored. If you must store the product, do so in a tightly sealed, original container, in a well-ventilated area. Gasoline emissions are one of the major causes of smog--whether from vehicles or lawn equipment. Try eco-friendly lawn mowers, hedgers, trimmers, or any other lawn equipment that can be powered electrically. You can also avoid mowing altogether by changing the material in your yard. Opt for artificial grass, succulents, hard landscapes, or rock gardens to do away with mowing forever. This will also save you time and money spent on maintenance and watering. There are also "real grass alternatives" that look and act like traditional grass turf, but require less maintenance. When you buy products that are made locally, it cuts down on the cost of transport which reduces emissions. Local farmers' markets and grocery stores can help you determine where items were produced. There are many sites online that link local buyers and sellers such as Direct Local Food, GrowBuyEat, and AgLocal. Besides farmers' markets, try local farmers' stands, farms, and wineries. There are even many restaurants that are joining the movement towards supporting locally grown items. Make a community garden. Grow vegetables and fruit for your community and local distribution. The less energy you consume at home, the less pollutants that are released into the atmosphere. There are many ways to decrease energy consumption including through lighting, heating and cooling, and appliance use. Replace your old incandescent light bulbs with energy saving halogen incandescents, CFLs, and LEDs which can be found at your local hardware store. For heating and cooling try energy-saving thermostats that automatically reset temperatures while you're away from home. Shop for energy-efficient appliances that use less energy such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, and dishwashers.
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One-sentence summary --
Avoid high VOC products. Avoid gas-powered yard equipment. Buy local. Be energy efficient in your home.