Unrecognized Traits Of An Empath

I had an extremely interesting conversation with a fellow empath the other day. We weren't discussing being empaths as such, but it occurred to me during the discussion that some of the experiences we were discussing were the direct result of being highly empathic. I realized some of these things were not on the usual "traits of an empath" lists you can find on the internet, so I thought I would share them with you in the hope that you might be able to recognize some of them in yourself.

Unrecognized Traits Of An Empath:

1. Empaths are more likely to speak truth, even if doing so causes pain in the short term. Empaths abhor pain and will usually avoid causing it. However, when confronted with a direct question an empath will usually tell the truth. They understand that sometimes short term pain is better than the greater long term pain that will occur down the road by maintaining a lie.
2. Empaths are less likely to have confrontations with other people. Because empaths know what others are feeling, they can usually avoid confrontations before they begin by anticipating the need and providing that for them. 
3. Empaths may have many friends and acquaintances, but very few close friends. Most people are naturally drawn to empaths. However, empaths are very choosy when it comes to close friends. While empaths are nice to everybody, they only choose to reveal their inner selves with those who are trustworthy. 
4. Empaths are not into gossip. They know how much gossip can hurt and how often it backfires.
5. Empaths hold themselves to high standards of integrity. They try to do things "right" the first time so that pain will be lessened for themselves and others.
6. Empaths will often shield themselves with a "business-like" approach to life. Empaths like to hide behind society's rules in order to decrease their personal responsibility in causing pain. They know the pain is inevitable, but it can be easier to justify when they have "the rules" to back them up in it. 

Understand this is by no means an exhaustive list of traits. It is meant only to give additional insight into what an empath is. Do you identify with any of the things on this list?

~CSE