Sympathy

When I hear about someone who is struggling, whether with a death or a tragedy, I usually have a large amount of empathy. After so many years of living, I know what it feels like when the usual types of things happen. However, I have also been very lucky in my life and have so far managed to avoid certain catastrophes like a home destroyed by fire, tsunami, hurricane or flood. I have sympathy for those who survive, but empathy is lost when it is something I never experienced.

That being said, I have a vivid imagination and as they report such disasters in the news, my brain tries to experience it. I create characters to experience those tragedies, with back stories and plot lines about survival. Is it any wonder I avoid watching and listening to the news? When I have to, I read it, try to create distance from the event and avoid plotting. How do others avoid getting caught up in the drama of a disaster?