"I have a different feeling about empathy -- I believe it's a renewable resource that is always within our power to rekindle."

Hmm, yeah interesting! I read your piece, and think maybe you're conflating empathy with compassion, whereas I'm conflating it with sympathy. I'm not sure if one or both or neither of us is right to do that.😄

But either way, I agree with you that empathy can be rekindled. It's just that there are times where it will be at a low ebb, let's say. Especially towards people who we feel are out to get us. It's those times when holding to our principles can keep us on the right path.