Here is some video from Rick Goodfriend who coaches Non Violent Communications skills talking on giving sympathy, advice, and a stories. (My standard reaction, BTW.)
In refrence to:
The Ten Habits of Emotionally Intelligent People
1. Label their feelings, rather than labeling people or situations.
2. Distinguish between thoughts and feelings.
3. Take responsibility for their feelings.
4. Use their feelings to help them make decisions.
5. Show respect for other people’s feelings.
6. Feel energized, not angry.
7. Validate other people’s feelings.
8. Practice getting a positive value from their negative emotions.
9. Don’t advise, command, control, criticize, judge or lecture to others.
10. Avoid people who invalidate them, or don’t respect their feelings.
