[vacri]

> Empathy is hugely important. [story of own problems]

It's not 'empathy' if you don't notice it until it affects you personally, or you're only doing something because it might affect you in the future.

[icebraining]

It's not 'empathy' if you don't notice it until it affects you personally

Being affected personally at one time can (and, I assume, often does) help one develop empathy, though.