Empathy is significant for the elimination of judgment. It lets people off the hook. It gives second chances. It changes outcomes. It builds bridges. It eliminates gossip.
The temporary 'high', or brief relief that we experience from the wine, cigarette or doughnut is really just a feeling of 'less bad', which is very different from actually 'feeling good'. Buddhists call this confusing suffering for happiness.
I collect these moments. As if they are shiny gold pieces and the brightest ruby and shimmering emerald stones. Treasures often found after digging through the mud.