Compassion

"Try being me for a day," is a common cry for help.  This is where compassion can play a role and you can help others with their struggles.  Compassion is not sympathy, it is not feeling sorry for the person.  It is understanding through listening without judgement or criticism.  It is trying to place yourself in their shoes, feel what they are feeling so that you can help them, help themselves.
The first step is to be aware of the other person's difficulties, perceived limitations, or obstacles and try to imagine yourself in their position.  Find something similar in your life that you have experienced and relate that feeling to their situation. Do not verbalize this comparison, send it to your heart and try to just feel what they feel and then just listen.
Throw out thoughts of what you would have done, what they should have done or what you would do now.  This is not about YOU!

   This is about the other person.  Focus on their words, ask questions that will help them understand and feel better.  Take them out of the clouds and down to earth with a form of clarity that they develop.  This may be simply listening while they make sense out of the situation by talking it through, or you may find openings to ask neutral, non-judgmental questions.

Practice compassion as often as you can.  At first you may only get through one step before your thoughts take over and you react from your own perspective.  Practice will allow you to get better at remaining totally focused on the other person and their feelings.
Compassion heals others and will bring you peace.