Empathy versus Compassion

I’ve always been fascinated by the word empathy; it’s often spoken about in hushed or sympathetic terms; It’s because I’m an empath that I feel into everybody’s pain. But should we be doing this? Do we have an agenda such as need to be needed?  Are we in fact invading another person's sacred space & possibly interfering with their karma?  

Empaths often have poor emotional boundaries and, if not careful, can become sponges for the emotions of others causing themselves emotional and physical distress.

Comassion is the ability to 'sit with another's pain, without taking it on.' To fully love without allowing our own personality to be involved in the outcome.