About the highly sensitive trait

And why it's important

SENSITIVE

I write this newsletter as an HSP (highly sensitive person), but cover topics that any of us can relate to. This is my strategy to be a part of a movement helping people become more comfortable with sensitive, emotionally aware people like HSPs, and to embrace their own more-sensitive side.

Scientific research into the HSP trait reveals it to be present in 25% of the human population and also found in more than 100 other species like bonobos and blowfish. For a trait to last through evolution in many species means it’s important to that species, and has implications for survival. In other words:

THE WORLD NEEDS HIGHLY SENSITIVE PEOPLE.

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In the next section, I write about two characteristics of HSPs that have helped me find inner peace - or, to be more accurate - are a main coontributor to why I’ve sought and nurtured inner peace.

America under the trump regime is a chaotic, often hateful, divisive place. No HSP can thrive under these conditions. Indeed, we struggle more than most Americans, the stress of Republican kow-towing to trump (as in the One, Big, Ugly Bill now in the Senate) causing emotional overwhlem, spirit-deep sorrow and despair, as well as physical symptoms of stress. All of this has a profound impact on our sense of well-being.

I can’t help but posit something:

One of the reasons we’re in this democracy-destroying time, one of the reasons ICE runs rampant and Congress wants to gut the social safety net, one of the reasons trump and his minions can lie and cheat and ignore the Constitution, is that we as a nation have denied, been embarrassed by, and derided our emotions and compassion.

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WELL

I possess the HSP qualities of insightful observation and deep reflection. My sensitivities don’t allow me to ignore or pretend away what’s happening in America.

But I can’t allow these qualities full rein unless I use them in the context of an abiding inner peace. Not to say I’m always peaceful. I have a temper. I’m sometimes overwhelmed by the sorrow I feel when, for example, SCOTUS allows trump to continue to send immigrants to third-party countries.

Meditation and daily mindfulness are necessary aspects of my life. I wouldn’t survive intact this brutality without them.

Above, I mention that I believe the world needs and has a lot to learn from HSPs.

Perhaps this is one of those lessons: the cultivation of awareness, meditation, and inner peace as the place from which to move out into the world in compassion.

Surely, it’s a better strategy than denying one’s own emotions, and ridiculing the emotions and feelings of others.

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LOOKING AHEAD

I’m finishing a book now - a researched memoir about being a highly sensitive person. As a result, the significance of being an HSP occupies much of my writing and reflection during this time of our national nightmare.

Two of the chapters have been published in literary magazines:

SENSITIVITY - a Finalist in Sostice Literary Magazine’s Summer Contest, 2020

PAIN IS - recently published online by Black Horse Review.

Sensitivity speaks directly to being highly sensitive; Pain Is serves more as an example of how being highly sensitive influences me.

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If you’re highly sensitive, I’d love to hear how you are managing and what HSP characteristics and skills you’re using these days.

Do you suspect you may be an HSP? Take a quiz HERE.

If you don’t identify as highly sensitive, I’d love to hear what you feel and think about what I’ve written here.

Either way, thank you for caring enough to be here.

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