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Treasuring being a HSP in a harsh world - Bring your best self to light - November 2009. Sent Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Treasuring being a HSP (highly sensitive person) in a harsh world.
Hi ,
I hope you are well. Are you a HSP? According to Elaine Aron, about 20% of the population share this trait? Here are some of the characteristics she has identified:

 
I seem to be aware of subtleties in my environment.
Other people's moods affect me.
I tend to be very sensitive to pain.
I find myself needing to withdraw during busy days,into bed or into a darkened room or any place where I can have some privacy and relief from stimulation.
I am particularly sensitive to the effects of caffeine.
I am easily overwhelmed by things like bright lights, strong smells,coarse fabrics,or sirens close by.
I have a rich,complex inner life.
I am made uncomfortable by loud noises.
I am deeply moved by the arts or music.
My nervous system sometimes feels so frazzled that I just have to go off by myself.
I am conscientious.  
If any of this resonates with you, you can do a test at her website.
Other traits include seeming to be more easily hurt than other people (it can be difficult for HSP's to just "shake off" percieved hurts and insults), weeping easily (which can be embarrassing) and noticing beauty a lot more than other people.
I've also been attending an online class with Cheryl Richardson called "The Art of Extreme Self-Care". One of her modules is called "You are so sensitive" in which she talks about the ways to protect one's sensitivity in a way that makes it a gift rather than the burden it can so often be felt to be. I know that I have only recently started honouring my own sensitivity and seeing that it's what makes me good at what I do...
For so long, I hated that I cried so easily, that I was so affected by the energy of others, that I bruised so easily - emotionally and physically -, that I preferred a deep conversation with one person to meaningless chit chat with 10 (even if it was supposed to be good for networking!).
One of the amazing things about the Internet is that HSP's no longer need to feel isolated and odd and "high-maintenance". There are now loads of websites (just google for "highly sensitive person") and even Facebook groups.
One website I do recommend is Sarah Dolliver's Inner Vantage which honours and celebrates  the inner-directed person.
 

Take Action!

If you recognise yourself as being a HSP in the descriptions above..begin to think about the ways in which your HSP might be an advantage rather than a burden...here are some ideas to get you started.
  • You are deeply sensitive to beauty which means that you derive immense pleasure from Nature and art.
  • Your intuition allows you to understand people in a profound way
  • Your integrity inspires the integrity of others.
  • Your conscientiousness makes you a terrific employee. People know they can trust you.
  • Your sensitivity makes you kind. You have suffered and wish to ensure that others are not hurt. 
So how has your sensitivity benefited YOU? I would love to hear from you...just hit reply to this email and let me know..
How can you protect your sensitivity?
  • Mute the TV when the adverts are on
  • Let the people around you know that for you solitude and time in Nature is a way to recharge your batteries (and makes you less liable to being cranky :-))
  • Avoid violent movies.
  • Begin to tune into your body and use your body as a compass as a way to begin to recognise what is good for you...and what is not.
  • Develop a regular spiritual practice - this is a powerful way for HSP's to connect with themselves and to develop the gift of self-acceptance.
  • Locate a like-minded community and reap the benefits of being with other HSP's and just the ease that comes with that...
I look forward to hearing from you and letting me know what ways you have found to honour your sensitivity...
 
Anne

 
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