By Jenna Avery, CLC,
Life Coach for Sensitive Souls
If you’re highly sensitive, you may see your sensitivity
as a limitation. As a client said once at the outset of coaching: “I
see my sensitivity as a handicap, not as a gift.” You,
too, may feel like being highly sensitive is a burden. But
what I’ve seen is that when you work with your sensitivity
instead of against it, your life flows easily, peacefully,
and naturally.
My sensitivity is both a challenge and a gift, I believe,
which ultimately makes it neutral. But here’s the clincher:
So many of us have learned to see our sensitivity as a drawback,
we have to focus our attention on what makes it a strength
instead. We have years of negative programming to overcome!
If you’re curious about whether or not you might be
a sensitive, take a look at my article “Are
You Highly Sensitive?"
When we focus on what’s great about being highly sensitive,
a number of key aspects emerge. As you read this article, allow
yourself to consider the gifts that these traits bring into
your life.
1. We are perceptive. Our sensitivity includes a natural inclination
to absorb subtle information from a range of sources, from
our environment and those around us. The details come through
many channels, including: smelling, tasting, touching, seeing,
hearing, intuiting, and sensing energy. Ultimately, we observe
fine details in the physical, intellectual, emotional, and
spiritual realms. This means we have a leg up on most people,
who aren’t able to take in so much information.
2. We are intuitive. Sensitives have a strong ability to connect
with sources of information and discern solutions beyond what
is explicable through the intellect. In other words, sometimes
we “just know.” This means we have powerful skills
that make it possible for us to assist ourselves and others
more efficiently and effectively. I love my intuitive ability
to quickly arrive at answers and discover knowledge that I
can’t access through analysis or reasoning. Our intuition
can bring us great peace of mind if we learn to trust it.
3. We are creative, imaginative, or
creatively attuned. We
have the ability to tie together things that we see into complex
and original concepts. This makes us visionaries or “priestly
advisors,” according to Elaine Aron, author of The Highly
Sensitive Person. Our artistic inclinations, along with our
sensing abilities, allow us to make beautiful spaces and objects.
We can get things “just right.” We also enjoy a
rich experience of life. Like in the “Wizard of Oz,” when
Dorothy comes out of the house in Munchkin Land, everything
is in Technicolor! I’ll gladly take the “lions
and tigers and bears” and the “oh my” to
experience everything else that goes along with it.
4. We are empathic. As sensitives, we empathize with others.
Sometimes we can even experience other people’s emotions
as if they were our own, particularly when we have weak boundaries.
When we tune into other people’s energy and emotional
states, it’s easy for us to surmise what they need and
want. This makes our relationships deeply authentic and caring.
Ultimately, this means we are gifted in our ability to be of
service to others.
5. We are passionate
and intense. Because we are such passionate
people, sensitives experience great beauty, great joy, and
even great sorrow. In short, we experience life deeply. We
are well equipped to go “deep sea diving” with
ourselves and with others. This means that we are the friends
people call in times of need.
6. We are soulful. Sensitives are usually attuned to the
spiritual realm. This means we find it easier to live divinely
guided
lives. When we pay attention to ourselves and our spirituality,
we easily discover our purpose and life plan. This also
means we can graciously usher in the spiritual and sacred
for those
around us.
All of these traits, together, make us important members
of society. Without us, our culture would experience
significantly less art, beauty, tenderness, spirituality,
passion, and
peace.
We bring so much healing to the world with our awareness,
insight, and knowledge. In fact, we make great planners,
strategists,
trouble-shooters, healers, energy workers, visionaries,
environmentalists, coaches, designers, feng shui practitioners,
caregivers,
animal experts, artists, musicians, writers, advisers,
counselors, teachers, intuitives, psychics, sages, and
prophets, etc.
These
are among many others!
Don’t get me wrong. Many of these traits come with challenges,
too. But what I’ve seen is that when we learn the strategies
and skills to deal with those challenges, we put our sensitivity
to work – on our behalf as well as for the benefit of
others. The only thing wrong with being
sensitive is trying to pretend that you’re not.
Copyright 2004-2005, Jennifer Avery, All rights reserved.
Jenna Avery is a highly sensitive coach and intuitive who offers an original coaching program called Embrace Your Essential Self, designed to guide sensitive souls to find a deep sense of inner rightness within themselves so they are inspired to step forward and shine. Jenna is a Certified Life Coach based in Berkeley, California. She can be reached at 510.981.0697. She also offers support for sensitives in business through the Sensitive Professionals Network.You’re invited to take her free online assessment: "Is Your Sensitivity Working For You?" on her website at www.highlysensitivesouls.com.
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