There's No Shame in Being Sensitive

 When I was four or five years old, I remember going to a church activity with my family. Whatever activity it was, my sister and I were too young to participate and were taken off to the nursery room to watch a movie. It had to be multiple movies, because we were out the whole time, and the specific movie I remember was a short by Walt Disney of a fairy tale called The Ugly Duckling. I couldn't handle watching the little duckling (a.k.a. gosling) being abandoned by his family. I wasn't the type to outright cry, but I know that my eyes got a little watery. My sister teased me afterward for crying, which I naturally argued with, because I didn't actually have tears rolling down my cheeks, but she was right. Even though I managed to fight back the tears, that movie still affected my emotions significantly.

Unfortunately, this circumstance is common. There are many ideas that flow through the society out there concerning people who are highly sensitive, and just like the show, I will address a few of them circling around and make a declaration on whether that specific idea is fact or fiction according to my personal reality.

• Sensitive people are weak: Fiction. I was the one that was told I was too nice. They thought I needed to stand up for myself and get some thick skin. Even one of my siblings (who was a tease) used to make fun of me, calling me a wimp. I didn't like those things being said to me. There was always a part of me that told me not to believe what they were saying to me, that there was a strength inside they can't see. When most people talk about strength, their talking about external strength, something that is easily visible, but when it comes to sensitivity, it's a whole other side to the world that most people overlook. It's internal and usually invisible. That doesn't make it any less valuable or strong. Sensitivity's power lies within the ability to connect to people and be empathetic. It's being patient and understanding. People always wonder why I put up with so much, and this is the reason: I make an effort to understand where the other person is coming from. It can be emotionally taxing for sure; however, some people need desperately to be understood.
• They love to reflect: Fact. It may be more than enjoyment for some though. It's more like a need. Reflection helps to sort out the why behind the feelings that were experienced and helps to gain understanding about why things happened the way they did. It's a sort of education technique on becoming self-aware, and helps distribute the emotions into a healthy spectrum of enlightenment and insight.
• They take things personally: Fact. I've been trying to wrack my brain on how to explain this, because it sounds like I get mad and offended at everything, which is far from the case. I'm actually able to step back and see things at multiple angles, which helps me, but even this doesn't stop me from the initial sting. The truth is that everything I take in has some element of emotional investment, and that turns things personal. 
• It's obvious who is sensitive: False. First impressions of me often are that I'm super shy. I tend to meet people with a certain amount of reserve. People don't know how much things affect me, because I'm not expressive. The things I think and feel are not entirely obvious to anyone unless I'm comfortable enough to divulge some information.
• They notice things others miss: Fact. Story time! I have two stories to provide for examples. The first one seemed like a common every day thing. I was walking through a hallway with a coworker when our administrator passed us in the hallway. No words were exchanged, but I mentioned to her that we had the same colors on and were matching. I told her that our administrator noticed that, too, and she asked me how I knew. I explained that it was the way she looked at us. In the second story, I was relaxing with some siblings in our living room talking. I looked at my sister and somehow picked up that she was thinking about the winter queen in the Narnia movie (I think I had a hairpiece in my hair that made her think of the crown), so I blurted out of nowhere that she wanted to watch the movie. She replied, "How did you know I was thinking of that?" Secrets of the trade, sis.

I'd go on, but it's been taking me all week mulling over these points, writing and rewriting thoughts, and trying to figure out what fit into the context here that it would take me forever to get this out there, so I'll leave it with these few points. They are the most popular of the long list, and it's enough to show the valuable side of being a sensitive person. The world looks down on it, and admires toughness over gentleness, but what the world seems to ignore is that it needs that gentleness desperately. People need that emotional support and need to be understood. They need a loving hand to help them see their worth and that life's worth living. Toughness has it's place, but so does sensitivity. There's no shame in experiencing deep emotions, for through them you have a significant impact on the dearest people in your life. Everyone needs at least one understanding and empathetic friend. You are valuable. Don't underestimate yourself.

Approaching sunset in nearby community.