In researching and preparing for the topic of Authenticity for the weekly #SpiritChat on twitter for July 27th, 2014, I stumbled onto this passage about “highly sensitive people”… I have broken it up into separate sentences, because I have read and re-read each sentence carefully, reflected on it, and am struck by the intensity and authenticity of these statements.
Highly sensitive people are too often perceived as weaklings or damaged goods.
To feel intensely is not a symptom of weakness, it is the trademark of the truly alive and compassionate.
It is not the empath who is broken, it is society that has become dysfunctional and emotionally disabled.
There is no shame in expressing your authentic feelings.
Those who are at times described as being a 'hot mess' or having 'too many issues' are the very fabric of what keeps the dream alive for a more caring, humane world.
Never be ashamed to let your tears shine a light in this world.
― Anthon St. Maarten
We often talk about traits like kindness and empathy in our #SpiritChat conversations - in fact, these two themes recur often in the weekly chat. So, I thought it apt to preserve these thoughts here ~ as reminders to myself, and to anyone else who may want to reflect on them.
The next time I come across someone that I deem to be a “highly sensitive” person, may I have the awareness to not try to “fix” their “affliction”. Instead, let me remember that perhaps they are more evolved than me, in that they feel comfortable enough around me to express their authentic feelings...
May I welcome their display of courage, their compassion, their humanity and their humaneness with a sense of gratitude, and salute them with a true “Namaste".
Do you know a “highly sensitive person”? Do you consider yourself to be one? What is your take or reaction on the statements by Anthon St Maarten? I invite you to take a moment and share in the comments...
