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The Highly Sensitive Person
* Do such things as bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or sirens nearby easily overwhelm you?
* Do you get rattled when you have a lot to do in a short amount of time?
* Do you make a point of avoiding violent movies and TV shows?
* Do you need to withdraw during busy days, into bed or a darkened room or some other place where you can have privacy and relief from the situation?
* Do you make it a high priority to arrange your life to avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations?
* Do you notice or enjoy delicate or fine scents, tastes, sounds, or works of art?
* Do you have a rich and complex inner life?
* When you were a child, did your parents or teachers see you as sensitive or shy?
When a friend recommended the book, "The Highly Sensitive Person" by Elaine Aron, I was relieved to see all the attributes of my own sensitivities listed in a book. I took the opportunity to review my childhood and could identify that I was always a really sensitive child. I had digestive issues that kept me in intense discomfort most of my life. I now know, because I was so sensitive that my issues were a result of extreme anxiety. My body and mind were unable to relax; therefore my body was in a perpetual state of tension.
As I grew up and explored my spirituality, I realized I was a highly sensitive being. Sensitivity was not valued in my family of origin; they preferred to always be on the go. They didn't see a reason to slow down and be still so it was not taught to me. As I grew up I didn't possess the necessary skills to take care of my sensitivities. I discovered my issues got better to the point of being non-existent with some helpful remedies. A few relaxations techniques I discovered that helped alleviate my symptoms were daily walks, meditation, modifications in my diet, yoga, playing relaxation music, crystal, energy and angelic healing techniques, and acupuncture to name only a few.
Being a highly sensitive person indicates that our nervous systems are more fragile than the average person. Too much stimuli overwhelms us. I can see so many of the same characteristics in the Indigo and Crystal children. I can totally relate to what they are feeling and going through. I feel that as we advance spiritually and resolve our emotional and mental issues and de-clutter our physical environment, we become more and more sensitive to our surroundings because we are less scattered and are awakening to our divinity. We are deeply impacted by mass consciousness and environmental influences but might not realize it because of living life unconsciously. As a result of being gifted with heightened awareness, consciousness and intuition in our lives, we are able to notice how these things feel and are dramatically affecting us.
With conscious awareness we empower ourselves to take the steps to honor our being-ness with tender love and care and do things that make being a highly sensitive person a joyful, peaceful experience rather than feeling alienated, frustrated and anxiety ridden. A few small modifications in your environment and lifestyle can totally improve a highly sensitive beings experience. Here are a few suggestions that will really assist in calming your fragile nervous system. If you are planning one big thing for the day make sure before or after you have time to yourself. Create sacred quiet time in your home without the TV or radio on. Take time to meditate, sit quietly or take a walk around the block, by doing this you are giving your body and mind an opportunity to shut down and disconnect from the stimuli. As soon as I begin to disconnect, I breathe a huge sigh of relief as I can feel my body begin to relax and unwind.
When you have a feeling of anxiety, racing thoughts, or tension in your body from too much stimuli breathe through it and make an effort to calm and relax your body. Make time to be alone without talking or communicating with anyone else. You can always return phone calls and e-mails later. It is such a necessary practice to take the opportunity to listen to your own thoughts, clear your mind, and just connect with your heart. It is the only true and authentic way to connect with Source and be aligned with the Divine flow.
Using spiritual hygiene techniques to clear the energy you pick up from others is a necessary daily practice. Highly Sensitive people are sponges, often absorbing the negative energy, pain and suffering they pick up from others. Many times highly sensitive’s feel it is their responsibility to relieve the burden of others and will take it on as their own, thinking they are helping someone else. Whether we do this knowingly or unconsciously, it is neither our responsibility, nor our place to entangle ourselves in other people's lives. We are all on our own path and by interfering, it harms us and prevents someone else from experiencing what he or she needs to go through and learn from.
Using water as a cleanser is one method through a sea salt bath, a purifying shower or a dip in the ocean. There are many methods for spiritual hygiene, such as the use of saging yourself and your home, wearing or keeping crystals nearby, (citrine, clear or smoky quartz), calling on the angels to clear and balance your energy centers, connecting with the Earth energy to help you ground, using the breath to release the build up of blocked or stuck energy, are all effective practices and techniques of spiritual hygiene.
As highly sensitive beings, it so imperative to be kind and treat ourselves with all the love, and tenderness we shower onto others. The above recommendations are excellent to use and teach our children. The Indigo and Crystal children are learning how to take care of themselves from us. The way we treat ourselves is the example we are setting. We are teaching and role modeling how to be authentic, value and honor ourselves.
Prayer - Sensitivity
Dear God/Goddess,
I come into this moment whole and sovereign. I ask you, Spirit, to please assist me in quieting my thoughts, relaxing my body and come into communion with you.
My pure intent is to simplify my life so that I may be at peace and oneness every moment of every day. I know through being still and quieting my thoughts I will be able to hear your guidance and be in alignment with my life purpose. I nurture and care for my sensitivities. I honor my sacredness and allow myself to accept who I am.
God/Goddess, please show me ways to make my life more peaceful, harmonious and congruent with the highest vision of myself
Please bring me people, places, situations and things that will benefit my sensitive nature and lifestyle. I am open to all good things flowing into my life and heart.
And so it is.
Amen.
Copyright © Notes to Myself by Stefanie Miller of A Magical World- Permission is granted to copy and redistribute this article on the condition that the URL www.amagicalworld.com is included as the resource and that it is distributed freely and on a non-commercial basis. E-mail: stefanie@amagicalworld.com
Published: Oct 12,2008 20:18
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Andy Cowan
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Debbie Milam is a syndicated columnist for United Press International, an occupational therapist, family success consultant, and motivational speaker with more than 20 years experience. Her work on stress management, spirituality, parenting, and special-needs children has been featured in over 300 media outlets including First for Women, The Miami Herald, Elle, Ladies Home Journal, The Hallmark Channel, PBS and WebMD.
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Jack Nargundkar has been repeatedly published in Business Week, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. He is also an author of "The Bush Diaries" published in July 2005.
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