I used to think it was a compliment when someone was described as sensitive.
It meant they were in tune with the world. Possibly delicate. Sincere. Open. Vulnerable.
These days I question that.
Sometimes sensitive feels less like a good thing and more like a burden.
Like walking through life carrying our own burdens and then all the weight of others on our backs.
I like when I am able to cry at something moving.
But I dislike the sheer number of times I find myself driving down the road with my cheeks dripping with tears.
I like that I am able to appreciate the simple moments in life.
But I dislike that I am so overcome at times with emotion that it’s hard to just be in the moment.
I like that I am able to understand people’s feelings and perspectives.
But I dislike that an off word or harsh tone can tear me down and leave me panicked and sad.
I think it’s a double edged sword. A blessing that can become a burden if it’s not kept in check.
But possibly those burdens are merely the price we pay for the benefit of being able to stay in the moment and feel and experience deeply. An entrance fee of sorts into a world of heightened awareness and deeper understanding.
What do you think? Do you consider yourself sensitive? Is it a good thing or a handicap? I would love to hear.