A Blessing For Sensitivity

Paul Dunion

Sensitivity is an awakening of the senses.

You see more, hear more and are able to

be touched more. Your senses are enlivened

by an opening of the heart. Sensitivity is a great

gift, and like all great gifts, you are responsible

to learn how to carry such a gift.

Sensitivity is the capacity to respond to life

in a full way. Sometimes responding to what

is beautiful and loving, as well as responding

to what is toxic and injurious. Sensitivity means

you’re able to relate to life intimately, not

needing to create some contrived comfort.

You may have been told that you’re too

sensitive. Be careful not to turn against

your gift in the face of such accusation.

It only means that someone is either confused

or threatened by your sensitivity. Not

everyone is ready to live intimately.

Sensitivity means you know how to

empty your voice of abrasiveness. You

can bring a delicacy to your touch and

a softness to your countenance. Your

gaze falls softly, embracing an encounter

with ease and warmth.

Sensitivity offers an immense welcome

to vulnerability. Those who were called

to battle with life can find some much

needed repose in the greeting offered by

its welcome. Ferocity and angst can recede,

replaced by serenity and a deeper breath.

Sensitivity is eager to find a restrained way

to lean into difference. It resists domination.

It knows its own fragility and a fragility standing

before it. It knows unity as home and is prepared

to dismantle the scaffolding of hierarchy, remaining

acutely aware of whatever creates unnecessary separation.

Sensitivity is rightly accompanied by shyness,

a subtle vigilance. Such watchfulness can inform

and even infuse sensitivity with a discerning

boldness. Shyness can shed light upon some

acceptable risk, pointing sensitivity to where

it may live intimately.

Sensitivity is an immense gift and like all gifts,

carries some liability. It may be perceived by

another as an opportunity for exploitation or

domination. Sensitivity is not meant to leave

you excessively susceptible to being mistreated,

bullied or reviled.

It’s only too easy to push and exaggerate the

potency of a gift. An ounce of idealism or

naiveté can inflate your understanding of

how much sensitivity can actually accomplish.

You are asked to steward your heart’s sensitivity,

curious about where your heart belongs.

You can mindfully live your sensitivity by

asking, “Where should I bring my heart?”

Let some interior warrior take responsibility

for protecting your heart, ready to say

“No”! “Stop it” and “Enough”. Let welcome

and mistreatment inform you.