Lesson 4: Don’t let the world make you hard.
I’m not really sure how to stay sensitive in a world that looks down on sensitivity. What I do know is that being sensitive is my favorite character trait.
I’ve really been struggling with keeping my sensitivity in the last year, especially over the last few months. Divorce, being lied to, constant disappointment, and working have all made me want to harden my shell. But for all of those exact reasons, I HAVE to remain sensitive.
Working at a halfway house can make you harden up really fast. I don’t know what addiction is like on a personal level. I don’t know what it’s like to grow up in a cycle of crime. But it’s my sensitivity that lets me be empathetic and want to help these people who are struggling. On the other hand, there’s always a bit of manipulation happening. In my work world, sensitivity is a sign of weakness and most of our clients can smell it like blood in the water. I’m lied to on a daily basis. It’s hard not to take that personally but I can’t. And that’s where my skin is thickening.
With my kids, sensitivity is the most important tool in my mom toolbox. It helps me relate to their little world issues. I want to raise boys who will turn into men who are not afraid to feel and show their emotions. I want them to know they’re loved and I want them to love.
So. In a world that’s terrifying and backwards and seemingly getting worse by the day, how does one remain sensitive? By staying true to who you are. And that’s my plan.
Warming Up 