highly sensitive power

One way to gain confidence and connect with people who are likely to understand you more readily than the general population is to attend a gathering of highly sensitive people (HSPs).

The blog HSP Notes is written by a man name Peter. In his post “Connecting HSPs” (scroll down to read the post) he writes about the paradox of trying to connect socially cautious HSPs and highly recommends HSP get-togethers as a solution. He’s attended quite a few and found them to be very rewarding for himself and for other HSPs he knows. In fact, Peter’s been instrumental in starting a variety of HSP groups. For more of his thoughtful enthusiasm, see his blog (and his sidebar, a treasure trove of useful links).

“HSPs – in groups – are very ‘organic.’ What I mean by that, is that you can put 20 HSPs together, and they will have much more in common than merely being sensitive. In contrast, put 20 vintage car enthusiasts, or 20 people affiliated with a political party together, and odds are they’ll only have marginally more commonalities than any random group of people. It’s this organic nature of HSPs as peers that makes it so important for them to connect.”

~ Peter, “Reflections on the California HSP Gathering“

For further gatherings enthusiasm, see Marcia Norris’s article “Why HSPs Need to Gather” (from the August 2001 issue of Elaine Aron’s Comfort Zone newsletter).

Information about upcoming gatherings can be found on Jacquelyn Strickland’s HSP Gatherings page on her LifeWorks website. If you scroll down the Gatherings page, you’ll see photos and links to agenda details from past gatherings – useful for getting sneak peeks of the kinds of activities to be expected.

What do you think? Does the idea of attending an HSP gathering appeal, but simultaneously give you the heebie-jeebies? Well, then, let your curiosity take you by the hand and lead you. Explore possibilities. Go with a pal. Use some vacation time. Figure out how to make it happen. Take a chance. Find your people.

“What is a Community? The Latin word munus means ‘gift,’ as in ‘giving of one’s self to others.’ The word munere refers to something prized, precious, and worth defending. Whenever people develop an attitude of caring for the wellbeing of the whole, community is present….

“Whatever drives people to cooperate and collaborate in the first place is not quite as important as what makes them continue to associate. Resilient connections create viable and sustainable communities. Communities that succeed in making these connections tend to attract the attention of less-connected individuals, who may seek to join and add their resources, energy, and values.”

~ Albert Bates, The Post-Petroleum Survival Guide and Cookbook, from New Society Publishers