highly sensitive power

I’ve been learning German for years and dabble in French now and again. These forays into learning another language make my life richer than I could ever have imagined, not only because of the thrill of the skill or the insight into another culture that only learning their language can provide, but because of the deep and rewarding connections I’ve had with people I would not have had access to otherwise. My sister-in-law is dear to me in a way that goes far beyond being in-laws. We communicate in pieces of German or English since neither of us is fluent in the other’s native language. We’re glad to fumble through because we have so much to share with each other.

Besides being fluent in English, I also speak HSP. When I spend time with highly sensitive people (HSPs) I am struck by the sense that we speak the same native language. Even meeting an HSP for the first time feels like coming home, like the part of me that is constantly at work translating my world so it will make sense to the world-at-large can relax. I love that feeling. It makes me seek out other HSPs in order to expand my homeland.

In the same way that speaking German has opened up worlds of love and connection and joy for me even though the process of becoming multilingual takes effort over time, speaking both HSP and non-HSP does the same thing. When I make the effort to understand things from the perspective of non-HSPs and when I’m conscious about translating my world so that non-HSPs and I can connect deeply, both of our worlds are enriched. We need each other. Being a multilingualist helps close the gap.

“Every social group – family, organization, town, or nation – needs its sensitive people to balance those equally wonderful folks at the other end of the spectrum who make the great test pilots, ambulance drivers…and sales managers.”

“You were born to be among the advisors and thinkers, the spiritual and moral leaders of your society. There is every reason for pride.”

~ Elaine Aron, The Highly Sensitive Person