Sensitivity: weakness or strength?

Image by Vasil Stefanov from Pixabay 

I am a rather sensitive gal and I’m not ashamed of that.

My father was very worried about that and he would always encourage me to toughen up. He would say: “When something bad happens, think of yourself as a rock against wind and storm!” I believed him, I believed it was the right thing to do.

As I grew up and I had my share of suffering and pain I realised that approach was not right for me. First of all metaphors don’t apply the same way to everyone. I mean, a rock could be a symbol of strength for someone but could represent stiffness for someone else.

When I think of a rock I imagine a very romantic scene in the very literary meaning of it. An isolated rock in the midst of a forest surrounded by mountains. Grey clouds gathering menacingly. Wind and rain thrusting against the rock and the powerless trees.

Of course a rock cannot be broken or ruined easily but it is affected by time and weathering. Also a rock stays where it is and remains unmoved no matter what happens around it.

Is being like a rock an emblem of power and strength or rather a sign of inflexibility, stubbornness and insensitivity? I think you already know my answer. Don’t get me wrong I like the idea of remaining authentic but the truth is that people, events and situations do change us. And that’s the beauty of it. They help us evolve and change for the better if we are open to it.

I believe sensitivity is the real strength, because listening, opening yourself to feelings and emotions is hard but makes you able to take opportunities, connect with others and ultimately see things in a different light. Creatives are the way they are because they are sensitive and from the way they see the world and they experience it, they get their unique view that is called out-of-the-box thinking.