I have recently concluded that indeed I am a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). Reading the book by Elaine Aron written on this subject has brought me to self reflection. Looking back at my earliest memories and observing my immediate family I feel we are all HSP in some regard. Just to varying degrees.
I don't have many memories from my first years. I feel most are just stories that were told to me.
First example, being told that mom was nursing me in the beginning until I bit her boob. I'm guessing that my sensitive digestion did not like her milk (she tells me she did not eat very healthy during her pregnancy). Hmm. Next example, my mom told me of many times as an infant and toddler that I did not want to go down for naps, crying hysterically. Dad confirmed that and said he would come home for lunch and take me for a drive around the block to get me to sleep. I wonder if that was part of my HSP trait? Over stimulated or feeling the energy of others around me? Mom said she felt that I didn't want to miss anything. Another example was that I would cry and scream when my mom would give me a bath. I kind of remember that. It would be when she would put me on my back to wash my hair. I was deathly afraid of that. Not sure if it was the water in my ears, fear of drowning or what. Poor mom nearly had a nervous breakdown every time. It must have been hard not knowing that I was just born HSP.
Mom was a stay at home housewife and dad worked long hours. We grew up in a very lovely town. I was their first child. They had me when they were 18 and 19. Very young. Mom had four siblings and had some experience with children. Dad was the youngest of three and did not. Dad wasn't ready to be a father and mom knew she had to get married if she was pregnant. Very taboo in those days not to. She married a high school friend. Named me after him. That only lasted a short time and at age 3 my parents married. My dad had to adopt me and they changed my name. I didn't find this information out until my teens. So, first born meant I got a lot of attention from uncles, aunts and grandparents. Had mom and dad alone for almost a year.
My nurturing instincts kicked in when my brothers arrived. I was almost 4 when the first of two came along. I remember playing with him and caring for him right away. He was such a happy, smiling baby. Not very fussy at all. I don't remember any instances where I was having problems with any of my inherent HSP traits, as far I can recall. Brother number two came along at 5 1/2. He is also an HSP. He was very fussy, constipated and a little more to handle. Still fun to play with though. I can't remember noticing any sensitivities to anything in particular at that time of my life. Although we were all very picky eaters. Mom became a short order cook just to make sure we all ate well. We lived in a wonderful neighbor hood. Lots of kids to play with. We all did pretty good in school up til 6th grade.
It has been my experience that Food Can Change your Mood. Food for our Bodies. Food for our Minds. Food for our Souls. I firmly understand the necessity to remove from the Body's, Mind's, and Soul's experience any and all negative energies, otherwise many Symptoms of DisEase become prevalent. Most importantly, Symptoms of DisEase tend to disappear when the Body is Nourished, when the Mind is Nourished, when the Soul is Nourished POSITIVELY.
ReplyDeleteWhat we take away from the experience of Being flooded with negative energy from before our conception, during our gestation, and while progressing through our infancy is a determination to present a decent and loving environment where Care, Compassion, and Concern for Our Children SUPERSEDES our need for negative energy distractions: cigarettes, alcohol, television, entertainment. When any person is subject to an environment that is rife with derision, the consequences are stress. When an infant is subject to them, many, many, many symptoms are manifest.
Being HSP is just as likely an effect of the environment that caused the disease. However, if the HSP is not related to the conception, gestation, and nursing in a profoundly negative energy environment; Then, AT THE VERY LEAST, a true HSP is not helped having to suffer it's first interactions with it's world through an environment that is profoundly WRONG.
By the time the 2nd sibling comes along, the primary care giver's have learned how to have their cake and eat it too. They've adapted their needs to party; And, not be distracted by the 2nd siblings needs for PEACE AND QUIET.
No Blame. No Shame. No Guilt. Just facts. What we take away from the experience is a determination to Be Different. As potential primary care givers to conceived and gestating Beings, we are determined to provide a place of Peace to the Person we'd procreate.
This is Western. This is Christian. The Eastern perspective is different. The Buddhist teach us that the Soul of the Being yet conceived is available in the Consciousness of All That Is for it's own determination, i. e. Children Pick Their Parents. This is completely different from the perspective that the Soul/Being is Procreated upon Conception by the Spirit of the Mother, the Spirit of the Mother and the Spirit of the Holy (The Holy Ghost.)
We are not there yet, but given the prospective of our future, and the perspective of our past, We are open to the opportunity to Be Blessed with Peace.
Love, Robert.