Update: Sensitivity

One major omission from my previous post on overreaction is my inclination to be overly sensitive. I would like to say it's a natural by-product of my passionate disposition and attitude. At least that makes it sound more positive.

The man who used to keep me up at night always commented on how sensitive I am, and by comment, I mean get angry/frustrated with. Though it would be completely naive for me to disagree with his assertion entirely, I know that what spurred a lot of my sensitivity was his insensitive nature - his unwillingness to even try to see my perspective, his tendency to blame others first, and his inability to make me a priority in his life. Yes, I know. Shame on me for "excusing" his behavior, but the point of the example is that I might not be so sensitive if you're less insensitive.

A friend of mine jokingly says that I need to be handled with "kid gloves," and depending on the topic, she's absolutely right. Most of the time, it's not what you say, but how you say it. And we could all benefit from keeping that in mind, no matter what we are communicating about.

For this blog, I dedicate Insensitive by Jann Arden.