October 28, 2007
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A return to xanga…
Hello xanga friends!
I have once again had a much longer than intended absence from xanga, and have missed keeping up with you all! I finally got the project I was stressed about last time I posted finished and that was a big relief. I was pulling together some photos from a trip a couple years back for someone who wanted to purchase them, and ran into numerous technical difficulties along the way as well as just finding it difficult to stay on task. I have such a backlog of photos to go through in general; perhaps one of these days I will feel caught up, but for safety’s sake I’m not going to hold my breath!
At the beginning of this month I went to Estes Park, Colorado (home of Rocky Mountain National Park!) for my first ever “HSP Gathering” – a retreat focused on being Highly Sensitive People. These gatherings were co-created in 2001 by Jacquelyn Strickland and Dr. Elaine Aron, and are an excellent way to find fellowship with other HSPs and to learn more about and share about ways of more effectively integrating the trait and shaping a lifestyle that works and feels good.
I was just delighted by the experience of being surrounded by others who share the inherent blessings and challenges of being highly sensitive in a culture where it is not the norm, and it is often unappreciated! It was like finding my long-lost tribe; it felt just wonderful to be around others I so readily identified with and with whom I felt so unusually comfortable! I have struggled so much to positively re-frame my self-concept since becoming disabled, but I realized I still have a ways to go. I discovered that when a number of people there at the Gathering who are in so many ways so much more functional than I – expressed such sincere appreciation and admiration for me and my non-mainstream life I felt utterly astounded, and deeply touched.
I realized how accustomed I had become to both viewing myself and being viewed negatively for not being able to function effectively in mainstream society – not being able to work, not doing well when surrounded by more concrete than wild nature, not doing well in noisy or busy places, or under tight deadlines, having limited social energy, etc. It felt so comforting and affirming to be around so many other people who also find such things unusually challenging – or distasteful – even if they were better able to function than I within them. I’ve also not been around that many people at one time ever for whom the idea of living simply in a cabin in the woods is as appealing as a chosen lifestyle, that was pretty neat too! I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to experience such deep fellowship, and in such a beautiful place, and to be able to stay in contact with them.
I stayed on a couple days after the Gathering ended to do some extra hiking and nature photography there in splendid Rocky Mountain National Park, and I hope to get some of those photos posted here soon.
Comments (11)
Welcome back… I’m sure it was a beautiful trip
You were an inspiration, dear one, and a most welcome and liked member of the tribe. We all went with our little insecurities and I think each one of us left feeling better about who we are. I’m so glad we had a chance to meet and I’m looking forward to seeing your photos. much love to you… ~Colleen
Wow good for you finding others like yourself. I would love to see some of your photos. Welcome back. Judi
i’m glad you got to got, and to meet colleen. she’s one of my Very Close Friends here on xanga. i love her so much.
good to hear you’re back and blogging. waiting *patiently* for pictures. and patience is not my strong suit. i could sure do with some time away from this big city (dallas) and out and on into the woods. it’s been so long, too long, since i’ve had some real nature in my life. not counting my babies (felines).
Wow! That sounds great. I constantly shock my coworkers and family with how sensitive I am to every kind of stimuli, physical and psychical. I do think that when us HSPs get a handle on our talents, we have the potential to be great multi-taskers. But it also means that we need our downtime, away from the bustle of society, the other way “normal” people need food and sleep.
Glad you posted. That sounds like an great time in a beautiful area.
I am so glad you came to Colorado and met your tribe; and it was wonderful to meet you, too! As Colleen said, you were an inspiration to so many… a shining example of how to create a life that’s a reflection of our truth.
Indeed, these Gatherings are life-changing events for all who go. Much love, Peter
I have enjoyed reading your site here. It is good to find those of like mind such as you have experienced at the Gathering.
Blessings~
Cath-
I didn’t get the chance to tell you there in CO, but I *heart* your photography! You have such an amazing visual perspective.
Thank you for sharing such a deep part of yourself with us (both at Estes Park and on Xanga).
I’m glad you had such a positive experience!
As for backlogged…I have a shoebox full of 35mm film!
-M
Thank you for sharing this!! I too am a HSP =- I am sure … I have never done well with lots of noise and people … It has also been a struggle for me as a person with a disability and having a hard time with others’ attitudes … not being able to have a regular job and all.
Even at Xanga I sometimes get a little overwhelmed by the sites that have lots and lots of things going one – that is why mine is simple – I like it that way! Welcome hone! ~ Diane Clancy