I’ve always identified as a highly sensitive person, as defined by Psychologist Elaine N. Aron. Apparently about 20% of the population, and most “higher animals” are. It’s no big thing, nothing that makes us special, just more sensitive. Touch is more intense. Tastes and smells are stronger. And, of course, noises are louder.
So the construction in the suite right next door to mine–the swearing men, the music, the smashing and drilling–is hard to handle. I thought I’d been doing all right, blocking it out as much as possible with meditation music, breathing deep, keeping it in perspective. Then I went on vacation, and the nausea I’d been feeling disappeared–only to return the day I got back.
So I vamoosed to my mom and dad’s (lucky for me, I can write from almost anywhere). Ahhhh, peace. And then the neighbours started re-doing their fence: smashing, digging, hammering. ;)
Here’s what I’ve learned: Life is noisy. Life is not tailored to us. We can’t escape what bothers us. We need to develop skills to handle whatever life throws our way.
Yoga has taught me skills to alter my auto-response, and I continue to learn more, and deepen the ones I already know–and share them with you. Yoga helps us live a healthier, happier life, without leaving the life we live.
