Feminine Genius Ep4/Sensitivity

This is part of a 6 part series on the Feminine Genius, as highlighted in St John Paul II's Letter to Women.

Far too often, "sensitivity" gets a bad rep in contemporary culture. We throw around insults like "Oh stop being so sensitive" with little consideration for it really means. Little wonder then that we react negatively when we are labelled as being "overly sensitive". Our common understanding of "sensitivity" places focus on "liable to being offended or hurt". What is wrong with that? It points to our fear of vulnerability which allows us to be sensitive. If we wore "invisible armour" and kept our heads down, we would have little awareness of the needs and struggles of the people around us. On the flip side, we think of people as insensitive when they fail to demonstrate empathy for the plight of others or hurt other people with their words and actions, with little consideration for their feelings. How can being sensitive, be such a bad thing then?

It has become commonplace for people to view "sensitivity" as a weakness but I contend that it takes a great deal of courage! To be sensitive, is much like how a thermometer works, it responds to changes in conditions, in this case, temperature fluctuations. We demonstrate sensitivity when we are aware of the change in the moods of our friends, when we are aware that they need a listening ear, when we can sense that our help is needed in some way. The interesting thing about sensitivity, is that we discover much more about the people and the world around us and live much fuller lives because of it. We do not only look up from our phones because of a loud noise or scream, we are attuned to the needs of the people around us. Society itself has become increasingly desensitized such that we lack the vital gift of empathy for our fellow brother and sister. It is much easier to focus on our own needs and to be deaf to the cries of others. Matthew 25:44 paints a particularly poignant picture:

Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

In fact, we are not too different from these people - we are numb and fail to see the plight of the people around us. We focus on our own needs and wants and feel it is someone else's job to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit the sick. This passive, "armchair" mentality is one of the many reasons why we are a society of passivity and individualism. Yet, we are challenged to be sensitive, to not only be aware of the needs of others but to take concrete action!

I find myself being caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life - its stress and pressure and sometimes fail to catch the change in tone of a friend's messages, the increasing irregularity, the monosyllabic responses. They are all signs of a need for a little conversation - which requires a little sensitivity on my part. I have reminded myself to slow down and to realise more fully His gift of sensitivity for me. As I delve deeper into the Feminine Genius, I realise my own shortcomings and "lack" - but it also reminds me that I have this inherent ability to be the woman He desires me to be. He reminds us all that we have a unique gift to offer to the people around us and we can start with the people closest to us.

I close this article with a few questions to ponder:

1. What negative stereotypes do I have of "sensitivity"? Have I been labelled as "overly sensitive"? How did I feel?

2. How can I be more sensitive to the needs of others in my life? How can I offer them the support they need and to be a sister to them?

3. How can I deepen my sensitivity to the workings of the Holy Spirit in my life?