I’ve been called many things by those who are supposed to know me best: 

“hypersensitive”, “too emotional”, even “nuts.”

Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever get to a place where their words don’t cause me pain.

Probably not…that’s one of the costs of being:

“hypersensitive”, “too emotional”, even “nuts.”

Here are some things I’ve realized, moving back to where I’m from:

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I don’t need to be loved by everybody, just by some.

I can choose those who accept sensitivity, emotionality and even nuttiness.

I can live with the anger I feel at expectations unmet,

the fear I feel at being judged, and the sadness I feel at being rejected.

I can take care of me, even when it’s difficult –

exercise, hydration, nutrition, sleep, writing, friendship, animals, family, faith –

The healing these bring is within reach.

This is the way to take care of me, not believing what I am told when I am not who others want me to be.

“Hypersensitive”, “too emotional”, even “nuts” – yes!

With these three things, I’ve been blessed.

—from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story