Oh, it is called by many different names, it is.  Sensitive. Over-sensitive.  Thin-skinned.  Delicate.  Easily hurt.

Which brings me to….. Like.

In my case, “the need to be liked.”  This is something very true about me.  I like to be liked.  Maybe that’s why I get along so well with dogs and little kids.   But, I can tell… pretty much right away…. when someone doesn’t like me.  In that way I am hypersensitive.  And then I let it bug the heck out of me.

I can tell by their body language, the look on their faces… or lack there of.  I can tell by the tone in their voices…. the sketchy eye contact.   I rarely get this one wrong.

Today… I ran into this a few times.  As I mentioned earlier, it affects me pretty deeply.

I have heard some people say that they don’t care one way of the other…  if someone likes them..  or NOT.  Whew.  I just don’t know how that could ever be possible for me.  It is completely out of my realm of understanding or capability.

Try as I may to NOT let it bother me… it has a way of bothering me.  Like a fly on a horses rump.

And in that analogy… I would be the horse’s ass.

Intellectually, I get this.  It shouldn’t matter.  Just treat people kindly, and it is up to them how it is received.  Yep.  I’ve read the Self-Help Jargon on all of this.  But.  That is like telling a jar of cream puff marshmallow topping… not to be sticky.  It is sticky.  No way around it.

I guess I can garner one positive aspect of this.  That affliction of sensitivity is a part of my personality.  Perhaps, though, it is a quality.  There are times, I think, when we need to be sensitive, and delicate….. and even vulnerable.  It is a piece of being human.   Just like marshmallow topping needs to be sticky.  And like Donald Trump needs that Furby on his head.

That sensitivity may lend itself to compassion.  And in that way.. it is a positive attribute.  We should try to find grace in our ability to act with love, tolerance, kindness, and tenderness.  (Okay… so I slipped with the Donald Trump comment.)

So.  I will try to work on being compassionate…..  with those who don’t like me.  I just wish my feelings didn’t get hurt so easily.  I wish things didn’t stick to me like marshmallow goo.

“Wherever there is a human in need, there is an opportunity for kindness and to make a difference.” —Kevin Heath

“What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?”—Jean Jacques Rousseau