Flaws and all

I just read an article discussing the topic of loving ourselves wholeheartedly, this includes loving those things which we perceive to be our "flaws." I can identify with this, as I have often been hard on myself for some things.

Sensitivity - Throughout the years, I have been hard on myself about being "too sensitive" or "too kind" or "too nice" - and on more than several occasions, I've endured the condescending attitudes of others who've pointed out that I was "too nice." More often than not, I took it personally and began to see it as a weakness. But in truth, maybe it's high time that I viewed it as a strength!

In this world, where people do jobs they don't want to do, live in arrangements that don't really make them happy, etc. I think my sensitivity to all things actually PROTECTS me and SERVES ME in the interest of helping me to survive and to grow. It was my sensitivity and my intuition that helped me to see that I needed to remove myself from the Chicago life for a while - if not permanently, instead of denying that I was no longer enjoying myself there. It was my sensitivity and caring nature that reminded me of who I was when things got tough while living there - it didn't allow me to do work or be around people whose behavior I found abhorrent. If that sounds judgmental, so be it. But it's the truth of how I felt. I love my ability to tap into that side of myself, because it fuels my desire to see the world become a better place, it replenishes my creativity and it energizes me when I suffer from occasional bouts of a lack of motivation.
Actually, the more that I think about it - people often flippantly ask, "what can we do to make the world a better place?" I think one of the ingredients to improvement would certainly be sensitivity!! Not in a passive, "are you okay, are you feeling okay" kind of way, but being sensitive in the ways we relate to one another, taking the time to show respect and have compassion for one another - to ENJOY each other. Being sensitive, being nice, being kind is important - and this CAN be achieved without being perceived or treated like a doormat!Yes it can!