Exploring What Makes Us Different

Posted on Oct 10, 2019 Topic : Inspirational/Devotional, Women's Christian Living
Posted by : Denise J. Hughes

I wanted to do something different this year for my grown daughter’s birthday. Instead of finding something to wrap in a box, I wanted to find a way she and I could have more shared experiences. This has been a challenge because we are so different in our temperaments and personalities.

I’m the quiet, bookish type, and my daughter is a vivacious spirit, full of life and always looking for a new place to visit or a new sight to see. Finding activities we can do together—that we would both enjoy—can be tricky, so this year I purchased tickets to a Carrie Underwood concert, knowing we both enjoyed her music.

Outside the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, my daughter and I followed the throng of people from the parking lot to the nearest entrance, where everyone filed into a long line for the security check. My daughter was visibly excited, which made my mom-heart glad, but then I noticed the signs posted along the walkway.

The signs said something to the effect of WARNING: If you are pregnant or have heart problems, this performance will include smoking machines, pyrotechnic displays, and strobe lighting effects. They were the kind of signs you see when you’re in line for a high-speed roller coaster at an amusement park, so I took a deep breath and prepared myself for a highly stimulating concert.

The concert delivered everything the signs promised and more: loud speakers, thick smoke, bright lights, and indoor fireworks. I felt myself growing more tired by the minute while my sweet daughter soaked up every sound and strobe light.

Then, at one point the concert slowed, the lights dimmed, and all the other musicians left the stage. Carrie Underwood sat atop the grand piano and sang a ballad with the accompaniment of the pianist. It was beautiful. I savored this sweet respite and remembered why I enjoyed Carrie’s music so much.

Later that night, when I could finally crawl into the comfort of my soft bed, I smiled at the memory of my daughter’s face so full of joy. We had shared something together, and that made everything worthwhile, even though I knew I’d be comatose the next day. Because for me, I need some down time to recover from such a highly stimulating event, whereas my daughter would likely wake up the following morning energized and ready for a new day.

For a long time, I didn’t understand why I couldn’t enjoy the same things other people seemed to. Why couldn’t I enjoy the same concert that thousands of other people obviously did? Why am I so different?

If you relate more to my experience of the concert, it is possible you’re an HSP, too. If you relate more to my daughter’s experience of the concert, then it is at least likely you have a close relative or friend who is an HSP. One in five people are HSPs, but many have become good at hiding it. Many HSPs try to blend in with everyone around them—like I did at the concert—but there’s a cost to pay later, like spending the following day in a quiet stupor.

Have you ever wondered why the same event can be so energizing for some yet exhausting for others, perhaps even you? Maybe it’s time you explore whether you too are in the one-in-five crowd.