Sensitive people in insensitive world!

Sensitive and creative people, in particular, artists, have been misunderstood and underestimated over the centuries. However, such ones have introduced history and culture to the world. Their spontaneous and heart felt reactions to outside influences, however, has categorized them. It is about time we educate and correct the views of non creative people, who do not posses same amount of sensitivity.

Sensitivity is the quality of being capable to perceive with all senses and swiftly respond to external conditions and stimulations. It is a vulnerability to the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others. It is also the degree to which someone or something may be affected by someone or something else directly, as rods and cones on the eye's retina and photo-reactive components of photography are instantly affected by light. This response happens when a photographic plate, film or paper are exposed to light, especially to light of a specified wavelength. Artists are also affected similarly by their surroundings. Although creativity is an essential component of an artist's productivity and can flourish when motivated, there are things that can unfortunately obstruct the manifestation of this quality.

Environmental and cultural factors can wedge sensitive people from keeping this quality.

Environmental causes such as, dealing with repressive and/or negative people, dealing with inconsiderate people, financial worries, lack of organizational support, lack of trust, insecurities and environmental instability. Facing certain limitations and threats can also sabotage creativity.

Cultural factors such as, mistakes are not allowed, high expectations to be perfect, seeking the approval of others, Worrying about whether or not we’re making the right decisions can also affect creativity and hinder our explorative spirit. While creativity should not be controlled by human, yet, is governed by the principles of Mother Nature.

So what is the way out? How can we keep our creativity, protect our sensitivities and keep our senses alive? How can we keep balance in unbalanced world?:

Here are the Ten Commandments in this regard:
2- Interact with fellow artists who closely understand the mental make up of other artists.
3- Always keep a sense of humour.
4- Receive criticism with an open mind, it might not necessarily be right, but each one of us, has his own opinion.
5- Learn from other’s experiences, and listen to their comments with an open mind.
6- Build up a defense system to protect you from those who can damage your sensitivity.
7- Realize that facing reality is a learning process and requires hard work.
8- Focus on, even the slightest positive things we posses in our lives.
9- Be determined to live our lives in the way we were meant to when we were created.
10-Enjoy the gift of life, dissolve the fear of men and fear only God.


Mona Youssef - Realist fine artist