In the US, this week is focused on being thankful. It is a celebration and sharing of the first harvest the Pilgrims had in the New World. It was attended by Native Americans and the Pilgrims. Differences were set aside and the feast was enjoyed by all. I don’t know if it was as festive and filled with as much love and joy as we are taught in school. Does it matter?

Probably not. Yet, I never could seem to shake the feeling that it was not as wonderful as I learned it was.

Being someone that feels what other people feel, I often pick up more stress, overwhelm and sadness during this week. I have always wondered why when by all accounts, I should be picking up calm, peace, love and joy.

For a long time I thought it was me. The pictures on TV, the photos on social media and the smiles on people’s faces didn’t match what I was feeling. It must have been me that felt these other emotions. That is what I used to do. I always assumed that it was me and I never even knew that I could be picking up what others were feeling. So holidays like this one, were never my favorite. Anything that requires people to put on a mask, to do things they really don’t want to do.

Want to know what it feels like?

Visit a metropolitan airport on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Just observe the stress and overwhelm that is evident on almost every face there. Try to not feel what you are observing. Most people will quickly become stressed and overwhelmed. It is almost impossible not to when it is in such abundance.

But I don’t have to be at the airport to feel that because I am very sensitive to it. I feel it in the air, in pictures or standing by someone at the store. And, that is what I am thankful for…my sensitivity.

I used to hate it. Because … I didn’t understand it. I thought it was some kind of flaw that I would always have to live with, and endure. The only thing I had ever been offered as a kid was to not be so sensitive. I never could figure out how to do that and now I am grateful that I didn’t.

My sensitivity is powerful. It allows me to just know what someone is really feeling. I use it to help people get beyond their masks and in touch with their emotions. It is also something that I can let go of too. When I identify that what I am feeling is not mine, I can simply let it go. There is nothing I need to do or fix or transform. Knowing that has allowed me to enjoy holidays. I can feel what I want to feel and enjoy the time with my family and friends.

Learning this about my sensitivity has been a game changer. It is truly a gift and I am thankful for that gift.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!