When you pick up the emotional energy of others around you as easily as you take in oxygen there is good news and not-so-good news. I want to outline a couple of points on both and this article will focus on the “good” news as I see it (and experience it, via my own IntuitiveBody!).
For my clients, highly sensitive and empathic women who come to me for various things.. body and weight issues, help sorting out relationships and boundaries, and moving through big transitions that often include losses..it’s good to know the strengths and drawbacks of your nature.
For example.. last night I was invited to an event at Whole Foods in Wellesley, Ma.. used to live in the town, always fun to return. WF was hosting a special evening watching a beautiful cooking demo (and generous servings of hors d’oevres, small bites and desserts) by Whole Foods consultant and celebrity vegan restaurateur, Chef Chad Sarno.
Chad is the co-author of the recent bestselling cookbook, “Crazy Sexy Kitchen” with Kris Carr. A book that whether you are interested in going completely vegan or vegetarian or not.. I highly recommend.. it’s gorgeous. And I love the phrase “plant-empowered” that describes the recipes. How can you not love those words, that idea, that intention?
My current eating style is pretty mixed. I have always had an attachment to animal protein.. it’s true. I have also been vegan for a short period of time until I got a serious bacterial infection (giardia.. source unknown) and was unable to eat much for several weeks, years ago. And I love vegetables, love fruit, love whole foods and recommend them always always to my clients. For me, there is no diet, there is eating real food. I have found what works for my body over many years of experimenting and getting to know my own chemistry. And it shifts and changes with the seasons and with life.
And yet.. there I was.. so excited and inspired watching this talented inspirational master-chef, getting ready to seriously reconfigure my way of eating and cooking. Because as an empath, as somebody who picks up energy oh-s0-easily…I (and you who are also built this way) am easily inspired..easily moved. Able to feel things deeply and passionately.
As sensitives, we will more easily mirror or match the energy that’s around us (this is also the ‘bad news’..which I’ll discuss in Part 2 of this article).
I believe this is one of the highlights of tapping into what’s around us.. the ability to be inspired, especially to be inspired to action. That moment when you get a whiff of something, and you feel it click into your IntuitiveBody.. a sense of knowing and connection that says “follow that”…There’s excitement.. a sense of vision and possibility.
And the best part is that it doesn’t take all that much to get there. That’s when the world is your proverbial oyster.. everything and anything can serve as your source for the next piece of what lights you up. I believe most sensitive/empaths are creative by nature because of this.. they notice and are moved by their senses because of a certain level of sensitivity.. and so when it’s good, it can be very very good. Beauty can be incredibly beautiful. Delicious and colorful, Chad Sarno’s cooking was gorgeous and inspired and I pored over the recipes we learned and every page of the cookbook this morning. I truly couldn’t wait to start fooling around in the kitchen.. had lists of new ingredients or temporarily neglected ones that called to be revived.
When you are picking up inspired, inspirational, positive energy..things can be very very good, right? When you know how to surround yourself with friends that uplift you, choose and create home and work environments that hold an aesthetic and supportive energy that gives back to you, have a partner that mirrors back the best of you, you will thrive. Even (or sometimes especially) what you wear.. how you adorn yourself.. all of it matters depending on what degree of sensitive you are.
It’s important to really get to know your nature.. to know what will bring out the best in you, or not. And to begin to make adjustments like it matters, because for you my darling, it most surely does. You will shine brightly and beautifully, and your best most open-hearted qualities will be easily accessed when you find ways to match the energies in ways that are just-right for you.
I’d love to hear your opinions about how your nature serves you.. the best parts about being sensitive/empathic and how you make it work for you..
With love to your beautiful heart…
And… I have brand new mentoring packages for you. One for living most beautifully and peacefully in your body.. to finally end any struggles and all of the searching, in a powerful focused new format. 5 spots open for March/April..
Kay says
Hi Lisa,
This blog post spoke to me…thank you. I have been moving through a transition for several months and there have definitely been some challenging times. When you mentioned surrounding oneself with people and environments that support you, that confirmed what I had been feeling but had never put into words. I have always found that I am happiest and most productive when I am around people who support my values, especially in the workplace.
My friends always comment that i throw great parties. I am convinced it is because all the people in my life share a certain honesty and zest for life, even though they come from all walk of life, professions and cultures.
So thank you for putting into words what I could not!
Lisa says
Hi Kay.. so glad this clarified some things for you. And of course you intuitively already knew it even if you hadn’t found the expression. Your point is a good one, and I believe is true for most that we are happiest and most productive when we feel supported. When’s the next party? Love and blessings, Lisa
Mary says
I don’t even know where to start, I am a therapist and I have been in the mental health field for 30 some years. I am currently studying for my license, currently working as a certified family therapist near Boston. My work involves all complex trauma. I fit every single marker for Empath/highly sensitive, but I also have psychic abilities, or gift as my mother use to say. It was very intense in my youth, dreams that came true, knowing when there was danger, and those awful precognition warnings. It got so bad, that I had to try and shut some of it down. The sad part of this so called gift, is that I feel like I don’t belong in here, and that I am very different from everyone else. Some of my friends/co-workers think this is really cool, but they have no idea how I feel. I know about my patients immediately when I first met them, and they never said a word. I pick up energy all day long, and in team meetings I have been known to blurt things out when something is not right. My co-workers ask me how I know such personal information in re to their struggles and feelings, and all I can say is I just know. I am not even going to get into how intense my so called gift of powers were in other areas, such as the spirit world, leaving my body, yeah there was a time when it was pretty intense. Most times I am depressed, sad, and lonely, I am tired, and very stressed. I feel like I am really not a part to this world at times, not always, but some, and I can never stop thinking, always trying to understand why we are here. What am I suppose to do with this? On the positive side, I am a talented therapist. How could I not be when I already know exactly what everyone is thinking. I feel like I am just seeing other people, but, they don’t see me. These last several months have been very intense, very emotional, extremely reflective, but, I feel like I am the only one in this world. What am I going to do, and why do I have this?
Mary
Lisa says
Hi Mary~Thanks for your honest and raw response. I see it as a blessing and a curse but mostly blessing, once you learn how to create the right protection, boundaries, and ways of working with your intuitive/empathic nature. And yes, it makes us really good therapists once we attune but the downside is “feeling too much” or feeling overwhelmed or “run” by the information that comes in. This is what I work with clients around… these pieces…Appreciate your writing. Many blessings, Lisa
Claire says
You’ve described me; but I would never really have thought of myself in those terms. It was really enlightening. I do get inspired really quickly and it lifts my energy and i feel amazing. i’ve recnyly realised what a huge impact diet has on me and I’m working on finding what feels best. I’m looking forward to the second part of the article.
Lisa says
Hi Claire! So helpful to get this feedback.. I am finding many people would not have necessarily portrayed themselves in these terms so that’s great information for me. What I know of you, I would say you are definitely a sensitive/empath and so food will be really important to consider.. notice what drains you.. what really agrees with you and energizes you..trust your IntuitiveBody for that kind of feedback and see how you feel, would love to know what you notice. Love to you, lisa
Jennifer says
I also am looking forward to the second part. I tend to see picking up energy as a negative instead of a positive (working on those boundaries!) so this was a great way to remind myself of the positives (which is also probably why I can jump easily from one subject to another always fascinated).
I’ve just started dressing more like “me” and noticed such a difference in my day. Energy was easier to block. Go figure.
Lisa says
Hey Jennifer.. Very cool about stepping more into the “you” via clothing.. it’s a powerful piece of self expression and clothing can definitely be an extension of our energy.. REally interesting comment about how it helped you “block” other energies more easily.. would love to hear more about that. My challenge to you is to begin to look for where the other advantages are to the empath piece!! Second part coming within the week.. Love and blessings.. Lisa
Melanie Martin says
I always love your blog posts so much because of your wisdom. I have read once that “we become who we surround ourselves with” and so I am trying to surround myself with people that do not drain too much on my energy resources. For me there is a huge difference between someone hitting a rough patch and you are there for them and someone who is in a state of constant drama and requires you as a spectator and confirmation of their misery. As someone who picks up on energy, I can no longer do that as it makes me ill.
Great post.
Lisa says
Melanie.. so glad to ‘see’ you here.. it’s been awhile. Thank you for those words.. and yes.. always good to surround ourselves with low-drain others. Your distinction above is a good one, and a great boundary for good personal care..looks like you have a new website.. am going to check it out. Love to you, Lisa
Andrea Dinardo says
Dearest Lisa,
You are one incredible writer. Your blog is like a feast for the soul. Thank you for sharing so much of you with the world. We need you! Someday I’d love for you to give a guest lecture on this topic to my nursing students. Self-care is top priority for this group. Food and sensivity is a wonderful entry point. Until then, I will meet you on our CM couch for love & laughter..
Love Andrea
P.S. Reid Tracy from Hay House will be calling you soon.. I feel it..
Lisa says
My darling Andrea… so good to feel your bright light shining on me… thank you.. really, you know this means a lot to me. I would love to talk to your students (and see you in professor mode). Our silver couch….like a beacon from the North…BTW.. does Reid know? Interesting story to tell you privately. Love you dearly.. Lisa
teryll says
I connected with the part you said about being inspired as an empath/highly sensitive creature. When something resonates with me, I am easily inspired to research, dig deep and play with whatever has inspired me, be it a new recipe or just finding out more about an ingredient, eating lifestyle, etc………
Community is essential to this part of us. One of my dear friends and I have talked about this recently, how our environment and community are deeply connected to us creating/being inspired, etc.
Lisa says
Hi Teryll! I love your expanding on this.. yes.. I also go into the research mode via curiosity to find out more when something catches my attention.. haven’t totally thought about this piece but I think it applies to our “type”..really good point, thank you. I am thinking more and more about community.. about creating one actually… thoughts? Love to you..Lisa
Jessica says
“Plant-empowered” — what a wonderful way to think, cook, and eat! I know I feel a lot more power when I’m eating plant foods (vs. the rare times I have meat). It makes a huge difference for me. I have a feeling I know what’s coming in part 2, but I can’t wait to read your take on it.
Lisa says
Hey Jessica! I know what a great term (not mine, but love it)..You must be psychic (plus intuitive plus empathic plus sensitive plus fabulous) since I’m not exactly sure what’s coming in “part 2”.. the sequel.. but yeah.. I do have some ideas and you probably do know! Loved your post on eating your vegetables (plants) this week…xox Lisa
eyenie says
Oh-so lovely Lisa, thank you! This really resonated–I felt like you had written it about me in a way! My dude always thinks it’s funny to see how excited and inspired I get with a whoooole lotta different things, and like you describe, it touches me so deeply and I connect, and it’s so dreamy! You have inspired me to go out and connect with people who make me feel zippy like this, who are doing things that keep me reeling and thrilled to be doing what I do! It is so vital! YAY! Thank you! 🙂
Lisa says
Oh Eyenie…thank you. I’m loving that it felt so true for you, this is all really helpful feedback for me. Your happy upbeat energy deserves to be met and magnified…go get em.. My pleasure, of course. Much love.. Lisa
Michelle Pippin says
Love this article… love ALSO that I saw your facebook post about said chef. Seems that it’s not ONLY the book that was gorgeous! =) lol…. I’m going to pick the book up today. I’m — like you — somewhat attached to my protein, however it’s hard to find many Health “experts” who truly embrace our decision to eat it. =) So, I’m always considering going vegan — and do so for at lease one meal a day. Sometimes more.
Anyway, also love your celebration of empaths and sensitives… because while there are some inherent challenges, there IS much to celebrate! Thanks for starting HERE. Look forward to part two.
xoxo
Lisa says
Hi Michelle! For a minute I got confused because I know I still haven’t written that post about Chad and the cookbook! And I actually eat a fair amount of vegan meals but I have no food rules for my own body other than no gluten and pretty much no dairy (I eat butter and a bit of cheese, but almost never) and these are b/c of food sensitivities, etc.
Anyways… yes.. there are many many things to celebrate as a sensitive/empath, once you learn how to manage the potential overload around picking up everybody elses’ emotions and feeling compelled to respond to them…(mini spoiler-alert for Part 2..).
Love you… Lisa
Jacqueline Fairbrass says
I love that you honor the changes we go through. We have a quick fix society looking for an instant plan in every aspect of life. As you point out, we are complex and changing. We need to acknowledge that we ebb and flow and reconnect to nature.
Great article. Thank you.
Choose Happy and make today sparkle.
Lisa says
Jacqueline, thank you.. My own body and experience give me so much information that keeps me alert and aware of what others “like me” also experience.. as you know we become so well-versed at what we know. And.. that there ain’t no quick fixes.. nor should there be.. anything that needs attention, needs loving consistent attention because it’s a bit of a soul-call, a firewalk, something we are meant to know about ourselves and master.. Yes to the reconnection with nature.. Wish we could sit down for a cuppa, you and I! xox
teryll says
All of you ladies may enjoy this recent interview on the good life project with Alex Jamieson – there is a lot of discussion about honoring your body, your hungers and it’s in line with Lisa’s work as well!
http://www.goodlifeproject.com/alex-jamieson/
Lisa says
Teryll.. thank you for posting this.. haven’t had time to watch it but it looks very interesting and yes, right up my alley.. so appreciate you sharing it!! Love to you.. Lisa