News from The Highly Sensitive Person Publishing Company

Volume 9 Inspiration and Information for Highly Sensitive People

April 2009

In This Issue

Topic: What are the joys of pet ownership?

When: Wednesday, April 29, 2009
8:30 PM

Where: On the phone

Cost: Free!

Agenda: Share stories about your pets and discuss the many ways they enhance your life.

Learn more and RSVP for this event.

Cliff will send out the conference call details a few days prior to the event.

Making Sense of Your High Sensitivity

In his book, Cliff reflects upon his life and provides a unique HSP perspective on the lessons he has learned.

Learn More

Decision Making
Workshop in NJ

Topic: Decision Making Made Easier

When: Saturday, May 16, 2009
1:30 - 3:30 PM

Where: Cha Cha Gifts
1300 Livingston Ave
North Brunswick NJ

Cost: $25 pre-registration ($30 at door). Enroll online. We accept VISA, MC, and PayPal.

Agenda: Talk & discussion circle with author Cliff Harwin

Learn more and RSVP for this event.

Happy Spring!

"Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day."

~W. Earl Hall

Emotional Freedom

"Dr. Orloff shows you how to achieve a lightness of being and feel more positive and peaceful. Highly recommended."
~Deepak Chopra M.D..

Dr. Orloff celebrates the exciting launch of her new book: Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life.

She is treating you to an incredible book launch one-time offer with special gifts from Judith and others such as Dr. Mark Hyman, John Gray, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Bruce Lipton, Dr. Michael Beckwith and more!

Learn more

Dear ,

I apologize for the tardiness of this newsletter. April has been a very trying month for me and my family. A few weeks ago, we suddenly lost our beloved dog (see Tribute to "Teddy").

I would like to thank those of you who have sent condolences. I am especially grateful to Lynne La Bianca of The Highly Sensitive Person Friendship Circle for sending the touching story, There is a God in the Post Office. (I have included a copy of it in this newsletter.)

Although my family is deeply affected by this loss, we are doing our best to manage our grief so that the healing can begin.

Tribute to "Teddy"

I'm writing this column with a heavy heart. On March 28th, my dog Teddy passed away. He was a very important part of our family. I'm sure that animal lovers that are reading this newsletter can relate to the feeling of loss and grief that my family feels.

It's a particular shock that Teddy's passing happened so suddenly. He was getting on in years, but he didn't have serious health issues, he looked like a "young pup", and had an abundance of energy until the end.

It's true that we never know what's going to happen from day to day. Grief for a human being, a beloved pet, a lost relationship, a job loss, or a loss in any other form can be devastating. Deeply feeling highly sensitive people may experience a longer lasting feeling of grief and loss. It's important that we have a strategy to help us through these difficult times.

I would like to give you some of the strategies that are helping me and my family during this difficult time.

Don't minimize your loss. I've had pets all of my life. I know the pain of losing a beloved pet. A family pet represents a significant emotional investment in your life. Don't ignore the importance of this loss or be embarrassed by it. Be patient with yourself and give yourself enough time to work through your feelings.
Share your feelings and seek comfort from others. Talk about your feelings with your family and friends, especially those who are animal lovers. It's okay to cry if you need to. Don't be ashamed to seek professional help if you need it.
Make the time to rest. Since emotional and physical energy can be easily depleted by grief, it's extremely important to exercise self-care when coping with intense emotions. We have to take the time to re-charge our batteries by having enough alone time and getting our proper rest.
Remember the good times. It was very helpful when my family and I looked at photos and videos of Teddy. It was very comforting to reminisce about the fun times.
Have a proper ending. A proper ending for your pet is a very individualized thing. It's important that you do what's comfortable and appropriate for you. We decided on cremation. Teddy's ashes are in a small wooden box in a glass bookcase in our family room. This was a fitting tribute to Teddy that my family was comfortable with.

Good bye Teddy, old buddy, old pal. Thanks for the wonderful memories and being our beloved family pet for the past fourteen years. We love you and miss you dearly!

There is a God in the Post Office

A Story of a Child's Love for her Pet

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my young daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. Here is her letter:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith, and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, "To Meredith", in an unfamiliar hand writing. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, "When a Pet Dies". Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God

I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.

Emotional Freedom

Judith Orloff MD, bestselling author and UCLA psychiatrist, invites you on a remarkable journey in her new book: Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life.

Her book will help you embrace happiness and master your negativity. Our world is in the midst of a meltdown. Dr. Orloff describes ways to stay intuitively and spiritually centered in our times.

As an HSP herself, her book is a tribute to those who are highly sensitive and offers many strategies to stay grounded and protected in an overwhelming world.

From Publisher's Weekly:
"Orloff (Second Sight) offers a superbly written series of psychological strategies for maximizing positive emotions and minimizing toxic ones. A practicing psychiatrist, the author straddles the worlds of mainstream medicine and alternative healing; she regards emotions as a training ground for the soul, and views every victory over fear, anxiety, and resentment as a way to develop your spiritual muscles. As the self is the foundation for emotional freedom, the author discusses how readers can find their emotional type-intellectual, empathic, rock or gusher-and suggests how to find balance. Her tips include avoiding emotional vampires or consulting dreams, which she divides into three types: psychological (where fears and neuroses express themselves), predictive and guidance.

The second half of the book tackles the most difficult life challenges: depression, loneliness, anxiety, frustration, rejection, grief, envy and bitterness. Orloff addresses each fully and frankly, using anecdotes from her own life and practice -- the death of her mother, her own crippling envy. This insightful and positive book will assist anyone who is suffering in mapping a path out of pain."

You can purchase Emotional Freedom from a variety of sources, including AMAZON, Barnes & Noble, and Borders. To thank you for interest, Dr. Orloff has selected some special gifts, such as video & audio downloads, that you'll receive when you buy the book. Act now, and be sure to take advantage of the special offer.

Thanks to all of you who have been sending comments about the newsletter. As always, we welcome your feedback, and please tell others about us!

Warmest Regards,

Cliff Harwin
The Highly Sensitive Person Publishing Company