Cliff's
Blog Radio Interview
![[Cliff's Pic]](http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs070/1102126619665/img/28.gif?a=1103680949864)
Cliff will be interviewed by Elizabeth Ann
Bakke on the BlogTalkRadio
Podcast.
AIR DATE: Friday,
September 17, 2010
2:00 PM
EST
1:00 PM CST
TOPIC:
Are you making the best use of your natural HSP character traits?
Are you utilizing the best out of what you've got? If not, why not?
Here's an opportunity to pose your thoughts and questions about this
topic to Cliff.
CALL-IN
NUMBER:
(347) 857-4311
WHERE:You can listen to the interview live
or
on demand at the blogtalkradio web
site. |
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over
and expecting different results."
~ Rita Mae Brown
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Making Sense of Your High
Sensitivity
In my book, I reflect upon my life and provide a unique perspective
on the lessons I have learned as a highly sensitive person.
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BARBARA SHER'S WORKSHOP
WHAT: Barbara Sher's Big Cheap Week-end Workshop in NYC
WHEN: Friday, 11/19 at 6 PM
to Sunday,
11/21 at 1:30 PM
WHERE:
West 34th Street & 7th Avenue
New York City
COST: $325
TOPICS COVERED:
How to discover what you really want when you think you don't know.
How to melt that mysterious resistance that stops you from going after your dreams so you can finally say goodbye to being stuck.
What you should do when you want to do everything.
How to do what you love without starving to death.
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Dear ,
 I can't believe that autumn is already here. As a kid, I would always get a little sad this time of year. The start of fall meant that the summer was over, I had to go back to school, and cold weather was right around the corner.
Fortunately, my perspective has changed. I now realize that changes in seasons mark important passages, just like the many transitions we have throughout our lives. It is our attitude that determines whether we see these transitions as positive or negative.
This year, I am choosing to enjoy the fall weather and to appreciate the beautiful foliage that will soon be here. I look forward to the many fun activities that the season brings.
How do you react to change? Can you use an attitude adjustment? It's never too late to shift to a positive perspective.
Blog Radio Interview
On 9/17, I will be on BlogTalkRadio. The topic is Are you making the best use of your natural HSP character traits? If you would like to join the discussion, please call in during the program. See the sidebar for details.
For a listing of all my blog radio shows, you can link to all my appearances on the program, past and present. You can also access the audio archive on my website, which includes both the radio programs and my teleconferences.
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Cliff's Wellness Update
I had some ups and downs this month. That's life, I guess. I had to curtail my exercise regimen because of physical problems. The "old me" would've been discouraged. The "new me" is more accepting of the situation.
I'm listening to what my body is telling me and not pushing myself beyond my physical limits. As challenges arise, I do my best to stay grounded and deal with the issues. Happily, I'm doing better. I want to thank everyone for their well wishes.
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Help Has Arrived!
One of the reasons that my personal outlook is changing (a.k.a. the "new me") is because I have been working to alter my core belief system. To do this, I've been consulting with Jenna Forrest, a fellow HSP, friend, colleague, author, and life coach for highly sensitive people.
Through a series of coaching sessions, Jenna has been helping me to get rid of my limiting beliefs and replace them with more positive ones. One of the goals of her coaching is to teach clients how to use difficult periods in their lives to heal, grow, and transform in accord with the natural cycles of change. I can't speak highly enough of her work.
As bonus, Jenna has generously offered subscribers of this newsletter a free download of the first 15 chapters of her book, Help Is On Its Way, a memoir about growing up sensitive.
(When you click the download link above, the file may download to a browser window. Simply save the file to your computer either by clicking on the SAVE icon, which looks like a floppy disk, or by saving directly from your browser's menu.)
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Are We Doing Our Best?
 I get extremely frustrated when I'm not maximizing my talents and
abilities or when I'm not working at peak efficiency.
In a similar vein, I get upset when others aren't giving their best. I bristle when I receive poor
service or a lackluster response from a person who is being paid to help
me. I get angry when I hear
about the latest scandal or blunder that our political leaders have
committed. I get even angrier when I realize that I, and all the other
taxpayers, will pay for their mistakes. I get distressed when I look at the
current economic state of the world.
Highly sensitive people can easily get caught up in outer circumstances. This is because we are conscientious, have a strong sense of justice and fairness, and a tendency to think about things on a deep level. For us, it can be extremely difficult to remain at peace when things aren't as we think they should be. We may be tempted to lash out or blame others for our unhappiness or for the problems of the world.
One of the most important things we can do to combat this anger, frustration, and anxiety is to focus our energies on things that we can control. While this may seem like common sense, HSPs often have knee-jerk reactions to the doom and gloom of everyday life. We don't always stop and consider what is actually within the scope of our control.
If you're not happy with your life circumstances, why not channel your energy toward something that you can change, like your own behavior? What can you do to alter your perspective or to change yourself? Are there specific steps you could take that would make you happier? As you move forward, be sure to reward yourself for doing something well. This will increase your self-esteem and motivate you to keep going.
If you're not happy with the government, why not exercise your right and privilege to vote? Approximately 30% of registered voters actually vote. After casting your ballot for the people you feel can best serve your interests, release your concerns and take satisfaction in knowing that you have done all you can.
 If you're not happy with the service industry, why not go out of your way to compliment the person who does give the extra effort? Do this in front of others if possible, and tell a manager about it. In many cases, service people just need a little bit of appreciation. Not only will that person feel great, but you'll have a sense of well-being too. You'll also be increasing the likelihood that others will receive great service as well. When we reward outstanding behavior, we perpetuate it.
It's important to remember that you are not powerless. You ARE powerful when you take the time to evaluate your circumstances and are realistic about the impact you can make on the world. If you want to elicit change, you must act from within your sphere of influence. Instead of trying to control external events or the behavior of other people, focus on your own behavior, become a positive role model, and shift to a more optimistic perspective.
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To Change Or Not to Change?
 Change is one of the few things in life that is absolutely guaranteed, yet most people are unprepared or unwilling to cope with it.
Change is a difficult process because it involves letting go of an old situation, be it good or bad. It's human nature to have anxiety whenever we experience loss or have something new in our lives. As we move out of our comfort zone, the future becomes uncertain, and our angst intensifies.
Often viewed in a negative context, change can take a toll on us physically and emotionally. Simply put, it can make us sick and depressed, a state that isn't conducive for making positive choices.
Change is usually accompanied by feelings of unease and restlessness, which can lead to healthy or unhealthy reactions. A healthy reaction motivates you to do the things necessary to get what you want. An unhealthy reaction paralyzes you and keeps you from moving forward.
Resistance to change is very common and often appears when you are firmly entrenched within your current circumstances. If your life is working somewhat, it can be very difficult to imagine an alternative way of doing things. It's easy to make excuses to avoid change. I'm too busy. I have to make a living. I have personal and family obligations. I don't have time to think about and deal with change.
 If you want to better understand your relationship to change, it can be helpful to examine your prior experience with it. How have the major changes in your life come about? Do you tend to initiate change, or do your circumstances usually force you into it? Armed with that knowledge, you can chart a better path for coping with life's transitions.
Keep in mind that it's never too late to change. You can always make adjustments to get to the kind of future you want. You can start by incorporating some small action into your life that will move you closer to your goals, no matter how insignificant it might seem. This process can be done gradually and evolve over time. It's not necessary to quit your job or put your entire life on hold in order to make a change.
It's important to look at the process of change in a realistic and positive way. Change doesn't have to be something you dread. It is usually just a signal that something in your life needs attention. Change can be exciting and bring new opportunities for growth. Instead of fearing change, learn to expect it, welcome it, and to sometimes even initiate it.
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Please check my website for helpful resources. I have archived my previous newsletters and audio programs. Our online store features products that have been hand selected for their specific benefits to highly sensitive people.
If you have enjoyed this newsletter, my book, Making Sense of Your High Sensitivity, my ebook, Real World Advice Specifically For Highly Sensitive People, the teleconferences, or my products, please spread the word.
Warmest Regards,
Cliff Harwin
The Highly Sensitive Person Publishing Company |
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