Mid-November 2025 Newsletter

Hello, and a miraculous noble Mid-November to you!
Welcome, or welcome back, to my newsletter. Today's issue is about how sensitivity can show up in the body. Enjoy!

Many of my friends, and me too, have been accused over our lifetimes of being "too sensitive", as if that's a dire defect. Maybe the accuser was being too harsh, trying to avoid responsibility for their actions or words, and anyone would have taken offense. Sensitivity is a strength in my mind, not a problem, which is a different topic. What I want to discuss here is how sensitivity can show up in the body. This usually happens when we're avoiding our feelings of being hurt, pretending we're "fine", then stuffing the experience away so we don't have to think about it any longer.

Often we think we've moved past some painful event, telling ourselves it was such a long time ago. Then a school reunion, or a chance encounter with someone we haven't seen in decades, or the death of someone which leaves past conflicts unresolved, brings all the memories flooding back. The associated sensations of powerlessness or betrayal come back too, and we're in it again. Or maybe a health scare comes "out of the blue" and we suddenly have to face dealing with that.

As these first two images illustrate, when I'm overwhelmed with too much stimuli or a task that's too much for me, my brain and eyes often keep trying, more and more, to the point of physical head or eye pain. Proceeding more slowly, at a more relaxed pace and taking occasional breaks, took a long time to learn. What are your signals of overload? Digestive turmoil is a common one, as is back pain, or spacing out and going into a mental fog. The body and mind will get your attention however they can when you aren't hearing an important message. This is not punishment, it's your intuitive antenna speaking to you.

A few days ago I needed to drive to a car appointment about an hour away, over a busy 3-lane highway with many big trucks and SUVs, then a long stretch though crowded city streets with thick traffic and stoplights every few blocks. Driving is one of my main visual stressors, when I'm constantly reminding myself to breathe slowly and deeply, and to make sure I'm blinking and easily shifting my gaze around. This drive was worse than I expected, since after days of clear weather, the day of the appointment was dark and foggy with heavy rain. Yes I did consider cancelling, then decided I was being a wimp and would view it as good vision practice.

Even though I knew the route well, visibility was terrible and the drive was challenging. Then I had to wait over 2 hours "trapped" (how I felt) waiting for the work to be done before I could drive home. Afterwards, I was pleased the task was behind me, but not happy I had let myself get so anxious about it. I did some extended palming to rest and thank my hardworking vision, then spent the remainder of the day doing things I enjoyed, with no time pressure. I function much better when I can take the time I need and go at a comfortable pace. If a similar driving situation comes up again, I've decided I can always stop during the trip and rest my eyes and brain for a bit before continuing.

Dr. Bates said every challenging visual situation is wonderful vision practice, with the caveat that you stay relaxed. Rather than avoid stressful driving situations, I plan to deal with them in a calmer manner. My sensitive visual brain needs to be pressured less, then it can rise to the occasion and function in a capable productive manner. I can show up (instead of hiding), let the environment see me, then look clearly and peacefully, as long as I remember to support my sensitivity. Are there simple changes you can make to better support, and to appreciate, yours?

For more about exploring my sensitivity, click here.

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Please send me your questions and comments
Let me know what you've wondered about concerning energy medicine or vision or dreams. I'll be glad to write a short article addressing that topic. Thank you to those who have sent me questions, or see a question you asked me in a private session written about here. You're helping many other people! Enjoy the second half of this nimble month of November. I'll write again in a few weeks. Take care!