Just recently we had a gentlman pass who had been a partime employee for years, from heart troubles.

He was a very family oriented, ex-marine, devout Christian.

They had is wake the other day, I did not go.

They had the funeral, I did not go.

Not because I didn't respect him, I just can't handle one more trip to that funeral home. Would have been my third one at the same place, in 6 months!

Being a sensitive, and empath if you will, has it's draw backs in such emotionally charged places.

Not only for the one you are attending, but al the residual that sticks around for a long time.

Anyway, back to the story.

His family made a memory book. Each family member, starting with Art, his wife of 59 years, and hearing the personal, emotion laden story, thru all of his close family. From the oldest to the youngest.

I wasn't going to read it, but I felt I needed to.

I knew in dropping my sheilds, baring my Self, I was in for one helluva ride!

So full of pain, of loss, of pride, of emptiness....................of love, pure full blown, L O V E. A Divine love. The love of family, of courage, of God.

Now while I do not believe in their God, that doesn't matter. For it is the Essence, the Divine, the All, of the same thing. It is their God and that is all that matters, so I feel their version of God, and it is wonderful, pure, Divine. It is my Divine.

My eyes filled with tears, not only of the loss, but of the love. My heart chakra was about to burst. I couldn't breathe. It was too much. I forget how intense it gets not having sheilds up, 24/7, 365.

So in that one hour I can now say it was 23/7. Now for 22/7, 21/7.......................

then again...........................maybe not.

Novia

Great topic Novia. I too, am a sensitive/Lightworker. Basically; I feel for a living!

A year ago, I went to a funeral for my sister's aunt in law, if you will..............I knew the aunt and family very well and was overcome with emotion. Not so much because of my own grief, but because I felt everyone else in the room's grief. Having a spiritual knowledge of some sort, I know those who pass on are fine..................I cry for those left behind, consumed by grief and despair. I cry for those who may be angry at "God" or whomever they choose to call her/him.

Recently, my neice had to put her 15 yr old mini schnauzer down because of old age.................my neice, who is 18 was devastated, and so was I. I felt her despair, her anger, her hurt and fear. I cried at home by myself as if I had lost my best friend. I am so in tune with my niece, I very much feel her energy and feelings most of the time anyway.

Being a sensitive, sometimes we have to stay away to protect ourselves, but for me, there is nothing like feeling even the grief of people who love so dearly when one has passed.

Just my 2 cents................

Love and Light

Feelings, be they love, hurt anger or pain, on such a deep level, for the most part are best avoided - particularly if there is no real need for it, and no real assistance that we can give by us experiencing it.

But... feelings on such a deep level remind us of just how deep we are capable of feeling, that our very soul can be wrenched around through this process. It does us good occaionally, and keeps us in touch with who we really are. It does us good to drop our protection every once in a while and feel on this level...

Blessings

Being an empath certainly has its drawbacks...for me having my shields up means I am pretty much "not feeling" alot and that in itself sometimes makes me wonder if I am insensitive...but all I have to do is let them down for a short time and I am a rolling mass of energy and so totally exhausted that I remember why I had those shields up to begin with. I work on balancing it all...so I am not overly sensitive but not "cold" either...love what you all have shared here!!!

Being an "Empath" or just having some "Empathic abilities" has positive sides and negative sides. On the good side it enables you to "listen and hear" what is being said. Often you are told "how well you listen" or "understand", or people or animals feel comfortable with you. It is a great gift. It gives comfort to others, peace, feelings of well being, and of safety.
Also it is a gift with two sharp edges.
The second edge hurts, you feel to much. Even with hardened sheilds in place the intensity and situation overwhelms you. You can't always withdraw, you just have to take it and hope it helps the other person. Then you have to deal with the leftovers. Sometimes well, sometimes not so well.
I wish I was better at expressing myself, sorry I did so poorly but will keep attempting to.

Blessings

I drank for 12 years trying to run from my empathic abilities............even when I feel "too much"................I wouldn't trade it for anything. Am I the only one that feels there is no sharp edges when it comes to this ability?

I suppose using "sharp edges" was not the right way to state that. And I absolutely agree it is a wonderful gift. I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's just in some exceptional situations you get more than you expect, especially when you aren't expecting anything. I better sit back and listen to you folks with more wisdom and knowledge than myself.

Blessing to all
Jim

Sundown,

I think you are full of wisdom. Please don't just listen...keep sharing!

MP

newage

oh I agree it has sharp edges sometimes...has soft fuzzy ones too...and everything in between...at least now I know when it is not me but the outside world...I seriously used to think maybe I was crazy...

There is no doubt it is a double edge sword.

It has it's positive side, as well as it's negative side.

While one aspect may not injure you, the other can cut thru you like a hot knife thru room temperature butter.

There are times I wouldn't trade it for anything, and others I'd trade it for anything anyone offered me for it.

Please, keep sharing Sundown.

We all have different takes on all of this stuff, adn it helps to get others take on it to help us to beter understand opurselves, not only our 'gifts' (still would have rather had the damn coffemaker!)

Alchemy, You are not the only nut in the house! LOL I even started me a blog, lol, Novia's Nuthouse, and I'm the first official patient/resident! lol

Novia, nutcase extraordinaire!

[quote="Novia"]
We all have different takes on all of this stuff, adn it helps to get others take on it to help us to beter understand opurselves, not only our 'gifts' (still would have rather had the damn coffemaker!)
[/quote]

LOL, you are so right!!!! I love that. I even checked the box for the coffee maker and still got the damn empathy instead!!!!!

BB
Newage

How many of you picked on each others posts that cause you to tear up, to feel that lose, that pain. I did just readings this. Don't get me wrong I love to feel others joy and happiness, but when Newagehippi stated about the loss of a beloved pet and it was not even her own, I chocked up. I handle the loss of people better then that of animals. But then again I'm a bit emotional today. Have to watch what I read.

[quote="Indeshadows"]How many of you picked on each others posts that cause you to tear up, to feel that lose, that pain. I did just readings this. Don't get me wrong I love to feel others joy and happiness, but when Newagehippi stated about the loss of a beloved pet and it was not even her own, I chocked up. I handle the loss of people better then that of animals. But then again I'm a bit emotional today. Have to watch what I read. [/quote]


I honestly think what you describe is normal. We care! I get chocked up quite a bit when I read certain posts. Also, I think most of us (I know I should only speak for myself, but what the hell!LOL) find the loss of an animal much more upsetting than that of an adult human. Maybe because animals are in some sense, unable to protect themselves or that they are so unconditional with their feelings (Good or bad). I have such a strong connection to animals, even if they are not my own...my family thinks I am just dramatic. How many times has any of you ever been called that before??? I am guessing alot. LOL
Blessings
Newage

[quote="newagehippie71"]

I think you are full of wisdom. Please don't just listen...keep sharing!

MP

newage[/quote]

Wisdom? Thats not a word usually associated with me. Those I work with have quite an assortment of names for me .
Even at my age I will probably cry more for a pet than a people! However my pets are people to me.
I hear so much here that sounds so familiar,
Crazy, fits me well. Positive and negative sides of empathy. Empathy for all things, human, animal, even inanimate. And yes I need a new coffee pot also!
Untill last fall I never knew what really being blown away by intense emotion from every direction was. At times it was a wonderful help with the task at hand. Sometimes you just wanted it to stop. I did learn much about improving my personal shields, even if it made me seem cold and distant. But you can't hold that up very long. You touch their hand, you look into their eyes, and you wish you could do more. That is the book I will never write. And I will do better next time.
Also newage I am or was or is a oldage hippie LOL
Thank you all
Blessings from Grandfather Oak and me.

I too an am empath and have been all my 30 years lols..
When I was young, i always felt sorry for both animate and inanimate things. So sorry sometimes that I found myself doing very strange things (e.g. wrapping chairs etc up cause I felt they were cold etc)
It wasn't til I started discovering myself on a spiritual level that i actually have a form of empathy. As there are so many forms of empathy, I fall under the category of a 'Seer'. I have been using my abilities with Tarot as my tool for nearly 8 years and feel I have only touched the surface. To be honest and I hate to brag, but, I never really had any dramas in tuning these feelings on and off. The only problem I had was sorting through living feelings (normal everyday experiences) and sorting through feelings that may be signs of some sort. I think alot of people delve into it too much in my own opinion and accepting your ability is what enables you to balance everything out. By just being aware and taking notice, anyone can control their gifts, no matter what they may be. Prayer works wonders also, so if you pray (there is no right or wrong way to do so either), then it is my belief that you will always be protected by the other side.
It's a matter of accepting what is attractive to you. I am drawn to crystals, tarots and angels and yet you may be attracted to spells, potions and herbs. To each their own. Finding balance comes from when you find and trust your life and your abilities in my opinion. Knowing things happen for a reason and following your gut instincts is a sure fire way of starting you spiritual journey.
Thanks for listening to me rattle. I know it is easier said than done and I only base this opinion on my own experience.
Love and Friendship xx
Asi xx