Sensitivity to one another is a quality that can be applied only to human persons; to my knowledge, there is no animal or plant which shows a quality of sensitivity to their kith and kin. We are able to measure the atmospheric pressure, the movement of the planets, the stirrings of the ocean waves and their currents and predict what is to happen. Weather forecast has become withered forecast, with most of the predictions not coming true. You might expect a heavy shower when the Metereological office predicts shine, and you might expect a dry weather, when the Met forecast rain. But there is some truth in what the forecasts project.
I wish we have discovered a machine which would read the mind of other persons, and give signals to our mind to respond accordingly. For instance, if my mind forecasts that my neighbor is angry, then I would know I should not add fuel to the fire. In fact, our bodies give enough and more signals to others about the mental, physical and psychological state we are in, but there are not too many people who are capable of reading these signs and respond accordingly. If only we have mastered the art of reading the signs of our bodies, both mine and others, then half the problems, misunderstanding and conflicts can be avoided.
Sensitivity basically relates to the situation when I read what the other person is going through, and responding in such a way that there is no barrier in communication. This is possible only with human persons, because to observe, evaluate and make a judgement on the basis of the observation and evaluation is not something that is possible with other animals and plants. Lack of sensitivity is an everyday reality with most of us, especially when we live in a community or a family. Women are proverbially known for their sensitivity, responding to the situations appropriately. But can men be left far behind?
We may hurt the very people we may love so dearly, but being blind to their situation, both known and unknown, may pain the person only more and more. We may often hear our dear one's sigh: but how could you be so insensitive? Insensitivity indirectly implies that I do not or cannot give my whole hearted attention to the person I am attending to. My mind may be distracted, or my attention divided, or I may be preoccupied with a hundred and one things. No wonder then we are less sensitive towards the people we care less, and are often overly sensitive towards the people who matter.
Having known the past history of a friend, I should have been careful not to poke into the wounds of the past; but when I do it, both consciously and unconsciously, the person does not protest, and it had taken me quite a while to realize that I was touching a sensitive nerve of the person. If this situation were to continue, there may come a time, when that person would only try to avoid being open and transparent with me, and even reduce being in touch with me, for fear that I might inadvertently poke into the past wounds. It is possible for me to be open to the numerous verbal and non-verbal communication through which I am forewarned, and it is for me to be forearmed, so that I do not stab into old wounds!
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