What leads us to have thoughts that living from our hearts, to be peaceful, loving individuals, forgiveness means we still have to have that person in our life, or be around them in a way that challenges us? Forgiveness is an inside job. There is no judgment and there is no timeframe. If something is still here when you think of a person, be curious. It is information that matters for you, or it would not still be there.

Sensitive systems have a depth of processing. We take in more, and we need time to process and release it. We are each uniquely, imperfectly perfect. No one else is living in your body, or has lived through your history, or is going through the shifts you are going through because of where you are on the spiral of life. Roughly twenty percent of us are highly sensitive, equal among males and females. Those of us who take in way more stimuli and data can also be the most overwhelmed and the least aware, because we need breathing room to see from a broader perspective.

Curiosity is my guiding force. Why is this happening. Why did that happen. What else is possible. How do we rise up out of that. That is what I love about being a highly sensitive woman. I am more expansive in curiosity and living in the question, instead of being content with an answer. An answer can change. A decision can sound final and still change. The protective mind can create worst-case scenarios, visuals of unpleasantries, and be the loudest inner critic. The possibility voice asks, how else can I see this. How else can I understand this. How else can I approach this.

I often say your body is your number one best friend. It is the only body you are ever, always with. There were probably times in childhood when you felt without a best friend. If we understand that our body is our own truest best friend, we are never without one. The more we understand, love, and accept ourselves, the easier it is to love, understand, and accept others as they are, while still carrying discernment around who and when we want to be around others.

What Arose in This Conversation:

• Forgiveness is an inside job. It does not equate to still having somebody in your life.
• What is still arising is information. Be curious. Do not judge yourself for not being able to forgive that person or yourself.
• You can see that someone may be navigating real difficulties, and that is the best they can do right now, and still choose space and distance.
• Live in the question. Stay connected to curiosity. An answer can change.
• Depth of processing needs breathing room, or we wind tight.

An Invitation to Carry With You: Take a break and breathe love. Notice the support beneath you, under your feet, legs, bottom, back, head. Notice the breath already moving through your nostrils or mouth. If you so choose, rub your hands together, then separate them about a half to an inch apart and notice any electrical impulse, energy, or subtle sensation. Place your hands on your heart. On the inhale, lengthen your spine. On the exhale, release tension in your shoulders. On the inhale, open your chest. On the exhale, release tension in your belly. A long slow exhale out the mouth. Let go whatever you have been carrying.

Walking This Path Together:

• This weekly podcast
• The Rise and Realign letter on Substack
• Fall Equinox Gathering, September 22, the Sensitivity Re-Alignment Spiral
• Explore any of these ways at realignwithmelissa.com

Where the heart leads, the body remembers, and the soul awakens.

Take a break and breathe love. Rise. Reclaim. Remember.

Educational reflection only. This podcast is not therapy or medical care.