For me, the word "sensitive" has never meant weak. As a communications trainer and negotiator, I've spent my career helping people find their voice, but true connection, I've learned, comes from a different kind of strength. As a communications trainer and negotiator, I've come to understand that true sensitivity isn't about being moody or fragile. It's about being deeply caring and present—a powerful tool for navigating our increasingly frenetic lives and fostering genuine human connection.

The Tyranny of the Rush

I observe it everywhere—in my work, in my travels, and in my daily life. The rush. Everyone is moving so fast, chasing something, and often, we don’t even know what it is. This frenetic pace has a hidden cost: we become so focused on the destination that we miss the people beside us. We work endlessly to provide for our families, yet we return home with no energy to truly see or listen to them. This disconnect is a paradox of modern life, and it’s something I believe we all struggle with.

The Listening Game

I often use a simple game to show just how much we miss when we aren’t truly present. I ask people to imagine they are a bus driver and then walk them through a series of stops—people getting on and off. Like most, the mind of my host immediately began calculating the numbers. But the real question, I revealed, had nothing to do with passengers. It was, "What is the color of the bus driver's eyes?"

The answer was in the very first sentence, but she, like almost everyone else, was so focused on the distractions—the numbers—that she missed the obvious. This game is a perfect illustration of how we "listen" today. We are so busy processing superficial data that we fail to hear what is truly being said. True listening is not about multitasking; it is about putting your whole heart and mind into one moment. It’s a practice of mindfulness that allows us to connect deeply with others.

Healing Our Past, Honoring Our Present

But how do we become these attentive listeners? It starts within. We all carry sanskaras, or imprints, from our past. These experiences, whether they bring us joy or pain, create an internal filter through which we perceive the world. I once shared an example of two women who received the same phone call from their husband saying he was working late. The first woman, with a history of infidelity in her past, reacted with suspicion and anger. The second, raised by a hardworking father, responded with gratitude and empathy. The external event was identical; the internal response was not. Our perceptions are shaped by our own history.

My First Step to Change

This is why I believe so strongly in self-healing. To truly be sensitive to life, we must first heal the wounds within ourselves. I’ve found that the best time for this work is early in the morning, right as we wake up, when our subconscious mind is most open.

My first step is simple but powerful. I prepare a positive thought the night before—a truth I want to anchor in my being. Thoughts like, "I am worthy," "I am at peace," or "I trust." I hold this thought as soon as I open my eyes. This small act of conscious creation helps me reinforce my inner strength and prepare myself to face the day not from a place of fear or past pain, but from a foundation of calm and willpower. By building my own inner strength, I can meet any challenge—whether it's a difficult conversation or a personal hardship—with grace.

I believe that this journey of self-healing is the first step toward a more sensitive, connected, and meaningful life.

 
Antonella Ferrari, 
National Coordinator Brahma Kumaris, Italy