I interviewed a retired woman in NYC on 7/24/15. I did artwork and wrote a poem about my experience on 10/20/15.
Do you think it’s a strength or a weakness to be sensitive?
I definitely view it as a strength.
It does not always feel like a strength.
It did not always feel like a strength to me.
But in time I realized that it was the way I felt the most alive was that the more vulnerable and open I was, the more alive I felt. I tried doing the opposite and I felt very strong being very hard, but I did not feel happy. I did not feel alive so to me there’s no option.
It’s that I have to move in that direction and I have to learn how to feel comfortable with those feelings because I do not think it is natural or innate to be comfortable to feel vulnerable but it is something that you can learn how to do.
My poem:
Magical eyes soft and warm.
I can see the flow of the river in your face saturated with your life’s journey. Sensitivity and wisdom that deepens your soul and touches all that surrounds you.
I wrote this poem because attempting to draw these immensely warm beautiful eyes did not do them justice. The process of meditating with the colored pencils on the paper and focusing on my creative process helped me to gather together my words for the poem. Sometimes we set out to accomplish one thing that leads to another. As long as we are open to let the river flow where it wants, there are no mistakes, no failures only more openings to follow.
sensitive strength 
Dear Bonnie, Reading your blog I became deeply aware of your caring, your concern, your creativity. You allow yourself to be vulnerable in order to reach out, and to create a way for people to contact and express their vulnerability. The combination of seeing the photograph you took of the woman you interviewed, and her comments, with your drawing of her, and your poem about her, really opened up the strength of vulnerability.
Thank you for reading my blog with a full heart.
I think the comments by the woman who allowed herself to be interviewed are truly sensitive. I appreciate that she allowed herself to be vulnerable, she shared her feelings, and that showed strength. Bonnie’s poem is charming.
Thank you. Yes, she showed “sensitive strength”.
What a great concept Bonnie. I love seeing the photos and the art work you are sharing. Your gift in underscoring the power of sensitivity and allowing our vulnerability comes through. It’s touching to see your creativity in this process and how you are turning decades of work as a psychotherapist into a creative form that honors the tenderness of our human hearts. Thank you! Adele