3rd of an 11 part series

Around my circles I’m usually pegged as the relational guy. My Myers-Briggs pegs me as an ENFP. My Insights Discovery says I’m very yellow, the color symbolizing a relational orientation. Because of my concern for the relationships around me people assume that I’m sensitive to others. The reality is that sensitivity does not come naturally to me. The reality is that I can be the biggest butthead if I let it go unchecked.

Being aware of how what I say and do affects the people around me is a discipline. Just because I may give thought to my words and actions more than some doesn’t mean I’m better at it.

I made a commitment at the beginning of this year to do more than just think about it. Looking back on these first two months of 2013 I can think of several occasions when I failed at my commitment, the most recent just this morning with my kids.

Maybe that’s the real point of sensitivity. I’m not going to get it right every time. There will be moments when I will hurt feelings, say something stupid or act in a way that leaves others wondering what the heck I’m thinking. How I respond when I realize what I’ve done is where sensitivity really kicks in. When I realize that I was wrong, how quick am I to make amends?

Think about that. I have to text my kids to say, “I’m sorry.”