A large part of an HSP Gathering revolves around the so-called "Breakout Sessions," which are basically types of workshops or workgroups that focus on various topics related to "HSP Life." Friday and Saturday had sessions scheduled pretty continuously from immediately after breakfast till after dinner, with a couple more scheduled for Sunday before noon.
The sessions are, of course, completely voluntary-- and although some people chose to attend only a few, it struck me that most people tried to be involved in as many as possible, maybe sharing my own feeling of "not wanting to miss anything."
A few "administrative notes" are in order before I go on, mostly for the benefit of those who have NOT been to an HSP Gathering. The driving force behind the HSP Gatherings is Jacquelyn Strickland,not Elaine Aron. Jacquelyn is an HSP, counselor, coach, and principal of LifeWorks! in Fort Collins, CO. The Breakout Sessions were led by a number of individuals, presenting material relevant and useful to HSPs, using a variety of resources. Where appropriate, I have included links to related web sites-- and I encourage you to visit them, and support other HSPs!
Friday morning: "Yikes! Work!" with Jacquelyn Strickland. A workshop about HSPs and work, exploring some of the obstacles and challenges facing HSPs at work, as well as ideas to help HSPs find their "calling." Drawing on the work of Dr. Barrie Jaeger, whose book "Making Work Work for Highly Sensitive People," will be published in September 2003.
Friday late morning: "Mattering and Marginality" with Jacquelyn Strickland. A workshop exploring the way many HSPs may feel "Marginalized," and subsequently disconnected from the world, with tips and exercises on how reconnect by finding ways to "Matter."
Friday afternoon: "Relationships that Work: The HSP/HSP couple" with Beila Krow and Nick Rodin. A small and highly interactive workshop about HSPs and the special issues that face them in relationship settings. Beila-- a marriage and family therapist-- and Nick are both HSPs and have been married for 15 years.
Friday evening: "Sensitive Men-- an open dialogue discussion," self directed. The HS men at the Gathering discussed the issues facing HSM in modern society; after talking among ourselves, a number of the men took part in a separate Q&A session with the women.
By the end of the "Relationships" session, my brain is overloaded with information, and I realize that I need to take a break and have some "recharge time." First, I spend an hour writing in my journal, "emptying" the contents of my brain onto the pages-- this ability is perhaps one of the reasons I find writing to be so cathartic.
Once done with my writing, I have over two hours left till dinner-- so I wander around among the buildings of the ranch, just letting my feet take me wherever they want to.
And then something extraordinary happens-- where my usual reaction to overstimulation (as I have experienced these past six hours) is to seek solitude, I find that I am walking around looking for other HSPs to be with. In retrospect, I realize that this completely flies in the face of the notion that only extraverts "gain energy" from people-- I have discovered that I am actually energized by this particular group of people!
As I wander around, I do find other HSPs not "in session," and they seem equally eager to talk. It is almost as if we are trying to "soak up" the mere experience of being "among our own kind." Somewhere deep inside, I also realize that I would have a lot more friends if "people" were like the many gentle spirits who surround me.
We talk-- about this and that-- until dinner. Here I realize something else: Everybody spends time with everybody else-- it's not "the same people together" at each meal. Unlike meetings and conventions I have been to in the past, it appears that there are no "cliques" forming here.
Dinner turns out to be shorter than expected, when one of my new friends says she's going for a hike-- and on the spur of the moment, I decide to join her. As we make our way up to the water tanks, a short hike up the hillside, I realize that the Gathering is also helping me "reconnect" with nature-- which has always been the greatest "healer" in my life. My feeling for earlier is reinforced: Although nature has always been a place for "solitude," for me," I unexpectedly find myself really content to be in nature with someone.
After the hike, followed by the "Sensitive Men" session, followed by the Q&A session, there is one final treat in store for us. A small group of the last few people at the workroom go on a spur-of-the-moment "moonlight walk." And is the moon ever cooperating! We enjoy a walk on a perfectly clear night with bright full moonlight; not only is it beautiful out, but we also feel a growing sense of fellowship and bonding with each other.
Although it has been a long day, a few of us remain up late, on the Buckeye Lodge common room-- talking (what we think to be) quietly, until Jacquelyn reminds us that the lodging areas are designated "HSP quiet" zones. And since we have a long day tomorrow, we head for bed.
