It’s difficult to explain a "group" of HSPs to someone who has never been part of one, other than to say that HSPs are “psychically quiet” to such a degree that sitting in a room with 30 others creates less “psychic disturbance” than sitting in a room with just three people who have “noisy energy.”
The second thing that makes the HSP group experience somewhat unique can best be described as "acceptance." As HSPs, we often lament that “nobody gets us,” and we feel like our sensitivity is invalidated and marginalized. However, nobody “gets” an HSP-- on a deep level-- except a fellow HSP, and HSPs go to great lengths to make those around them feel included. The petty bickering we so often experience in our daily lives seems to fall away, to be replaced by a warm feeling that "I'm OK" while in this particular group of people. For many, it is the first time to have such a feeling... and I look forward to feeling it, again.
Novato, CA, Wednesday June 13th, 9:00pm
Well, here I am, in my motel room at the Days Inn in Novato. I can’t say I thought much of the drive from Oakland airport to Novato, in rush-hour traffic. That said, I did manage to get here with only one wrong turn-- which happened immediately upon leaving the airport from the car rental place. It occurred to me that I have never been a passenger in a car, driving around the Bay Area, so I have only ever seen San Francisco and environs while paying attention to traffic. Or while walking. Maybe some other time…
It is quite warm here; the people at the front desk said it was in the 90’s (30C+) during the afternoon. Fortunately, the room is air conditioned.
The climate at Walker Creek Ranch is interesting. It can be quite cold at night (around 50/10C), but can warm up to near 90 (30C) by early afternoon. However, a sea breeze typically starts up and might even bring fog in the late afternoon, and the temperature will drop back to 70 (18C) or lower. Thus, packing appropriate clothing for several climates is very important.
Novato, Thursday June 14th, 9:30am
The hotel was clean and comfortable, as chain motels go. It’s warmer here than I remember, so I had to run the air conditioner to get comfortable. Or maybe it’s just that I now live in the cool wet Northwest, rather than hot and sticky Texas, that caused me to notice the 85-odd degrees. I am less bothered by the noise of room air conditioners, than by the mold and mildew that resides deep inside them. Most people would say I’m full of stuff and nonsense, but this morning my throat is a bit "thick." It reminds me how there are different kinds of HSPs, and how “physical sensitivities” in many ways are my primary issue.
I am very glad that I chose to fly out here a day early, because I feel quite rested and energetic, and not at all like I had to rush to get here by some deadline. Yesterday I spent almost 10 hours “on the road.”
And so, today the HSP Gathering begins. “Officially” it starts at 3:00pm; for me it starts around 11:00am, since I have volunteered to help with set-up and registration.
On my way in, I will be making a pit stop at the local Apple Market for a few essentials that generally aren’t readily available (at least not “on demand”) at Walker Creek Ranch. I know the lodges do have guest refrigerators and coffee makers, so I’ll be getting supplies for coffee, as well as some drinks and fruit to stash away. Yes, everything food-wise is supplied to us, and the kitchen is excellent and eager to accommodate all special needs diets. However, I am an early riser, and I like my ritual (often around 6:00am) of coffee before going for a walk… and there’s nobody in the ranch kitchen till 7:00. Again, another way to “take care of my needs,” without getting in anyone's way, or making demands of people. If you are reading this as someone thinking about going to a Gathering for the first time, remember that it is OK to do something special to take care of yourself!
Walker Creek Ranch is an ideal setting for an HSP Gathering. Although just 50 miles from San Francisco, it is-- quite literally-- "out in the middle of nowhere." The ranch has about 1700 acres of land, and there are many hiking trails, from "easy" to "strenuous," so I made sure to pack some comfortable walking shoes. It is a "working" ranch, with sheep, goats and an organic garden where some of the food we will be served has been grown. Cell phones don't work here, which is just fine by me-- when I am on a retreat, I have little desire to remain "in touch" with the outside world.
And now, I must get going! I am really looking forward to being with my "tribe" again.
