sen·si·tive adj. Capable of perceiving with a sense or senses.
Responsive to external conditions or stimulation. Susceptible to the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others.
n. A sensitive person. One held to be endowed with psychic or occult powers.

I was told by someone whose opinion I usually put great credence in, that I am ruled too much by my feelings. I freely allow my environs to affect me. If there is someone with a problem or in pain, I have a visceral need to ease their distress. The past two weeks, I tried to stop feeling. There was so much distress from so many sources that I strove to become numb, to disdain my reflex reactions.

I learned that becoming numb means ignoring the real, and embracing denial. I couldn't remove myself from experiencing life, no matter how much pain I felt. It would be tantamount to suicide.

I know I can't fix everything, but I can't stop trying to soothe the ails around me. So I am once again allowing myself to submerge into the emotional tides - this time, armed with a plan. If the pressure in the depths threatens to crush me, I will not crumple; I will simply strive to become a diamond.