New HSP Related Books: Elaine Aron, Ted Zeff

There are a couple of new books out, that are important to HSPs.

The first is Elaine Aron's new book "The Undervalued Self." This is not a book about being an HSP, but it is still very useful for HSPs. This book has been ten years in the making; I first heard Dr. Aron present some of the material covered, at an HSP Gathering in California, in 2003.

The core of the book is about helping us understand how we tend to "rank ourselves too low" in the world, typically as a result of negative experiences that happen, as a result of living normal life. This could be anything from having been bullied as a kid, to the effect of a series of failed relationships. What makes it particularly relevant for HSPs is that we tend to internalize and deeply process what happens to us, and then draw unrealistically negative conclusions about what happened.

In addition to illustrating how we undervalue ourselves, and how we use "self-protections" to keep ourselves in a place of low rank, "The Undervalued Self" also is an interactive workbook to help people find healing for the wounds that have kept them trapped. Although very readable, the book can be "heavy going" if you have a lot of wounds in your past and make the commitment to doing the suggested exercises and journaling.

Click on the image below to have a closer look at "The Undervalued Self":



Meanwhile, HSP author Ted Zeff writes about a part of the HSP experience that has long needed further examination: the male HSP.

Although written primarily about male children, "The Strong Sensitive Boy," is also highly recommended reading for adult highly sensitive men, if for no other reason than to find a retrospective sense of recognition and validation of their feelings as children. It is definitely a "must read" for parents of highly sensitive boys.

The book is both explanatory-- outlining the nature of, and issues facing, sensitive boys-- as well as full of useful guidance for parents to help them help their sensitive sons successfully negotiate the conventional "boys club" structure traditionally associated with becoming men. Different chapters cover such things as school, friends, sports, self-esteem, being a teenager, and more.

Click on the following link to have a closer look at "The Strong Sensitive Boy:"



Remember: When you're an HSP, educating yourself about your trait is essential. This is not a "pathology," it is an inborn neurological trait. Because there is nothing to be "cured," it becomes doubly important to understand yourself, so you can make the most of your life, as you are.

Tribe Magazine and Community for HSPs

The HSP Community now has its own magazine!

If you aren't already familiar with it, "Tribe" is a new magazine (in print, and online) created by HSPs, for and about HSPs covering a wide range of HSP-related topics. It's a beautiful and relevant magazine for HSPs; the second issue is currently in production.

The fact that there is now an "all HSP" magazine is testament to how far awareness of high sensitivity has grown, since Elaine Aron published her first book in 1996.

In addition to being a magazine, Tribe also an online community for HSPs. The web site's forums serve in part as a place for HSPs to connect with their peers, as well as a place where HSPs can submit their creative writing, poetry, articles and photography to be considered for publication in the magazine.

This first link is to the Tribe Magazine forums-- it's growing online community of friendly and welcoming HSPs. You will have to register in order to participate in discussions-- but that's quick and easy!

http://tribe.paramimedia.com/community/index.php

And here's a link to the main magazine web site. Here you can find information about Tribe, links to the online edition, and a place to order the printed edition. Personally, I recommend the paper version-- it's a really nice magazine!

http://tribe.paramimedia.com/