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There are certain children who are told they are too…

“There are certain children who are told they are too sensitive, and there are certain adults who believe sensitivity is a problem that can be fixed in the way that crooked teeth can be fixed and made straight. And when these two come together you get a fairytale, a kind of story with hopelessness…” quote by Lynda Barry
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““There are certain children who are told they are too sensitive, and there are certain adults who believe sensitivity is a problem that can be fixed in the way that crooked teeth can be fixed and made straight. And when these two come together you get a fairytale, a kind of story with hopelessness in it. I believe there is something in these old stories that does what singing does to words. They have transformational capabilities, in the way melody can transform mood. They can't transform your actual situation, but they can transform your experience of it. We don't create a fantasy world to escape reality, we create it to be able to stay. I believe we have always done this, used images to stand and understand what otherwise would be intolerable.””

Lynda Barry

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Sensitivity is often pathologized, yet it holds transformative power similar to music, helping us endure harsh realities.

In simple terms: Being sensitive can be a strength, not a flaw.

Key Takeaway

Embrace sensitivity as a tool for coping.

Themes

sensitivity storytelling music coping psychology

Mood

hopeful introspective

Type

inspirational philosophical

When to use this quote

  • childhood trauma
  • adult mental health
  • creative expression
  • storytelling workshops

Key Concepts

transformative narratives emotional intelligence

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you channel sensitivity constructively?
  • What stories help you survive difficulty?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on sensitivity may lead to avoidance of necessary change.

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