Confession: What immediately came to mind, in answer to your question:
I wonder what life would be like if we viewed our messiness as a blessed, wonderful thing? I wonder what life would be like if we got gold stars in kindergarten for making messes and having big emotions and being a little too loud?
Ask Donald Trump. (Forgive me, but it is what came so immediately to mind!)
Some seventy years ago, I was one of those "too much" children. I learned how to put that self in a box, and now I am what is labeled a nine on the Enneagram. I have to think to figure out what I feel. Poetry helps (mine and others). Writing helps. Writing a memoir is a challenge I have accepted. Thanks so much for a wonderful post.
Thanks so much, Barbara! You know, I have just begun to think about collecting them. I feel as if I’m being drawn down a new path of late, and it feels right, so I’m just going to keep going with it.
I love this so much but…I may challenge the notion that “we’re all artists at heart, so by definition there should be no difference between us on any sensitivity scale …” — I’d like for that to be true but I’m not sure it is. Having said that this is one of my top posts of yours this year. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Britta! I think you're right re: your challenge. I've come to the same conclusion, as much as I've resisted it. That was part of the reason to write this: not only are some just more sensitive by nature, we also develop our sensitivities as artists, like athletes practicing their sport.
Thank you! I’m working on giving myself permission to be messy and too much and own my sensitive self and not conform to what society tells me I should be.
I loved every inch of this post. Very relatable to shedding armor and becoming more vulnerable to feeling all of life, a topic near and dear to my heart. Thank you.
A great newsletter, Grant. I had an image of a kindergarten where kids are encouraged to be messy. It was a panoply of finger paintings oozing to the floor, and exuberant kids dancing.
To feel all of life more deeply…why would we change that? Thank you. A stunner, indeed.
Absolute stunner, Grant. Hope our paths cross again soon!
Ah. So fine. As usual.
Confession: What immediately came to mind, in answer to your question:
I wonder what life would be like if we viewed our messiness as a blessed, wonderful thing? I wonder what life would be like if we got gold stars in kindergarten for making messes and having big emotions and being a little too loud?
Ask Donald Trump. (Forgive me, but it is what came so immediately to mind!)
Haha, well ... not exactly the point I wanted to make re: Trump. I guess there's a time for messiness and a time for order.
Thanks for your encouraging words, Karen!
Yes! Thank you for your thoughtful post.
I’ve heard it said that the best fiction makes us feel less alone. Well, this article has had a similar effect. Many thanks, Grant. Keep saying it.
Thanks so much, Dave. Your comment motivates me (and gratifies me).
Amazing stuff, Grant. Keep it up.
Some seventy years ago, I was one of those "too much" children. I learned how to put that self in a box, and now I am what is labeled a nine on the Enneagram. I have to think to figure out what I feel. Poetry helps (mine and others). Writing helps. Writing a memoir is a challenge I have accepted. Thanks so much for a wonderful post.
Thanks for reading, and for your comments, Susan. I hope your writing leads you back to feeling "too much"--and being too much on the page.
Again! Yes! I hope you're planning to collect these pieces in a book. They're always spot on.
Thanks so much, Barbara! You know, I have just begun to think about collecting them. I feel as if I’m being drawn down a new path of late, and it feels right, so I’m just going to keep going with it.
I love this so much but…I may challenge the notion that “we’re all artists at heart, so by definition there should be no difference between us on any sensitivity scale …” — I’d like for that to be true but I’m not sure it is. Having said that this is one of my top posts of yours this year. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Britta! I think you're right re: your challenge. I've come to the same conclusion, as much as I've resisted it. That was part of the reason to write this: not only are some just more sensitive by nature, we also develop our sensitivities as artists, like athletes practicing their sport.
Thank you! I’m working on giving myself permission to be messy and too much and own my sensitive self and not conform to what society tells me I should be.
Yep. I am definitely too much (and proud). Finally there is a way to make sense of it.
Yes, we need more people who are proud of being too much!
I loved every inch of this post. Very relatable to shedding armor and becoming more vulnerable to feeling all of life, a topic near and dear to my heart. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Karen! Here's to feeling all of life ...
A great newsletter, Grant. I had an image of a kindergarten where kids are encouraged to be messy. It was a panoply of finger paintings oozing to the floor, and exuberant kids dancing.
Thanks, Thaisa! That's the kindergarten I want to attend ... as in now.
This is fantastic - thank you.