On Too Much

I’ve bumped Positivity from my nightstand for The Artist’s Way.

I decided not 20 minutes ago that Positivity is making its way back to the library because it was not making me positive at all.  I consumed Learned Optimism, I dread picking up Positivity each night.  Of course the topic is still intriguing to me, but Fredrickson was driving me mad by referencing her importance in the field.  It’s one thing to establish your credentials, it’s another to knock me over the head with how groundbreaking your research is. I fully own that this my be an issue unique to me.

Unfortunately, I suspect there are gems hidden in the grandiose prose, and I will have to return to the book at some point.

Here’s where the “too much” comes in.  The Artist’s Way is a bulky program, one I would like to stick with.  In the past few weeks I have been sparked and am hopping like mad to run with this energy.  Identifying my goals for the foreseeable future transitioned me slightly from optimism research into grappling with trying to measure my actions and intentions on a “life affirming” measuring stick.

This has professional and personal implications.  These ripples in my life are full of energy and so very positive, and yet the 98 things to do that match the 98 birds in this photo are draining and dividing.

So I’m starting to pare down my ideas.  In order to gain clarity on any one, fewer can be rattling around my head.  What a wonderful problem to have: too many wonderful thoughts, theories, concepts.  How did I ever get so lucky as to have so many wonderful teachers and inspirations?

Instead of consuming, acquiring and hoarding inspiration, I’m going to go slowly, honor what I’m learning.  Isn’t that what being present is really about?

Teach me, friends.  How do you slow down?  What does enough turn into too much?  Can you quiet your mind and focus your intentions?