In favor of being too much

When we struggle with the idea that we’re not ____________ enough [fill in the blank: talented, smart, creative, compassionate, selfless, etc.], we have all sorts of support: self-help books, blog posts on self-esteem, confidence-boosting workshops, skills training classes, etc etc etc.

But how do we deal with the idea that we’re too much? That we’re too _______________ [intense, deep, trusting, intellectual, emotional, enthusiastic, etc.]? The support there fades, leaving us with this one pervasive message: BE LESS OF THAT.

Well good lord, if we’re told to be more but expected to be less, then told to cultivate abundance but expected to exude scarcity … no wonder we shrink ourselves, shy away from our strengths, and opt for the less confusing safety (?) of status quo!

No wonder we stop expressing our truest selves.

No wonder we hold back those parts of us that beg the loudest for release.

No wonder we judge and second guess and re-shape and filter the brightest parts of ourselves and show instead a dim version of our greatest us-ness.

Crazy art in my neighborhood

I think we do ourselves a disservice when we squelch the most abundant parts of ourselves.

What if whatever we think we’re too much of is exactly what the world around us needs most?

What if our (perceived) “too much” is exactly the right size to collaborate perfectly with someone else’s (perceived) “not enough”?

And what if expressing the deep down truth of who and what we actually are is the most beautifully and bravely creative (and self-actualizing) act we can do?

Yes, what if…?????

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Are you feeling that irresistible pull to express yourself … and don’t know where to start, or how to keep going? Contact me for a sample (no charge) coaching session. Let yourself out.