From Philippe in Paris: “I remember one of your quotes where you said something like ‘I’m here to remind you that your rainforest mind is a thing of beauty. Even with all those mosquitoes.’ I believe I finally reached a point where I’m fine with my brain and all the fractals inside but for god’s sake how do we manage the mosquitoes!?”
Thank you for the question, Philippe.
First, let’s identify what/who the mosquitoes are. They are likely different for everyone, and yet, similar in many ways, too. After all, you folks are both very different from each other but also experience similar strengths and challenges. Well, then. Typically, you have both inner and outer “mosquitoes.”–those annoying, uncomfortable, distracting, itchy, blood-sucking pests! (And, yes, I do understand the actual insects serve a purpose. Humor me please!) Some of the inners could be: self-doubt, pressure/expectations, fear of failure, sensitivities, traumatic memories and experiences, anxieties, decision-making, existential depression, inaccurate beliefs about who you really are, and more.
In Philippe’s case, the mosquitoes are humans. He has spent a lot of time sorting through, understanding, appreciating, and even loving his inner world “fractals.” And, yet, there are still humans who can be annoying, uncomfortable, distracting, itchy, and blood-sucking! So, the human mosquitoes will be the focus of this post.
What are some of the difficulties? Here are a few: Their expectations, assumptions, pressures, miscommunications, judgments, biases, insecurities, misdiagnoses, slower/shallower/under thinking, egocentricricity, limited beliefs, fears, and insensitivity. You might have trouble understanding how they work or who they are. It could be frustrating to explain your rainforest mind to them even for something that seems so simple, for example, in Philippe’s case, why you want to learn Norwegian for no reason. Of course, you want to learn Norwegian! Do you have to have a reason?? How could they question that??
Right?
So, my darlings, How do you live as your full-on vibrant, effervescent rainforest-y selves when other humans do not understand you and you might not understand them?
I wish there was a simple, obvious answer. The more I know all of you, the more I see how different you are from the majority of humans here on Earth at this time. But I don’t want to recommend insect repellent or hazmat suits. Although, you know, the ones who are blood-sucking or carrying malaria, those would be ones to avoid as much as possible or eliminate from your forest.
I think the answer goes something like this: Continue to deepen your understanding and love for who you truly are. This is likely a life-long adventure. There is more and more for you to unfold and embrace about yourself and why you are here. Do not underestimate your own worth, your capacities, and your reasons for being.
You are truly multi-dimensional so uni-dimensional folks may not get you. And you might not get them. Use your strong emotional intelligence and intuitive abilities to relate to them with compassion, possibly slowing your communication so they can follow. But also give yourself permission to be choosy about who you bring close. Let yourself set boundaries around time spent and vulnerability with the uni-dimensional. Find the sensitive, more highly developed souls, for deeper relationships and intimacy. Do not give up on finding them. They exist. They are buying my books! Nourish the relationships you already have that are feeding you. Go where the smart people hang out, like the silent book clubs, the Argentine tango, the Audubon Society, Instagram. Become a climate activist. Start a blog or a podcast. Dive into your intellectual, creative, and spiritual pursuits with abandon. Be the weirdo.
Yes. You heard me. Be the weirdo.
The blood sucking mosquitoes are more likely to leave you alone. Your rainforest mind will flourish. You will flourish.
But, as Philippe said: “I’m pretty sure I am not alone in that struggle. I feel like we all have this frustrating step when we feel ready for the world but.. But.. The world doesn’t look ready for us…”
Actually, Philippe, the world is ready for you. The world needs you. It needs all of us. I’ll bring the mosquito netting.
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To my bloggEEs: How do you manage the human mosquitoes in your life? How/Where have you found people who get you? What about the inner mosquitoes? Do you wonder if the world is ready for you?
Thank you all for your wonderful book title suggestions. I think I have settled on one! I will keep you in suspense for now. But I appreciate your ideas for what you want to see in the book and your enthusiasm. Will keep you posted on the progress of the book’s creation. I have most of it written and am now in the tweaking, revising, ruminating stage.
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