It may be true. The world may not be ready for the most gifted among us. The world, more specifically, the people of the world, may look at you with wonder or amazement, confusion, fear, or derision. None of those looks are particularly desirable. They are not looks of understanding, appreciation, enthusiasm, or love. Not looks of connection.

The world may not be ready for your gorgeous “mind palace.” Your in-depth analyses. Your astonishing creations. Your extraordinary empathy. Your mystical intuitions. Your endless curiosity. Your dedication to justice. Your “completions of De Quincey’s lost Suspiria.”
The world may not be ready for you.
But, don’t let that stop you.
I know. Easy for me to say. The world has found me reasonably acceptable. After all, I have not discovered “new results in complexity theory” or learned my seventh language, or gone to grad school while having a full-time job and a three-year-old. I did not study advanced calculus when I was twelve or become a medical intuitive after high school. You might say I have a heart palace but a mind gymnasium.
But I know you. And, it is my job to help you be you. Because, well, this world is a mess. And you are here for a reason. You know I’m right.
Now, don’t go all freaked out on me. I am not saying you need to become a CEO for some dastardly corporation, make gobs of money, and reach your great potential. I am saying you need to find out who you are, unleash that person, and become the one you are here to be.
I realize that is easier said than done. I realize that one sticky part might be the loneliness that can come with shining your light. Some people will be blinded by it and turn away. But some people will be fascinated, put on their cool shades if needed, and join your fan club love you. I mean it. And, yes, I also know you have to choose your people carefully. Be selective. And hide out when you need to. You may need therapy. You may need to read my books! You may need to get a dog and an emotional support sweater.
Have I convinced you yet?
Take your time. Think about it.
You may worry that “if the world saw inside, it would rightly conclude I was an alien and fire me into space.”
But you know I am in your head. Many of you have told me so. I have seen your insides. And what I see is, well, magnificent. You can trust me on that.
So, the world may not think it is ready for you. You may not think you are ready for the world.
Don’t let that stop you.
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To my bloggEEs: Do you worry about this? Tell us about it. Tell us about your mind palace. All of the wonderful quotes above are from this recent lovely blog comment:
“… The upshot is a whole mind palace filled with gorgeous fractals — an alternative to bitcoin, two pop science books, a way to make balls roll uphill, a quantum programming language, new results in complexity theory, a poetry chapbook, Latin philosophical translations, completions of De Quincey’s lost Suspiria, a method of artificially dreaming, and so on — which I cannot bring myself to unleash, not only on the world but on myself. They sit there, gathering dust on easels and drafting tables, in long corridors lined with the mahogany cabinets of imagination, abandoned for fear that they are too much. That I am too much… That the world isn’t ready for me… That if the world saw inside, it would rightly conclude I was an alien and fire me into space.”
By the way, if you are looking for more help unleashing yourself, my third book is in the works. It is a guided journal/workbook. Are you ready for the title? Saving Your Rainforest Mind–The Workbook. (Subtitle: For the Exceedingly Curious, Creative, Smart & Sensitive Seeking Self-Understanding, Purpose, & a Peaceful World.) It ought to be available later this summer. I’ll let you know.
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