Some of the characteristics of introverts I find most amazing are our rich inner lives and imagination. Some of the characteristics of introverts I find hard to deal with are our inner lives and imagination.
I will explain why: with the advent of the internet the world came to my fingertips and I started realizing that when planning a vacation I was actually "living" that entire experience through research. I was "visiting" the sights, and smelling the streets and the cuisine. It became so vividly real in my brain that when I arrived at the destination, something was muted. As though I was watching a great movie twice, with my version being the best one.
"According to Lynne McTaggart in her book The Intention Experiment, electromyography (EMG) has shown that the brain does not differentiate between the thought of an action and a real action. In an experiment with a group of skiers, EMG discovered that when they mentally rehearsed their downhill runs, the electrical impulses sent to the muscles were the same as when physically engaged in the runs." (quoted from here)
This knowledge brought to me both a scientific and spiritual epiphany. The scientific being that knowing how my introverted brain works, planning my vacation in full has robbed me of the "real" experience.
My spiritual epiphany will be better described by this little tale, from the book titled Brida-Paulo Coelho:
She was on the beach with her father, and he asked her to go and see what the temperature of the water was like. She was five years old and glad to be able to help. She went to the edge and dipped in a toe.
'I put my feet in and it's cold,' she told him.
Her father picked her up and carried her down to the water again and, without any warning, threw her in. She was shocked at first, but then laughed out loud at the trick he'd played.
'How's the water?' asked her father.
'It's lovely,' she replied.
'Right, from now on, whenever you want to find out about something, plunge straight in.'
We should never be afraid to live, for life is ephemeral and a surprise.
29 comments:
This is so interesting Ana... isn't it... I haven't read this book of Lynne's but have read her book 'The Field'... and I just love the little excerpt about plunging in... yes life is a wonderful ride... full of surprises...
Hugs
Jenny x
What a wonderful post .. I'll have to look up that book. It's so true about life ... but I've been plagued by fear for a long time now ... I practice my positive affirmations and that helps for a bit.
Love Always !
If this was supposed to be an inspirational post, it worked. You make me want to plunge straight into Positano, Italy (my dream vacation)...although I can't do that at the moment, I will and no, I won't do too much research so it spoils the feeling.
The book by McTaggart sounds interesting...the whole EMG thing. It's happened to me quite often and I wouldn't call myself an introvert. I just can't know too much about a particular thing before I experience it or it lessens the thrill, even when it comes to books and movies...and rides at theme parks (as I've learned recently). I totally get it, chica.
When I travel, I never read anything major about the location or watch a bunch of movies about it, etc. I rely on what I already know (if anything). Part of this is because I'm busy and don't have the time to do lots of research. But another part is because I don't want to "burn out" on the trip before I experience it. Doing things this way means that sometimes I miss seeing things that I would have liked to see if I'd known about them, but oh well, c'est la vie. I figure I'll see it "next time," LOL! Even though there's almost never a next time.
Love those bold bright colors in the fish painting <3<3<3
Today I took this test. Here, check it out and get back with me.
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp
I want to see if we’re in the same category.
About jumping in…
When I was little I jumped into the deep end of the pool. I could no more swim than I could fly but still I dived on in. Nearly drowned, but that memory showed me I was a deep end personality, all too happy to jump in and explore the depths.
I enjoy finding out stuff about my next vacation destination because it helps me make the most of it while I'm there. It doesn't spoil my holiday, but rather enhances it.
Brilliant use of colour and I love the expression of fishy surprise.
I'm with you about 'knowing' too much prior to an experience; what I know can interfere with how I perceive the reality...so, for me, planning the 'bones' of the venture but letting actual experience flesh it out seems to be the best compromise.
Shall I post the chicken shepherd's pie recipe soon?
Oh this raises so much in me, as you say many introverts/artists have amazing inbuilt vivid scene imagery of what something 'should look like', the problem is the real thing may not match! As you say 'plunge right in', some of my best holidays/events have been those not knowing the detail in full colour. Waking up in surprise holiday locations brings back beautiful memories, opening the blinds to a room only knowing the ocean is out there has often been my dream holiday!
Very interesting post, Ana. I do a little of both. If it's a destination that I know I'll never be able to visit again, I research and make a list of places I want to - and should - visit. But if it's a place I can go to again, I like to drop in without being prepared and be surprised by something new each time.
That's how we can trick our minds and bodies to relax with meditation and visualizing without actually going on vacation.:) It sucks though if you end up disappointed by your vacation. Love your Nemo fishy. :)
With my recent trip to Northern CA, I did not look up details on Muir Woods and other places I wanted to visit, simply because I didn't want to ruin the First Look, the plunging in. Yes, I am an Introvert and my inner thoughts are in wild colors...
" The brain does not differentiate between the thought of an action and a real action"- I agree.
After knowing how my brain/thoughts work, I became extra careful not to over think or over prepare. I went to a South East Asian country some time back and I did so much research before going that after reaching there, I felt like as if I have visited the place before ,hahahaa...
Anyway, have you also noticed that if we think too much about something we fear, it seems like as if we are living in a "really fearful situation" whereas it is not a fear, only a worry, or a false fear.
That is why "mind control" or Meditation is sometimes necessary . Also what is needed is spontaneous action/thought as opposed to too much research/planning -because planning robs the fun and our originality gets lost.
I love your fish painting ! Its cute ! and Paulo Coelho is a big inspiration !
Interesting.... I have never been one to 'plunge in' so to speak. I have always done research, though not a great deal, on places or events that we planned on seeing. And I never felt let down by the real experience vs the researched one. Hubby on the other hand came from a family that would 'dive right in'. Guess, I just feel the need to have some part of my life orderly and planned since so much of my Life is filled with drama and unexpected things that I have no control over.
I think that I need to jump into something. :) thank you ~
Plunging straight in often is the best way. I'm learning that and making that choice more and more often. Just wish I had figured that out earlier in life.
Life is wonderful!
I am touched, by your "touching" comment!
First class introvert.
For me plunging is much easier said than done! I will only *plunge* after I have extensively researched, thought about, mentally rehearsed every scenario and then thought about some more!
Omg, that's me too!
plunge straight in...good advice often..but not in all cases. Hahaha.
I believe it. That is why the agony of thinking about flying is just as bad as the real thing. Ha ha. Love the picture. Are you using a heavy weight paper?
Gorgeous Ana :) I love Paulo Coelho :) He can be so profound! What fabulous imagery x So true!
Well, the electrical impulses couldn't be "the same", or the skiers would be jumping, no?
that is interesting....i guess i had not really thought it much. i don't like to think too hard about why with myself....but, it is interesting concept. i do tend to enjoy stuff much more, when i don't do the research or much planning- otherwise, sometimes i do feel let down because what i had created in my mind was so much better and it steals from the experience....crazy.
you just threw me back in hook, line and sinker!
Wonderful post -- I so empathise with your first two lines. Love your painting too -- there is something very cheering about his expression.
this is really encouraging.. thank you
this is really encouraging.. thank you
Your posts are always full of wisdom and thoughts that make us stop and contemplate. Love it. :)
This usually happened to me in the past, now is less frequent. I am introvert and very analytical, and perfectionist and a rather self-demanding person so I always have expected too much. But now I am learning to experience the nice side of these characteristics and let go the problematic ones. I try to stay present, live and love the moment, go with the flow and this has made my life much more grateful
Love that illustration, such a wonderful colors!
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