I have always been one of those "over the top" enthusiastic people who love easily, trust easily, but face difficulty when it is time to hold back and disengage. So it was reassuring to read that others find enthusiasm to be life-affirming. I do notice that "opposites attract" so that often more "low-key" or even critical individuals are attracted to my joyful approach. At the same time, people can be threatened by it and seem suspicious of the genuineness of my enthusiasm. Particularly when I was young, I was met with the reaction, "You can't really feel so loving -- you must be a fake" -- and in fact, when I was young, my enthusiasm tended to blind me to the perspective of others. Those who have not been loved well and generously are often the ones who turn to criticism as a mode of social survival.
I just loved the Barry Manilow story! Here's to enthusiasm for every human enterprise that celebrates what is good and loving and joyful in life!
On Feb 17, 2015 Michelle Dugan wrote :
I have always been one of those "over the top" enthusiastic people who love easily, trust easily, but face difficulty when it is time to hold back and disengage. So it was reassuring to read that others find enthusiasm to be life-affirming. I do notice that "opposites attract" so that often more "low-key" or even critical individuals are attracted to my joyful approach. At the same time, people can be threatened by it and seem suspicious of the genuineness of my enthusiasm. Particularly when I was young, I was met with the reaction, "You can't really feel so loving -- you must be a fake" -- and in fact, when I was young, my enthusiasm tended to blind me to the perspective of others. Those who have not been loved well and generously are often the ones who turn to criticism as a mode of social survival.
I just loved the Barry Manilow story! Here's to enthusiasm for every human enterprise that celebrates what is good and loving and joyful in life!