We've lost a sense of the cycles of life. Life is not linear and always on/off.
Our moods, relationships, motivation, and productivity all go through cycles.
Madeleine Dore divides this area into two phases that oscillate: sponge time, and squeeze time.
We soak up ideas during sponge time. Getting information and insight. Consider options. Drawing out ideas.
During the squeeze time we are implementing our ideas. Creating. Action. Our own insights. Moving forward.
Each phase is essential to the next. Each phase is necessary to keep the cycle of personal development going.
The problem occurs when we remain in one phase, but we should be shifting to the next.
Sometimes we get stuck in the research phase, feeling that we need to read, plan, think, and weigh more before we launch a project. In reality, all we need is to pull the trigger.
Other times, we feel we have to be constantly productive - always coming up with new ideas, always full of spiritual insight, and always certain about what we should do next in our lives. Resting, being still, and being porous or absorptive seems passive, even lazy. Our attempts to produce continuous outputs are proving less effective.
When it is time to squeeze squeeze; when it is time to soak soak.
You can mold a sponge if you don't compress it after it is fully saturated.
You won't have any water to wring if you don't mop some up.
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