Are You Developing Too Rapidly?

You’ve had a wonderful run of recent successes in your spiritual development.
You’ve been Up, riding the wave of your intentions like a real pro chaos surfer.
You’ve experienced epiphanies in ever-increasing rapid succession — light bulbs popping on along your path, strung out before you faster than you can keep up with them.
You’ve acquired a new tool of perspective that makes everything seem different, from here on out.
You’ve learned a new insight that changes your relationship with Change itself.
You’ve enrolled in courses that empowered you in such a way that your prior life feels like a fading dream.
You’ve begun to isolate and act upon the messages that come through your intuitive channels.
You’ve magically manifested one intention after another — you must have cracked a code, you’re doing it, really doing it! Awesome.

You reach for the Next Big Thing, with real confidence and faith, based on solid successes from your recent past, with nothing but positive expectations and the exhilarating speed that comes from a true sense of the Flow… and you hit a wall.

You wipe out.
The force drops out from underneath you.
The well goes dry.
Your domino-fall of options hits a snag.
You reach for the next pull-chain of enlightenment, yanking away with a big grin on your face, swinging from one Light-bulb Moment to the next like a cartoon Tarzan… and in double-take panic you realize there is no Next Obvious Step — the light-bulb is either burned out or you’ve yanked the plug right out of the wall.

You lose your rhythm and your momentum and suddenly it feels like nothing is happening for you.

You scramble to jump back on Something, Anything. You reach to the Shelf of Help and grab another “masterpiece,” sure to fire you up again… And it doesn’t work!

Too Rapid Expansion
In response to reading clients, my guides have been serving up a lot diagnoses in the past few months with the same shining phrase — Too Rapid Expansion – the manic shadow side of procrastination issues. You’re speed-dialing Archangel Michael and whipping the purple princes pulling your sled of willpower like a team of panting huskies.

You’ve got an hourglass icon spinning in place of your cursor and you just keep clicking — soul computer freeze.

Who are you racing? Who are you trying to beat?
Your personal growth, your spiritual development, your enlightenment is not a race or a contest, and you won’t “get somewhere” any faster than is perfect for you.

Santa Claus just came and dumped the daddy of all sleigh-loads on your tree skirt. Your inner child has crash-landed in an avalanche heap of torn packaging and bliss, all of five minutes old.

Are you already shopping for the Next Toy?
Have you worn yourself out — already?! — on your recent acquisitions?
Could you really be that bored with your new power?
Are you sure you’re ready for the Next Step?

If you find yourself Here, in what I’m describing, you may not be ready. If you were to “press on,” in some ambitiously spiritual sense, you’ll likely be blocked. It’s a simple matter of fully digesting all that you’ve recently acquired before you bring in More. The next step along your path will likely require you to be adept at something already in your arsenal, and you will only be frustrated if you try to “skip a grade.”

There’s a general “hunger” that I’ve been hearing lately in the requests for assistance with growth, and it makes sense within the context of your expansion, but please know that it’s REALLY OK to chill with what you have. You could conceivably work with what is within and before you toward an expert level, increase the depth of exploration of your toolbox, without adding a big new-fangled computerized Craftsmen model.

Any one gorgeous tool or toy can be enough. Ask yourself “Do I have enough?” What have I newly acquired and not used fully? What have I not yet learned at this level? Am I missing something in my haste?

I’m not telling you to embrace the Pause to discourage you, but to give you permission to not move forward — not being sure of your next option is a sure sign that there’s something still to get, to pace yourself. Play until the options start presenting themselves, and you’ll have no problem jumping toward them when they appear.

Not knowing what to bring in next may simply be a sign saying Reduce Speed Ahead.

Slade's signature

August 3, 2008 | by Slade Roberson | Filed Under Angels, Manifesting, Power

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Comments

20 Responses to “Are You Developing Too Rapidly?”

Jody on August 3rd, 2008 5:02 pm

I’ve been in this “pause” position, as you so nicely describe it, for the entire summer. It’s been made very clear to me by my angels and guides that it’s appropriate and healthy. The term I’ve always used, just in speaking to myself and in trying to keep my impatience under control, is BALANCE. When I first turned on to spirit, I was like an overpowering, passionate strobe light. I attracted an extremely undesirable, negative entity, which thrust me backwards. The result was a constant, ping-pong effect. Now, I reach for balance, always. Last week, Slade gave me my first reading. I was, of course, thrilled and excited by the information. But I also took a deep breath and stilled the thrill and excitement. I’ve learned that it’s far better to stay in balance. I welcome the good stuff, sure, but I remember, always, that I am a see-saw. I no longer crave that wild ride high into the air, when your butt leaves the see-saw and you go flying off the seat. I’m in the center of the see-saw, standing tall and balanced with one foot on each side, making it go up-and-down with my own energy. A little joy and a lot of acceptance.
Tom Stine | Spiritual Life Coach on August 3rd, 2008 9:27 pm

Slade, you crack me up! How can anyone grow to quickly? I think the key to what you are saying is the whole “efforting” implied. You really can’t push spiritual development. Even if you try you can’t. Because it isn’t about the “you” doing the pushing. It’s about the real you, the truth of your being.

But, and its a big but, when the little “me” does push, it suffers. Hugely. Because in its attempts to effort and push, it just gets squashed in its own stuff.

I agree with the end: when is it enough? When do you relax and say, “ah, that’s good. Just like that.” It is hard to do, I admit. But it is really the only way. You just have to accept what is and let it be.

Great post, my friend. Namaste….. Tom
Michelle on August 3rd, 2008 10:00 pm

This blog definitely applies to my life right now, as usual. It’s good to hear that this “dry spell” probably won’t last forever and is actually, probably: healthy! Thanks Slade, I feel better about my lull now. Perhaps now I should focus and apply what i’ve spent all this time learning and stop being so damned impatient
Lynette on August 3rd, 2008 10:47 pm

Ah Slade, the message came in loud and clear. Obviously, it was the message I needed to hear!
Irene | Light Beckons on August 4th, 2008 1:47 am

Hi Slade,

We often forget that everything happens in good Divine timing. We set out on a quest, and that’s exactly our problem — a QUEST tied to outcomes, and possibly with an imaginary time bomb attached to it. I’ve been there … and I’ll probably be making the same mistakes again coz it’s just so hard to chill. Thank Heavens there are people like you who will write posts like this … reminding us to keep things in check.
Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Map on August 4th, 2008 1:49 am

Great article. I needed to hear the same message too!! I am learning how to be okay in a position of not knowing what is next.

Thanks for sharing!
Evelyn
Andrea Hess|Empowered Soul on August 4th, 2008 3:47 am

Love this article, Slade! We all need to let go of the idea of “achievement” in spiritual development. When we do, we end up growing in ways that we never, ever would have expected. Our lessons find us, our growth opportunities simply cross our path effortlessly - as soon as we stop chasing them.

It’s all about that beautiful balance of being and doing ….

Blessings,
Andrea
Angelic on August 4th, 2008 4:22 pm

Salde, you’re Brilliant man! I get happy everytime I get a new post, because it usually, in a very errie yet welcome uncanny way know exactly whats going on with me, an apparently other people.

Divine timing is something I’ve been getting told the last couple weeks. I’ve been runing on full speed and light and then all of sudden the bottom dropped out. I kept trying and I wasn’t gettin anywhere. I went on a Drum Journey last week, I had one before to go inside myself which was great, but this one was focused on going ‘UP’ But no matter how hard I tried I kept falling into darkness, down, down. I was so frustrated and upset afterwards.

Then I realized what they were trying to tell me. I’ve missed something, trying to overstep my shadow side, trying not to delve to the deepest darkest part of me, which I need to do first and accept, before I can venture even higher than before.

I was missing the gift I already had right before my eyes, and attempting to amass more- focusing on channeling and healing, when the one thing I was suppose to be focusing and working on was me.

My head was happy being up in the clouds, I forgot I needed to keep my feet on the ground too. I needed balance, and to embrace what I have instead of mouring what I lacked.

Excellent post Slade, thank you
Patricia Singleton - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker on August 4th, 2008 5:28 pm

I started reading a new book, actually an old book from1995, written by Alan Cohen and called “I Had It All the Time.” It talks about self discovery vs. self improvement. I would capitalize the “s” in “self” discovery but Alan doesn’t. He says that our spirituality isn’t about our journey. We don’t have some place to go, we are already there and always have been. He says we should look for self discovery rather than self improvement because the real you doesn’t need improving. We have forgotten the greatness of who we really are in searching for self improvement when all we really need to do is remember and just be. I think that goes with the message that you are putting out there in this article. Have a glorious day and just be.
Slade | Shift Your Spirits on August 4th, 2008 7:49 pm

Jody,

Thank you so much for referencing the reading I did for you here in the comments — that’s an absolutely priceless show of support for me. A concept of balance is good; how about something great? I’m excited to share this simple shift with you, think of it as putting your Balance on steroids! Actually, let’s take your Balance into 3 dimensions (or more). The balance, the see-saw, the ping-pong you describe — nothing wrong with it at all, but it’s static and occurs in only two-dimensions. It’s a little brittle, with two few “settings” if you will…

What’s Balance in multiple dimensions? Harmony. The absolute goal of balance in the way you’re working with it is a kind of No-movement; a delicate point of no-change that doesn’t account for the fluid, dynamic, organic, multi-dimensional Flow of energy. Balance doesn’t take the idea of flux and change into account enough — not enough directions, too many places where things stop moving.

So, begin working with this idea — take your Balance and extend it all directions and dimensions simultaneously; let it be in a state of constant movement and change — what does balance look like for you, taken off the flat screen of your perception and projected within the word Harmony? For me, Harmony looks and feels and behaves like music… and this simple shift in perception frees me…

Tom,

You get it! The whole notion is a paradox, where you’re screwed right out of the gate. But this IS the way so many people, myself included, think about their growth and their evolution. Trying is never doing; more importantly, striving is not being. Maybe it’s a Western Mind thing (?) the notion of defining ourselves by jobs and roles… We like to take anything desirable and turn it into a competitive reality show, a con-test… something to be won, something to be acquired, something to beat… The whole notion of Aspirational Personal Development where all you do is acquire and add — it’s insane! As if your sense of purpose and your connection with authenticity and peace is not already present, buried under the layers of striving… Like it’s a scholarship or a graduate degree… sigh.

Michelle,

To every season, turn, turn… The notion of a dry spell is relevant because of the rain… All these states are significant and can be used. My Daddy used to tell me when I was little and insomniac “When you can’t sleep, rest.” Somehow I think that applies here a little bit…

Lynette,

Love to have that receipt confirmation — thank you!

Irene,

There’s a shining sentence I received from my guides about 10 years ago that is the most useful mantra I’ve ever channeled (for myself) — “Joy only happens in the present.” The word Quest feels absolutely encrusted with future-ness; it’s sounds dissatisfied and hungry to me, too.

Evelyn,

I was watching a reality show with a competition/elimination “pageant” formula (Andrea H. is giggling at me here — we share a certain fascination with this “brain candy” as she calls it…) — maybe it’s the themes of creativity, self-empowerment, self-esteem that are at the root of all the fluff and bling — there’s such a thing as being a deep observer of shallow stuff, you know… Anyhoo… I was struck by something an eliminated contest said through tears during her exit interview… She said what she would miss most about no longer being in the contest was that moment in between finding out what the challenge will be and actually executing your solution — that moment of possibility is a kind of creative bliss… I get that. What a magic spot that is, with such an incredible view…

Andrea,

All that Achievement in Spirituality wears on me — how did we manage to combine those two ingredients together, of all things? Glad you’re back!

Angelic,

I’m so glad this spoke to you — that’s absolutely the best feedback and affirmation I could possibly hear…

Patricia,

Thanks for drawing that connection. That’s a Ruby Slippers Mantra — “You’ve always had the power.” Ah, Glinda, so good, so wise, so pretty in pink…

Really, there is One message that my guides insisted was the mission or theme or foundational point to my starting this web site — and here’s a perfect opportunity to say it again:

“You are already everything you’ve ever wanted to become.”
Jody on August 4th, 2008 9:36 pm

Slade, I think that’s a terrific way to think about it. Harmony. Yup!
Tracy on August 5th, 2008 12:19 pm

Dear Slade,
As always, it seems to be perfect timing with your posts- something I am always very grateful for! I especially enjoy the comments. There is always a message there but today you really blew me away. I totally LOVE the phrase “being a deep observer of shallow stuff”. What a perfect description of so much of what is happening around here . Your reference to a show is like most people’s daily dramas. Who needs reality t.v.?!!
As usual a SUPERB job!!
Thanks for my happy thought today!
Tracy
Frank Butterfield on August 5th, 2008 1:51 pm

Slade –

Thanks my friend for this beautiful post. My higher self is reminding me as I’m reading it (and all the yummy comments) that there is no tomorrow and no yesterday. There is only right now.

And also… there is something here about pleasure delayed is pleasure forsworn: pleasure in basking in the moment, stretched out and purring joyfully like a contented cat.

I can hear my Puritan ancestors sniffing with disapproval about this nonsense (them and those darn Sooners — talk about wanting to get there immediately, if not sooner! Sheesh!). It seems to rub them the wrong way when I stop with all the effort-ing and simply allowing my natural magnificence to shine on through.

But that’s ok. Someday soon they’ll give up their ghostly ways and join the rest us in joy and happiness, sitting under a warm sun with feet dangling and splashing in the river.

Much love to all,
Frank
lightworker on August 6th, 2008 2:07 pm

Hi Slade

my wife is currently on the fast train of discovery, the cyrstals are popping up every where, the rieki master in 4 weeks, the tarot cards and bags

and then to top it of (king Bit) from whats up tells them all to leave there familys and start small communitys of healers and lightworkers

because the rest of us are not on the same steps of the ladder.

she has changed and it is good that she has found herself
Slade | Shift Your Spirits on August 6th, 2008 9:21 pm

Tracy,

I don’t feel that anything can be truly shallow when you are observing or participating from a position or a sense of conscious awareness. You’re right though, Reality TV is life imitating art (sometimes pitifully, sometimes brilliantly), with plenty of people confusing petty drama with significance or importance. Of course it’s entertaining to watch — it can be insightful and educational too.

Frank,

Oh, Goddess, are those poor Puritans still stuck and strangling in those starched collars? The poor things — talk about stubborn free will and self-denial. Maybe they’re hanging out taking cues and learning from your approach to joy, pleasure, and the moment free of all that striving and straining… Could it be that there is Purgatory of the Uptight where they must observe the progress of their hell-raising great-great-grandchildren?

Much potential for humor if you want to adapt this drama for film.

Lightworker,

There’s certainly nothing wrong with crystals, Tarot cards, or learning healing modalities like Reiki. Just as any other useful tool or skill you could name, in the right hands, with the best intentions for all involved, etc, it’s all wonderful — the opposite is unfortunately true, too.

I have no idea who King Bit is, but I can’t imagine the justification for teaching anyone they should leave their families. This sounds like the tactics of a cult leader to me. Your description is disturbing…
Lee on August 7th, 2008 1:44 am

Hi Slade
Well this is my first post after being on your mailing list for a few weeks now and enjoying all of your posts and the replies afterwards. I have been drinking in all of the points of view with delight and also a sense of coming home. Please forgive me if this is long but you have opened a floodgate of emotion

My spiritual journey, although lying quietly in the background for a long, long time has had the accelerator pushed down for the last couple of months since a very vivid dream about my long departed grandmother whom I love dearly. Since then I have been reading everything I can get my hands on, probably to the point where having over 10 books out from the library may be overloading (smile).It was therefore so poignant that this post of yours came into my mailbox this week, because I have been so excited about the positive transformations that have been taking place in me and therefore flowing on to my family, that I have, at times, been impatient to know more. I understand the comments about this sense of achievement that we think we need to validate us, but mine also stems from a feeling of wanting to “make up” for my past (I was an emotional, moody, protective woman for so long focusing on the wrong things that I thought made me more validated as a person, but offered me nothing in the scheme of things except quick fixes that certainly didnt last or were not good for me) I know that my life is one long lesson and have always tried to see the lesson that is there to be learnt in every situation, good or bad. Maybe this is the lesson of slowing down for me at the moment, to let go of the guilt of feeling that i have wasted years being not the happiest person I could have been and just living in the moment and making every thought stem from a place of love and light. To stop and smell the roses is definately what i need to do. I can so relate to your comments Angelic and feel this is a gentle reminder that I am not on a time limit and that I cannot move forward until I face and deal with the lessons that I have learnt but not yet fully accepted.

So thank you Slade for this gift of awakening that you have given me this week and every week I have been on your list. You truly inspire me to put things in perspective and stay grounded.

Lee
Slade | Shift Your Spirits on August 7th, 2008 4:07 pm

Lee,

Welcome! Your comment is heart-felt and deeply personal and absolutely beautiful — thank you so much for sharing a little bit of your story.

I’m thrilled that you feel inspired by my posts, but I want you to know how much your comments enhance and co-create the greater impact this blog may make. I know that all the commentators feel that their individual offerings are “just personal” but there is a powerful amplification that takes place…

You are speaking to and for so many other people who feel the same as you, who recognize their own stories within yours. You are representing, in the greatest sense of the word. We are one another’s mirrors, angles, and guides. By obeying the impulse to lend your story and your voice, you are participating in that collective synergy.

I feel humbled and blessed.
Michelle on August 7th, 2008 9:48 pm

“Michelle,

To every season, turn, turn… The notion of a dry spell is relevant because of the rain… All these states are significant and can be used. My Daddy used to tell me when I was little and insomniac “When you can’t sleep, rest.” Somehow I think that applies here a little bit…”

I have been experiencing my first bouts of insomnia these last few months so it’s awesome that you picked up on this. I have found that most of these nights that I can’t sleep, it’s because something significant is happening during the night, to someone I know (ER visits or car accidents, etc…) Sometimes my mind just races I’ll take your advice and rest instead.
dee on August 8th, 2008 2:25 am

How do you know…every time… Oh man! I was freaking out and getting discouraged. I just laid in my bed and was like…”ok…so I guess this isn’t working for me” Cause I had been doing well and I was like a kid in a candy store! I think Spirit knows what is needed. I don’t know who this message was for besides me but I can honestly say…I needed to read this and when I finally read it. I felt relief. Thank you.
Barbara on August 13th, 2008 10:06 pm

Hi Slade,

I really love sometimes how things you’ve written stay with me. I don’t necessarily have the language in the moment of publication to respond. Which is in direct correlation to this article, getting ahead of myself. I think what I heard repeat the most as I let your ideas kind of waft through my awareness is, you can’t skip over anything. If it is there, it is yours to deal with. Or maybe a nicer way to say no cheating!