I re-watched Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland yesterday and loved it. Each time I watch the film the more I understand the rhymes and riddles Lewis Carroll has written. There was one particular scene which resonated with me this time round. It goes:
“You’re not the same as you were before. You were much more muchier; you’ve lost your muchness.” -Mad Hatter
“My muchness?” –-Alice
“In there (points at heart), something is missing.” -Mad Hatter
The terms “Muchness”, “Muchier”- What does it mean? Just much more of much! In life we all reach a point where we have difficulty seeing beyond what is in front of us. We get caught up with the little thing and start loose that muchness within ourselves. Muchness is very much that spark that makes us more than what we are. It’s hard not to talk in riddles when talking about the book- but bear with me. When Alice is told she has lost her muchness she is offended- and later rem,arks on this. I admit I am currently struggling with my muchness but sometimes you need to work at it in order to keep it.
Muchness is something we are all given – the level of muchness you have depends on how much you embrace it. Muchness is full of energy and vigour. If you are feeling tired, exhausted then you might need to revive it. Muchness can be a low priority – if you do not give it any attention it will become shy and start to fall into the background. It is the spark- the bit that doesn’t care so much about the small details and goes for it. All children have it – but can be questioned if all adults do.
Ask yourself- the following three questions.
- Do you still have “muchness” in you?
- Do you give muchness enough time?
- Think back – what was the muchiest thing you did last?
No idea what I am talking about? Click here to watch the scene
Here are a few ideas from Alice in Wonderland to help restore your “muchness”
1. Where are you going?
“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”- Alice
“That depends a good deal on where you want to go,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where–” said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go,” said the Cat.
“–so long as I get somewhere,” Alice added as an explanation.
“Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.”
We don’t all know where we are going- and you will always end up doing something at some point. You don’t need to plan everything but it might benefit you in the long run to know where you want to be. Then you may just get there.
2. If it is not working – shake things come up a bit
“Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!”- The Red Queen
It can be exhausting doing the same thing especially if you feel like you are in a rut. Staying in the same place also requires maintenance physically and mentally. This can be absolutely fine that is if you are happy where you are. If you want to be somewhere else sometimes you need to work at it – not only at maintenance but change things and shake things up. Run faster as the Queen would say. But it take s hard work to keep what you have and takes more work to be where you want to be.
3. Imagine the absurd until it is no longer absurd
Every now and then I like to do something that even I couldn’t predict I would do. This can be as small as taking a completely random road with the hope of it leading me to where I want to go. I try and just do something at the spare of the moment. If you cannot recall the last time you imagined something- and I’m not talking about getting a promotion or the girl/boy you want- but something that is more likely to be impossible. Such as you being a super hero, or an underground tunnel that leads to a secret palace- whatever you might think of :)- then you may need to actually try and remember 6 impossible things in the morning. Could be a great exercise!
4. Believe and it will be
“It’s impossible!” – Alice.
“Only if you believe it is.” – Mad Hatter
Be determined! A common mental exercise used for athletes and sports persons is to imagine yourself winning – putting that ball through the net- crossing the finish line first. This prepares your mind for winning – for achieving. You are more likely to succeed at something if you can visualise it happening and make yourself believe that you can do it. Try it- and do let me know the tips and tricks you use to do this.
5. Make decisions – as all decisions have consequences
“You cannot live your life to please others. The choice must be yours. Because when you step out to face that creature, you step out alone.”- Mirana, the White Queen, Alice in Wonderland
We all have to live with our own decisions and face whatever music that action brings. Regardless of what you believe spiritually – in a sense we are alone. We are accountable for what we do and therefore I think the better decision is the one made with conviction.
In order to get you’re your muchness you have to be willing to be a bit different and come across a little bit mad….you might even find yourself asking….
Flying High In Heels 