Have you noticed? The quality of your thoughts is directly related to the quality of your daily life.
Where your thoughts go, so does your attention. If your thoughts are rotten (self-critical, self-doubting, self-righteous, judgmental) you are likely to feel stuck, unable to connect with your own creative possibilities.
When I notice myself with judgmental thoughts I stop and take a breath. I know nothing will flow for me in that moment. The noticing part is critical. Noticing is not judging my thoughts, which would only deepen the cycle. Instead, I decide to do something different.
When my thoughts are calm, it is as if my vision opens up. What felt small and hard inside me softens. I am able to see and engage with the situation with greater clarity.
My body unfolds in the places where it had been turned in on itself.
It all starts with the way I am thinking.
There are so many voices inside of you that vie for attention. Parental voices that tell you whether you are doing something right or wrong. Critical voices that are aimed towards those around you or those that you direct towards yourself.
There are the “thumping your chest because you know you are right” voices.
Most importantly, there are loving voices that create a feeling of peace and inner harmony.
Get to know your true inner voice
How do you develop a sense of what your voice sounds like when it comes from the deepest experience of who you are?
Your thoughts are the first part of this creative process.
Learn to listen to that small quiet voice within you. You’ll know it when you hear it because it is loving. Get to know it as the voice of truth. Because that is, in fact, what it is.
It feels completely different in your body than the voices of judgment.
You will be rewarded again and again.
The Power of Reflection
Now, take a breath. Release it. Take another. Allow some dedicated time of concentration/meditation. It doesn’t need to be hours of quiet, perhaps only 15 minutes. Then allow the question to simmer within you. Let responses bubble up into your awareness. Notice new ways of thinking, of images or ideas that arise spontaneously. Pay attention to your dreams. Let it happen. Be aware. See where it leads you next. Let yourself savor this process of receiving from yourself. Don’t judge whatever comes up, just receive it. Make notes.
You may want to share something from this process. Sharing is an important way to anchor an insight in your body. It leads you to deeper insight. It stimulates action. Feel free to share what moves you.
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