You know that way that you speak to yourself? Those critical, or judgmental things you say inside of ourselves? Maybe you think it’s motivational talk. But here is the problem. Self-talk, over time, solidifies into stories. The stories you tell yourself about who you are, become who you are.
The stories you tell yourself about life, become your life.
Perhaps the most damaging story that you can tell yourself is that freedom is not possible.
All other “self-stories” have some germ of this embedded within them. “I’m not lovable, not good enough or smart enough.” “I’m too old.” “I don’t have the support to…” “I’ve had too many bad things happen.” “I’m too afraid.”
Do you blame the past for who you are today? Do you bemoan a lack of self-confidence? True confidence in yourself is not a behavior that is learned. It is a state of well-being that comes from a feeling of inner trust. It emerges as a gift out of the connection with the quiet within.
In order to master the feeling of self-confidence you need to build a connection to your unshakable inner core.
Lessons Learned
Sometimes you hold on to stories about yourself because you have not learned the lessons contained within them. The lessons remain to reveal to you something needed, something precious.
What do you need to learn from the stories you tell yourself? Are they just a habitual way that you think about yourself? When you release your stories, you discover, in each moment, more and more of who you are.
What can you let go of so that your experience of freedom can emerge?
Take time to Reflect
Take a breath. Release it. Take another. Devote 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 whatever moves you!
2 Responses
I appreciated this Friday Focus and look forward to spending time thinking about my stories. I have one story that I have been holding onto for most of my 48 years around struggles with weight and feel like I am teetering on the edge of releasing it. I had not looked at the root of the story related to freedom and appreciate the connection. Will come back to shareon Monday.
Minette,
I look forward to hearing what comes up as you reflect on the “foundation” of this story.
Laurie