this:

Self-critic, self censor, worthless, undeserving, undesirable, insecure, unconfident, self-doubt, disappointment, negative self-talk, unworthy, incapable, unsure, not good enough, self-condemnation, pitiful, apprehensive, anxious, deplorable, contemptible, pathetic, inadequate, small, pitiable, insufficient, unsatisfactory, lacking, deficient, ineffectual, defective, imperfect, hopeless, incapable, incompetent, unskilled, inept, unable, useless, weak, helpless, unqualified, vulnerable, feeble, nervous, worried, apprehensive, uneasy, fretful, fearful, hopeless, powerless………..

Absorbing criticism from external sources is nothing compared to time logged by the inner critic.

Here are some antonyms:

Magnificent, hopeful, powerful and prosperous!

Might it be time to turn down the volume on outer and inner self-deprecations, and instead turn toward the light?

Turn UP the volume on inner positive self-talk.

Shine a light on your Powerful, Prosperous, Hopeful and most Magnificent Self???

I was a little kid, being nicely reprimanded by my mother. But the message was clear and “why don’t you find something to complain about?” taught me an important thing or two early on. My young mind begrudgingly lingered there thinking–knowing the reflection was meant to be inside my own head.

The question implied that I was choosing. I, who in that moment was turning to the dark side, was choosing to do so. I was being told I was being a misery. Focusing on the negative. Not only being negative and complaining, but being willful and choiceful about it. Whatever it was that wasn’t pleasing me wasn’t actually a globally bad experience. It was simply that I was making the choice to feel badly. I was choosing negative. Choosing to be negative, choosing to complain, was only one of many options.

So now I know. Choosing to complain is a choice I make. And now you know too!

I’ve been thinking on Bliss’s bit about the prom note, and to not count on it. I found this quote earlier today on Bob Proctor’s ‘Insight of the Day’. It was timely. Someone near and dear had asked me yesterday for my thoughts on a particular prom note investment. What immediately came to mind was that a lot of ‘life savings’ seem recently lost at the cause of promissory note ‘investments’.

Although this little ‘insight’ from Bliss via Proctor, may be more pertinently about the utility of living in the present it seems simple, pertinent, and valuable advice when weighing in on prom note investing. If it’s money you can’t ‘afford’ to lose, better think twice! Put whatever you want into a potentially higher rate of return from this vehicle as long as you “don’t count on it”.

Apply the cautionary Bliss view. Being cautionary truly means don’t lend money that you cannot afford to lose.

Following up on that post, this one considers the self-critic. The self-critic arises perhaps, at the ‘tipping point’ of one’s ability to ‘manage’ the voice of an external critic. If the environment in which criticism arises is perceived to be safe and the input useful, it can potentially serve us if it adds to our desire to improve and helps generate action towards improvement. If the critical voice tips the scales in the other direction however, and self-doubt arises, the creative self can become stuck and stifled.

What way out? The way is forward, into movement and growth. Tune in to the inner voice of guidance and self-nurture. Don’t depend on an outcome, but trust yourself and do it anyway.

She was like a magical vehicle bringing her special interpretation of her moment-to-moment experiencing. It was lovely. Her a cappella rendition of something she was remembering or newly perceiving, recreated in perfect pitch, and accompanied by perfect, delightful, rhythmical movement.

And as she grew she became more and more conscious of how others perceived her, allowing the external critical voice to grow and co-creating a new internal critical voice. Rather than question the intent of the critic, sadly, she silenced spontaneous singing, dancing expressions of joy. Criticism contributed to killing the creative.

All this relates to the book that she gave me, which was Eat, Pray,Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. The worldwide acclaim and fame Gilbert has received is described here in a TED talk by Gilbert, which is also about historical shifts in how humans have conceptualized artistry and creative expression. Gilbert’s timely and significant message will assist some of the creatives among us to squelch the pressuring external voices of praise and criticism, turning responsibility for what comes through us to some external voice of the muse to speak as they best see fit–allowing creativity to live and thrive!