“The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful.” These are two of the playful word combinations e.e. cummings used in his poem [in Just-]. And I love them for all the reasons that are Spring.
As I read those words I not only see children gleefully jumping in puddles: I feel the feelings of joy, of play, of silliness and the unrestricted freedom to be me. Just me – just as I am. No pretense, no make-up, no conformity. Just me – today.
I am filled with gratitude for spring blossoms, for longer days, for daffodils and crocuses. For gardens full of promise, for spring-colored dresses, for rain, for freshness, for new buds and hyacinths.
I am filled with joy for a winter past and a summer still to be.
Rebirth, renewal, becoming something new – something more than. This is my year of stepping out and owning my truth. Speaking from the heart not the head.
If my inner critic rails against my new-ness, then so be it. I have tools now to quiet this voice of naysaying and smallness. Today, in the midst of puddle splashing and squishing, I’m stomping on my inner critic. Here’s a short exercise from my book, Tame Your Inner Critic, showing you a fun way to calm the inner chatter. First, before you begin the exercise, think of a phrase that your inner critic uses to describe you. Maybe you hear the inner critic whispering, “You’re not good enough – hide, before they find out!”, or “Totally unprepared, as usual today!”, or “I can’t believe you actually said that -how dumb are you!” Now follow along as we have some fun smashing that energy to smithereens!
Exercise: Stomping On My Inner Critic
1. Close your eyes and say your phrase out loud. Imagine a ball of energy forming in front of your closed eyes representing this phrase. Spend a moment just looking at that ball of energy. As you visualize the words of your phrase, see them forming a colorful mass of waves of oscillating energy.
2. Next, imagine moving that ball of energy down to the floor by your right foot. Watch it move to the floor. With your eyes still closed, imagine looking down at your right foot and seeing this big ball of energy representing the phrase of your inner critic. Check out the colors of the energy. See it as a big glob of goo on the floor. Acknowledge that this phrase is no longer true for you. It is not your own truth. You don’t need to hold this foreign energy in your body any longer.
3. When you decide that you’re ready to let this energy go … step on it. Stomp on it. Smash it to smithereens! Or, if that is a little too violent for you, just tell it to go away. Watch as that big ball of unworthiness energy disappears. Have fun with this. Make it a game. Release those negative thoughts from your internal dialogue.
Let’s work together to tame our inner critic and find the joy in becoming our own best friends.
If you’ve enjoyed this exercise from the book, I hope you will consider adding it to your must-read list. And I hope you will share this post with a friend or two! Many blessings to you – from my heart to yours.