Today’s Mandala Message: Mind your thoughts
This week I’m working through Principle #32 from Jack Canfield’s “The Success Principles” entitled “Transform Your Inner Critic into an Inner Coach”. I set my intention today to ponder the idea of minding my thoughts. I know my inner critic has full reign over most of my thoughts. 99% I don’t even hear it, it seems to skim across the surface of my consciousness.
Canfield states: “Research indicates that the average person…talks to [themselves] about 50,000 times a day. And most of that self-talk is about yourself, and according to the psychological researchers, it is 80% negative. …[and] Our negative thoughts control our behavior.”
A few years ago, I actually heard that inner critic at full volume. I think it didn’t realize I could actually hear it. In my mind I had this initial thought to call someone to tell them something I thought was important. Immediately after that thought I heard “they don’t want to hear what you have to say”. It. stopped. me. in. my. tracks! I couldn’t believe my ears. It so stunned me that I had to ask it who said that? Whoever it was disappeared. While I didn’t follow through on the call, I was amazed that for the first time ever, I clear heard and became aware of my inner critic—a giant first step.
A good mindfulness practice would be to consciously hear your thoughts.
So how about you? Are you aware of your inner critic? Have you ever heard its messages to you? Are you ready to get to know it?
“You don’t have to do
— David D. Burns
anything especially worthy
to create or deserve self-esteem;
all you have to do is
turn off that critical,
haranguing,
inner voice.”
Blessings,
Maureen
The Mandala Lady
All Things Mandalas
An Invitation
I invite you to color along with me this year as part of what I’m calling “The Year of Self-Exploration and Expansion” with all of my “Mandalas of the ___” (day, week, month, year). If you’re interested in more of a self-exploration approach to coloring, check out my “Coloring Mandalas as Meditation”. You can download this mandala at MandalaoftheWeek.com.
Mandala of the Day 