The Dalai Lama Vs. Your Inner Critic
"Everything else on your to-do list is more important than creative projects!"
"Are you kidding? You don't have time for this!"
"You're not an artist, writer, photographer, musician, gardener (fill in the blank)!"
"Who do you think you are?"
"Everyone else's needs are more important than your silly creative stuff!"
"Why bother?"
"You're wasting time!"
"You're wasting money!"
"You stink at this!"
Let's face it...our inner critic voice can be truly awful!
If you ever find yourself thinking insidious thoughts like these, you are not alone.
As a wonderful woman in my recent workshop at the Creative Arts Center put it, "My inner critic is a total asshole!"
We all laughed, while at the same time nodding our heads in agreement. Every woman there could relate on some level to the toxic messages our inner critic spews forth at times.
I'm lucky to be going to see the Dalai Lama speak today, so I've been revisiting some of his quotes that I love.
When I came upon the words above I figured he'd probably approve of the message being used as a reminder for us to be kind to ourselves as much as to others.
So, in true Kaizen form, I leave you with this one small question to ponder today in your journal, or on a walk or right now for that matter.
What's one small way you can be kind to your creative spirit today?
And maybe the next time your inner critic comes calling you can call on the compassionate words of the Dalai Lama and show yourself a little love and kindness.
