Remember when you were younger? Jumping over rocks, ditches, puddles and streams? Jumping off the swing? Jumping into adventures?
Remember the feelings of excitement? Of wonder? Of just doing it because it was the next thing? Failing was not in the equation. It was all about the spaciousness of exploring life. Those giggles were fun!
And then we inherited the limited programming of our cultures; learning to listen and make decisions based on these three archetypes:
– Gremlin: judgmental bully
– Inner Critic: executive functioning gone awry
– Monkey Mind: chaotic confused thinking
It was then that the inner bullying began:
You just aren’t good enough.
Who do you think you are anyway?
This is just another one of your follies.
Think of all the times you have failed.
Understanding their archetypal roles, now we can courageously breakthrough the outdated thought patterns and play in the field beyond by ~
– Jumping over the obstacles.
– Running past the thoughts that no longer serve.
– Leap frogging over the negative belief patterns.
… all while shouting “No guts, no glory!” with a carefree grin.
We have the choice now to rebrand and redefine them as a positive council:
– Gremlin to Strong Bodyguard who watches out for our safety.
– Inner Critic to Critical Thinker who identifies and eliminates old patterns that no longer serve us.
– Chaotic Monkey Mind to Wild Shaman Mind who explores the joys of the Unknown.
What are you ready to leap into?
Join your colleagues and me during the entire month of March at Ann-Maries Blog to transform our Gremlins, Inner Critics, and Monkey Minds – and to give them more pertinent and worthwhile jobs, or just a vacation!
May we train our beautiful minds to live Goethe’s wish:
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
No Guts, No Glory! What a mantra!
– Ann-Marie McKelvey
Hi, just wondering how this largely cognitive approach, it sounds like, fits with mindfulness approach to coaching… rather than pointing to the impermanent nature of thoughts? Perhaps it another tool for the coaching toolbox, but am curious about the fit.
Thanks,
Mike
Hi, Mike…
Thank you for your response. And now my response to yours! ( – ;
There are many ways to experience life. For me it is through the spacious view of mindfulness and meditation. I don’t see either as a coaching tool. Instead it is a way of living.
Yes, impermanence being one of the four thoughts that turn the mind is a given. In addtion, through experiencing destructive emotions or looping patterns that do not serve, I find it imperative at times to be dzochen-like while on the cushion to alleviate suffering.
I love my curved Dhakini knife to symbolically hook the thoughts and toss them or my dagger to stab the pesky thoughts and then toss!
Deep bow to you,
Ann-Marie
Does one sign up for this?
Perfect timing , just thinking about these shadows.
NS
HI, Nancy!
I am smiling at the synchronicity you are experiencing with the blog…yay! ( – ;
Here is the link: https://ann-marie.blog/
You will find a subcribe once you are in!
Glad we will be on the journey together!
Deep bow,
Ann-Marie
What a wonderful post! Mindfully transforming our inner bullies/critics/gremlins/ into allies,turning darkness into light.
Hi, Diane…
Yes, I am smiling as I read your response. It’s all about mind training!
Deep bow to you…
Ann-Marie