We,
Humans,
Often struggle to find balance.
We tend to sway like a pendulum from one side to the other,
Often swinging right past that sweet middle ground.
The perfectionist and the taskmaster inner critics are prime examples of over-exerting and over-expecting.
The perfectionist pushes us to strive for excellence,
Because if we are perfect,
Then others will have no room to judge or to criticize us.
The taskmaster does not let us rest.
She pushes us into a constant state of validation through achievement.
The more we do,
The harder we work,
The more successful we will be.
And these two inner critics often tag team with one another,
Keeping us in an endless loop of working towards the unattainable.
As with all parts,
Their intentions are good.
They want to help us be successful,
Respected,
Abundant,
And so much more.
And in many ways,
They do help us to be all of those things.
When they are working too hard,
However,
And not allowing the wisdom of self-energy to moderate,
These critics can become overblown,
Interfering with our ability to be present,
To be focused,
And ironically,
Impeding our ability to be productive at all.
Take a few moments now to settle into your body and breath.
Become aware of the room around you,
Your body in this space.
And not controlling,
Not forcing,
Simply witnessing a few rounds of your breath.
You may focus on the sensation of air in and out of your nostrils,
Or the rise and fall of your chest and belly,
Or whatever way of witnessing feels right to you.
Notice how effortless the breath is.
Each breath has its own wisdom.
It changes subtly,
Adapts with each inhale and exhale.
This one a little deeper,
Or a little more shallow.
That one a smidge faster,
Or a tick slower.
And another,
Silent,
Or maybe released with a deep sigh.
The breath does not try to perfectly duplicate the breath that came before it,
And it does not worry about what the next breath will look like.
It doesn't concern itself with impressing anyone or proving anything.
It does not have any goal except to nourish.
The breath does not overexert,
Unless necessary.
It allows each breath to come and go,
Guided by the body's wisdom.
Deeper here,
Softer there.
This wisdom of the breath is self-energy.
It knows exactly what we need,
With exactly the right amount of effort,
And it accepts us just as we are,
Without any judgment or expectation.
Allowing your breath right now to flow wherever it is needed in your body.
Any areas that feel restricted or tight,
Or any sensations that are calling for the comfort of the breath.
Allow the breath to create space for whatever emotions are stored within these areas of the body.
Breathing in.
Breathing out.
No expectations.
No agenda.
Just breathing room.
And when you feel like you've created enough spaciousness for your inner perfectionist or taskmaster to speak,
Ask them if there's anything they'd like to show you or to tell you.
And then asking them to share their concerns for you.
What are they most afraid of?
And how are they protecting you?
Hearing their concerns and validating their past experiences.
Let them know how and why the things they've shared with you make sense.
And then ask them what they need from you to feel safe,
Right now or in the future.
And responding to them from this spaciousness that we've created with the breath,
Let them know how you will provide what they need,
And that they do not have to work so hard anymore.
Notice how your inner perfectionist or taskmaster responds to this,
And ask if they need to show or tell you anything else,
If they need anything else from you,
Or if they feel complete.
If they don't feel complete yet,
You can pause this recording and continue your conversation with them.
If they do feel complete,
Thank them for sharing with you today,
And let them know that you will be back to talk to them again soon.
And when you are ready,
Opening the eyes.
