Many and perhaps most of us have an inner critic, the part that tells us we didn't do enough or we didn't do it good enough or we are just stupid for thinking this or that.

Why do we have an inner critic and what can we do to bring healing to that part?

In this episode, we look not only at what the inner critic does but why does the inner critic feel the need to criticize us? What if that part is trying to help us using the only tool he/she ever learned. Maybe that part wants us to be more successful, make more money, eat better, exercise more regularly, lose some weight or whatever but has been only marginally successful (if at all).

Self-criticism creates negative energy. Negative energy leads to seeing the worst in ourselves and the worst in others. Seeing the worst in ourselves and others tends to lead to poor performance which leads to more self-criticism and so forth.

Self-affirmtion can be more powerful in helping us be successful, helping us enjoy life and helping us heal ourselves and others.

Perhaps the key is not to get rid of the self-critic but to apprecate your self-critic for wanting to help you. By expressing apprecation to that part, you are modeling the behavior you want that part to have. By teaching that part a new skill, you can use the same energy that went into criticism and redirect that part to for self-affirmation. Imagine what it would be like to affirm yourself instead of criticizing yourself. Imagine how much happier you would be and how much more energy you would to affirm those around you. The result would be to make them and you happier.

I hope you will join me on this journey as we continue to find better ways to heal, better ways to find joy and better ways to enjoy this life.

Alan Pennington - The Curious Counselor