Yesterday I sat down to write about the full moon and the partial lunar eclipse, with the intention to share some insights and information that may serve my readers in their personal explorations.
As I prepared to write, I heard voices of doubt rise up within me.
The voices were filled with judgment about the subject matter. They questioned whether I should be writing about astrology.
These voices are not new. They have come forward before when I’ve written about other “esoteric” or spiritual topics like reiki, tarot, or energy practices.
Behind those questions and doubts are judgments and fears.
Specifically, the fear that people won’t take me seriously if I write about esoteric concepts.
Why I Listen to the Inner Critic
Typical advice is to ignore the perceived judgments and criticisms; they are just stories in my head.
This advice is misguided.
Ultimately, the judgments we perceive that may come from others are really the judgments we hold against ourselves.
In listening to the inner critic, I illuminate some areas where I’m still resistant to my own work and continued exploration of these ideas. The key is to listen without attachment, and use what I hear as a springboard for further exploration.
The opportunity for me is not to convince anyone else, but to examine why I might be resistant to these disciplines — even as I study them.
And so I sat down to explore. This was a perfect time to do it: the full moon is a time for illumination. And if I have judgments about my own work, that’s a shadow that will certainly interfere with my ability to share that work meaningfully and authentically.
Resisting the Inner Critic
Among the pushback I presented to my inner critic:
- Does writing about astrology or tarot or energy practices dilute my messages about habits, productivity, marketing, sales, emotional intelligence, or any other subjects I write about?
- If I reveal that I practice reiki or other energy modalities, does that make me a less credible authority on navigating change, making decisions, or creating a sustainable life?
- Does my exploration subjects without clear-cut rules and linearity somehow dilute my intellect and skills?
After much consideration, I concluded that the answer to all of these is NO.
Staying True to Myself
Part of what makes me who I am is the fact that I love to explore various ideas and viewpoints. In fact, in today’s world, I believe that my propensity towards acquiring a general knowledge base, and my ability to hold space for conflicting ideas and view points, is more valuable than ever.
Whether it’s hard science, ancient wisdom, new age spirituality, astrology, or energy work, each of these disciplines offers a lens through which we can view our own experience and the experience of those around us.
We often get stuck in our stories about what things mean and how to explain certain circumstances of our lives. The best way I know to change the story is to have a wide range of sources for alternate versions.
This is what defines my work: merging the science and the art, viewing everything through a holistic lens, understanding that the body, mind, and spirit are inextricably linked. Ultimately, any of these disciplines is merely a lens through which we can see the world.
It may not be conventional, but it’s authentic to me.
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