In this introspective episode, we explore the concept of inner demons and how they influence our lives. Discover methods to acknowledge, understand, and manage these negative thoughts and emotions. Learn about the transformative power of mindful meditation, journaling, and connecting with others. Tune in for insights on silencing your inner critic and embracing positivity.
Stay tuned, stay compassionate and always be kind to yourself. Until next time, keep spreading the sunshine!
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[00:00:02] Hello Sunshine, and how has your week been?
[00:00:06] We all have demons. Parts of ourselves that we don't like to acknowledge, but we know
[00:00:14] are lurking inside of us. Parts of ourselves that cause us to do irrational and selfish
[00:00:20] things. And that's mostly because we probably don't love ourselves enough. And no matter
[00:00:28] how hard we try to ignore our demons, they're always there, bubbling up to the surface,
[00:00:34] peeping out from that cover we try to keep on them. And the harder we try to hold on
[00:00:40] to that cover, the more messed up our lives become. A few of us tend to get high or drunk
[00:00:49] to forget our demons. Then there are a few of us who like to distract ourselves with a
[00:00:55] lot of work or competition just to keep those demons at bay. We treat others in an unkind
[00:01:02] or hostile manner just to forget those demons. And all of us have battled our own demons at
[00:01:12] some point or the other. And it's not always about being selfish or unkind or drinking or
[00:01:20] you know competing with someone. Sometimes it's also about fighting back feelings of anger
[00:01:25] or guilt or hatred. But you know something, the first step towards silencing any of our demons
[00:01:34] is to recognize that they exist. We may always be aware of our negative thoughts and emotions,
[00:01:40] but we never really acknowledge them or accept them as a part of ourselves. But by acknowledging
[00:01:46] and accepting these demons, we then start to take control of these thoughts, of these demons
[00:01:53] as we call them, instead of letting them control us. The next step is to understand where these
[00:02:01] demons come from. A lot of our negative thoughts and emotions are rooted in some past experience
[00:02:08] or traumas. But by understanding the origins of this, we are able to work through them and sometimes
[00:02:15] maybe even let go of our past which is frankly healthier. One of the most effective tools for
[00:02:21] quieting these inner demons is mindful meditation. By regularly practicing mindfulness, you start noticing
[00:02:36] that any of these negative thoughts and emotions actually don't really arise that frequently and
[00:02:42] after a point, they don't arise at all. Journaling is said to be extremely helpful for people who
[00:02:50] sometimes struggle with addressing what they are going through or struggle to cope with what they are
[00:02:55] going through. Connecting with others. Talking to friends and loved ones is always helpful.
[00:03:01] It helps us feel understood and supported. Which then makes it easier for us to face our fears
[00:03:06] and work through any negative thoughts and emotions. You know, negative thoughts are nothing but
[00:03:13] an equivalent of maybe a party crasher. You know, that little voice in your head that will make you
[00:03:19] feel like you're less than. You know, just as we're about to do something big or something different,
[00:03:24] that little voice that says, really? Do you really think you can do that? What if you fail? What if you
[00:03:29] embarrass yourself? What if you make a complete fool of yourself? Are you sure you're not dealing with
[00:03:34] something difficult? Are you sure you won't stumble? And the voice goes on and on and on. Sometimes
[00:03:40] even telling us, forget it, you're never going to make it. Every negative statement is based on our
[00:03:46] past experience, our beliefs, our judgments that we've accumulated over the years. And to find out what
[00:03:53] triggers this negative self-talk, we need to become explorers of our own mind. Make a list of positive
[00:03:59] things about ourselves. You know, being specific about all the qualities that we have that will help
[00:04:07] us reach our goal. Reminding ourselves at all times of everything that we've come through, that we've fought
[00:04:14] through. And in times of trouble and suffering, a song, your favorite song is also a welcome refuge.
[00:04:24] Before I end this episode, I'd like to tell you, the next time you hear your inner critic nagging
[00:04:29] and complaining and getting between you and your dreams, pay attention to what it's saying.
[00:04:34] Counter it with logic and then play your jam. You've got this. Have a wonderful week ahead of you,
[00:04:40] everyone. And take good care of yourselves. We'll speak to you again next week. Bye for now.
[00:04:45] Bye.