“There is a magical spot between acceptance and self improvement where success is born.” (p.282)

We can be our own toughest critics. As long as we allow our internal critic to have the loudest voice in our head, the work we do to improve ourselves is massively inefficient. By a certain time in life, we all have things we can look back on and wish we would have done differently, but the beauty comes when we master the art of acceptance and trust that there is something to learn with every step.  This process allows us to let go of shame and guilt and the pressure of perfection that curbs our energy and keeps us from showing our true self to the world.  Carl Jung said:

“We cannot change anything, unless we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate it oppresses.”

We must make friends with our inner critic, she is there, and she’s trying to keep us safe...but to live and express ourselves freely, she doesn’t get to win the argument. In Big Magic, a book about the creative process, Elizabeth Gilbert encourages us to let fear come along for the ride, but it absolutely doesn’t get to drive, or even sit in the passenger seat.  Fear gets to ride along, observing from the back seat. Free yourself, nothing is unforgivable, our struggles can become our biggest strengths if we have the courage to let them be seen in the light.  

Daily Action: Write for three mins about three things you are proud of. How can you use these strengths to build the next chapter of success in your life? 

Daily Reframe: Mistakes imprison us, experiences set us free.  They are the same thing, our perspective is what makes the difference.  

With Optimism,

Wendy