DETERMINATION

When Things Are Going Well, the Negative Voices Can Creep Back In

Identify where they come from and what they want.

A few days ago, I shared with friends it was a day my demons came out to play. They milled about in the background of my mind with faint grumblings I forcefully tuned out. I was quieter on the outside to give my inside voice the power, focus, and sharp tongue needed to deny them entry into my life again. They see it as their mental playground, but I continue to put up fences to keep them out, construct new sturdy equipment to build a stronger foundation, and only invite the mindful angels in my life to stay and play.

Where are the voices coming from now?

We all have emotional and spiritual thirsts and meaningful desires, craving nourishment to fulfill our hearts and souls.

I knew my cynical voices could come back quietly or in full force megaphone style. I thought I made adequate preparations, but it’s harder to avoid the enticement back when they start sounding like friends.

So, go ahead and greet them from afar. Observe, listen, reflect, and stand your ground.

Are they testing you?

Now is an opportunity to practice the pause. Don’t make any sudden movements or decisions. Pause before reacting.

Are they tempting you?

Does your old way of life sound comforting with fewer obstacles to overcome? Remember the consequences of the path you previously followed.

Are they telling you more lies?

Do you hear one basic tempting sales pitch followed by ten embellishments used to sway your vote back to the dark side? Please read the fine print to see where it loses your soul once again. Stand back to interpret the bigger picture.

What do the voices want this time?

The voices already have a game plan, so you too must prep for your counterattack. Outline priorities and values in your renewed life. Do the voices oppose any of that? Pause and ask what they want from you.

Do they want to control you?

Since no one has complete control of their future, does that unknown set up the voices wanting to gain back structure you could depend on even though it was debilitating?

Remind yourself of how little control you had when you were imprisoned and paralyzed while waiting for approval to function in life. Look at how your recovered life is or can be if you are still on that path accepting your freedom to choose and honor the joys, no longer having to wait.

Do they want to hold you back?

When the negative voices maintain an intense dialogue, you remain stuck, never having to change.

Be ready to give your speech of self-affirmations, love-talk, and transform your doubts to hope.

Do they want to make you fail, so you’ll depend on them again?

Negativity has a goal of failure on your part. That determines its success.

Failure is the pull-up assist band to courage completion. Sometimes we can’t get all the way up over the bar without needing that attachment to make it.

A fail can be the caption to frame one in the images of how your story plays out. Hold on to see the story in its entirety.

What’s missing in your path forward?

I realized I needed to graciously permit myself to move on from my past, my demons, waiting on someone else to approve this for me, and decided to make my own choices for the rest of my life’s journey.

Our inflicted scars prepare us to grow, heal and understand what we’ve been through and how strong we are for what’s ahead of us.

How do you stay on the right path?

It isn’t essential that you completely silence the voices. Use any that are recurring, no matter how frequent or periodic, to your benefit.

Are they only around now to alert you for the protection of your better life? I took all my cues and discovered their purpose was to show my limits in my recovery and renewed life energy. I realized they would often whisper when I needed to say no to an additional responsibility or activity. I could feel the mental pressure building up and emotional aches when weighing my options making that decision. Challenges are good and give you more clarity. When they put a muzzle on your courageous voice and open a door you no longer want to step through; it’s time to assert your positive life choice.

Bid a farewell to your past, stay consciously present to become aware of the blessings around you, and keep moving forward in your daily transformation.

Thank you for reading. Please enjoy my profile article and other stories and poems I would like to share.

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