I have this little ego check I do, when it starts getting a little noisy in my head.
The ego is that sometimes pesky, other times devastating voice of fear. Sometimes it sounds like a harshly sardonic movie critic casually ripping you to shreds, other times it sounds like the voice of your totally sweet and well meaning Great Aunt Betty who just wants to make sure you don’t embarrass yourself. This voice may sound vaguely reminiscent of some sad math teacher you had in 4th grade who made you feel distinctly stupid. This voice can make an enemy of a colleague or a friend with its rumblings of war and competition. Needless to say, when you are committed to creating your unique vision of an extraordinary life, this voice is a pain in the ass.
So when you are creating-writing, performing, signing off on the deal, painting boldly -and you start to hear the little bugger:
1. Pause and listen. The kind of listening reserved for emergency ice cream dates with your girlfriend who just broke up with her long time boyfriend who was on track to be husband. Totally focused, totally compassionate listening.
2. Then grab a pen and paper and write down word for word what the voice said.
(Ex. “You know, you really shouldn’t use that color it’s a little loud, don’t you think?”, “You can’t write about that. Do you want people to think you’re an idiot?”, “Are you serious? This is just ridiculous. You are such a fraud.”)
Write it out true to form, however painful, however ridiculous.
3. Read it back to the voice. Followed by the words, “I hear you. I appreciate your concern but I’m going to keep doing my work now.”
See, the more you run from the voice, the louder it gets. The more you put your hands over your ears to drown out the sound, the scarier it becomes.
When you take that little voice of fear out of the closet, it’s not so terrifying after all. You see it for what it really is, simple human fear. In fact, that voice of unwarranted terror is sweet really, kind of cute.
And it sure is small. Tiny by comparison to how you choose to live, what you choose to create.
So next time the ego comes a yappin’, please use this little magical trick. It won’t make the voice disappear but it will lighten the load.
On the Horizon
Join us for an hour-long New Moon Meditation Adventure on January 29th.
Online, from anywhere.
Using a dynamic meditation journey, we will tune into the New Moon, to your own Inner Guidance, synced up with wild-hearted women from around the world. This offering will include music, storytelling, meditation, journaling prompts & intention-setting.
Can’t make it live? No worries. All participants will receive a copy of the recording with 24 hours of the session.
"The Circle Leader Training Program at The Wild Woman Project was one of the most transformative and healing experiences of my life. I have received many tools, resources, support, and connections that I will carry on with me forever." ~ Hannah Devin, Graduate
We have Wild Woman Project-trained Circle facilitators is 26 countries, and 44 out of the 50 United States.
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Chris Maddox is the founder of The Wild Woman Project where she teaches women how to utilize the gifts of the Wild Woman Archetype in their everyday lives & how to lead women’s circles in their local communities. She is the organizer & facilitator of the beloved annual WILD WOMAN FEST, a women’s retreat-festival hybrid which fosters a deep connection to nature, a direct experience of the divine feminine & profound spiritual sisterhood among the women in attendance.
An ever student of the great mysteries of existence and nature itself, Chris believes women are holding innate gifts & tools that society at large needs – now more than ever. She is committed to helping women remember their special magic and to bring it forward into every corner of their lives, for the greater good of the planet.
What degree could I get involving music AND creative writing?