Silencing the Inner Critic

"Stop a minute, right where you are. Relax your shoulders, shake your head and spine like a dog shaking off cold water. Tell that imperious voice in your head to be still…" --Barbara Kingsolver

That "imperious" voice, so domineering and demanding… whose voice is it?

You know the voice. It's the one telling you what you should do or what you shouldn't have done. It tells you to "hurry up" and "quit being stupid." It can treat you worse than you would treat your worst enemy. So whose voice is it?

How do you turn off that domineering, demanding voice inside your head? 

One of the best ways to turn it off is to find regular moments of stillness. Breathe deeply. Meditate. Pray. Allow the muddy water of your mind to settle and clear.

Ask yourself, "Is my imperious voice telling me the truth?"  If not, what is true?

 "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46.10)