Readers, a question: Have you ever heard—inside
yourself—that little voice that narrates your daily life? I’m not always aware
of mine but over the past week I’ve been able to hear it more and it’s getting
my attention.
I’m not talking about the still, small voice of wisdom or
the intuitive rumble somewhere between your solar plexus and belly…but more of
a head (or head trip) voice that is coaching from the sidelines in a less than
helpful way.
OK, let me step way out here on the end of the vulnerability
diving board (Thanks Brene) and tell you that this little persistent voice of
mine offers a pretty consistent commentary on what “they” think or worse,
might, think of me. Sort of like this, “Well, when they see this, she’ll think
that..” OR “If you have that (bag, book, dress, degree, credit …) he’ll see
that….”.
The thing is that it’s a really soft but persistent
voice…maybe cultural, maybe familial, maybe psychotic. Not really sure. What I
am clear on though is that it’s consistency makes it hard to hear though its
very subliminal nature makes it a powerful influence.
Now here is the counter-intuitive part: We are often told to
get more quiet to hear our inner voice and I think that applies to the inner
wisdom “still small voice” but this more active but low-toned nag (and it is a
kind of nag) is heard best when I am busy—probably because that is when I am
most worried and distracted. And its arsenal is distraction. In the same strange
way I’m sure its intention is some kind of help. I do think that our character
defects or quirks are all trying to help us in some way but this one grabs any
form of insecurity and pumps it up.
So I’m trying to listen in more and see what this “are they
impressed?” voice is all about. This is part of me—likely a strategy of a
younger me—something to soothe the girl that felt so terribly, dangerously
invisible years ago—but now? At 60? Really, who is it exactly that I want to
see me?
And the spiritual remedy for this? Believing that a Higher
Power really does see and care.
2 comments:
This paragraph really put it into perspective for me . .
Now here is the counter-intuitive part: We are often told to get more quiet to hear our inner voice and I think that applies to the inner wisdom “still small voice” but this more active but low-toned nag (and it is a kind of nag) is heard best when I am busy—probably because that is when I am most worried and distracted. And its arsenal is distraction. In the same strange way I’m sure its intention is some kind of help. I do think that our character defects or quirks are all trying to help us in some way but this one grabs any form of insecurity and pumps it up.
Thank you so much for posting this.
Shannon--I am so glad this struck you. Sometimes when I write I think, "Oh now they are going to say, "she's nuts"...yeah that's the same voice I'm talkin' 'bout:)
DianeC
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