That Voice
I have asked every single person I’ve taught the same question: If you were to take that voice and magically turn it into a person, would you want to be friends with it? The answer is almost always ‘no’. People of all ages answer the same way and I tell each of them but you are with YOU for the rest of your life, so that voice needs to become your FRIEND!
How silly we are – so quick to forgive others but so reluctant to do the same for ourselves.
Lately, I’ve been noticing each self-deprecating thought and just letting it know, in no uncertain terms, you aren’t welcome here.
You are not thought and thoughts aren’t facts!
This is a message I’ve shared in every classroom and every lecture hall and the good news is that it’s actually working on me! The voice hasn’t disappeared but it’s certainly lost some of its power. You are in charge of your thoughts, not the other way around.
There is no escaping you, so you might as well take control and figure out how to truly, and unconditionally love yourself.
This is from my series called Lessons for Every Classroom.
FOUNDER OF !MPERATIVE EDUCATION
After attending UBC and earning her degrees, Jodi taught full-time for over ten years in the public school system creating student-centered curricula to guide her students towards a more knowledgeable and loving view of themselves and others. Jodi introduced topics of bullying, discrimination, mindfulness and positive relationship habits into her classes and celebrated students’ achievements as if they were her own.
