Inner Critic: The 4 Year Old Driving Your Car

Life is a journey! It can be a easy free-flowing miraculous journey or it can be a journey of wrong turns, dead ends, crash and burns and arduous uphill routes. Some people are able to move forward in the direction of their dreams; others continue to make wrong turns or get stuck in a rut. If it's the latter chances are you have a 4-year old planning the route and driving the car. Why would you continue to let a child that can't even see over the steering wheel direct your life?

And yet you do.

Who is this child?

It is your Inner Critic. It is that well-meaning yet woefully misguided inner child. And, as a misguided child, it is frighten and doubtful about it's abilities and potential. As such, this Inner Critic serves up internal messages of self-doubt and fear as you think, feel, make choices and act as you move through your life. You, as directed by your Inner Critic, are doing the best you can. So this is not about you being at fault or to blame for the stuck in a rut or wrong turn experiences you have had. The problem lies in the map that your Inner Critic has charted for you. It's a map based on misinterpretation and it is incredibly outdated. By following this useless map, you've travelled down wrong turns, experienced crashes, dark roads and stuck up a tree or in the ditch moments. And yet you continue to use the very same map in your continued effort to get to your destination.

Albert Einstein once said, "You can't solve your problems using the same kind of thinking that created them."

You can't get to your destination using the same map that lead you to wrong turns, crashes, steep uphill slopes and ditches. It just doesn't work. You will not get to where you want to go if you keep using the same map you've been using.

So, what is this map?

The map you're using is the belief system you took on for yourself when you were a little child; starting around the age of four. You realized that you needed some guidelines to help you cope and stay safe in your environment. You don't do your homework and parent says "You'll never amount to anything." At that moment you charted a course that will lead you to "you'll never amount to anything". And you will only go down roads that lead to not amounting to anything, not accomplishing anything. You will self-sabotage your efforts to succeed.

Hey! This is not about blaming parents either! Parents are also doing the best they can. They have your best interests at heart. Young children do not typically understand context. They make broad generalizations out of what they see, hear and feel. I ask parents if they've ever said anything that their child has completely misinterpreted and the answer is always, Yes! Children misinterpret things. You misinterpreted a lot of what you saw, heard and felt.

A well-meaning teacher will say, "Johnny will have to go to the end of the line because his behavior was bad today." And Johnny's map adds the route of "I'm a bad person and should be at the end of the line." And so he goes through life going down roads that will make sure he stays at the end of the line. These roads are the choices that you make based on your map, your thought processes, what you believe about yourself and the world. And it is all based on misguided misinterpretation.

Even if you had a parent who looked you straight in the eye every day and, with clear intention, said "you are worthless" and that's exactly what they meant -- it doesn't make it true. You are the one who took on the validity of that statement and made it part of your map. And you've gone through life limiting what's possible for you because you don't believe you deserve what you want to achieve.

"All our knowledge has its origins in our perceptions." - Leonardo da Vinci

Time to throw out the map and get a new one, with a better charted route!

No, don't throw the Inner Critic out of the car! It's part of you. It loves you and was only trying to protect you and keep you safe in your well mapped comfort zone. Just remove the Inner Critic from the driver's seat. Put him in the back seat with a bankie and a sippy cup. You are going to do the driving from now on.

But, with what map?

Yes, you'll need a map. Remember, the map is your thought patterns and belief systems. If you've been going down the road of "you'll never amount to anything' examine your life. Look for experiences where you have accomplished something. Heck, you've learned how to read or you wouldn't be able to read this article. You've learned how to use a computer too! I'll bet you know how to walk and talk. If you had that Inner Critic map when you were just learning how to walk and talk you wouldn't be able to walk and talk very well today. One fall on your butt or one person correcting your words would have sent you immediately off course because the map was taking you down the road of "You see, you'll never amount to anything. You'll never be able to learn how to walk and talk. You might as well give up. Quit now."

The truth is, you've accomplished a lot in your life. If you notice that you've been down the road of "I can't" look for evidence of when "you could". Change your map from "I can't because" to "I can because". Focus on all the experiences of "I can" that you've had in your life. Look at all the other people who have had the "I can" experience. If they can, so can you!

Deliberately and mindfully changing your perspective of who you are, what you can do, and what is possible for your life experience is the way to chart the course that will absolutely, positively effortlessly take you to your destination. And you might even decide upon a better and bigger place to go!

"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go."

- excerpt from "Oh! The Places You’ll Go!" by Dr. Seuss

Valery Satterwhite is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. The greatest gift Membership can give you is to reaffirm the integrity of your own being. Within you lies all the knowledge about who you are, including your challenges and desires. The ultimate mission of the International Association for Inner Wizards is to reconnect you with the incredible power that is already within you and to encourage you to recognize it, use it and rely upon this resource that is your birthright. We simply deliver back to you that which is already your own. I guarantee no wrong turns will be made on your life's journey when you are empowered and guided by your Inner Wizard, your muse and personal guidance system. Get free mini-book "Discover Your Inner Wizard" today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.

Aging: A Powerful Beauty Tip

In today's abundance of beauty lotions and potions, nips and tucks, that serve to resist and camouflage the signs of aging we rob ourselves of the most powerful beauty enhancement resource available to mankind. I'm speaking of the aging process itself.

The prevailing and repetitive message we get in today's media and societal consciousness is that youth is good; old age is bad. Youth is viewed as vibrant and desirable whereas old age is considered a burden and a deterioration of the body and soul. People fear aging and believe that if youth is relevant, they will become irrelevant in the autumn of their lives. Beliefs about age, like other beliefs, shape your experience. If young adulthood is considered the best time of life then old age is viewed as the opposite, a time of failure and decay.

Many who follow such beliefs try to hide from themselves desperately trying to be and stay young. The look upon their reflection in the mirror with horror as they watch their face slowly slide off of their face as the skin loses its elasticity. Some people fear aging so much that they are willing to slice and dice themselves into a sometimes unrecognizable appearance to ward off any evidence of the birthdays celebrated.

I get that people want to look the best they can. I want to look the best I can. Looking your best is about showing your finest self, not resisting yourself or even denying who you are and have become. The truth is, youth and old age have their place within the framework of spiritual growth. Each plays an important role. Old age is a highly creative part of living. People sometimes misinterpret the return to the playful appreciation of life expressed by many in their elder years as a sign of a detachment from the busy and 'relevant' world.

When a person becomes older and retires the mind is freed to use more, not less, of its abilities. There is a return to the luxury of creating with abandon. Shoulds and 'must dos' give way to whimsy. Some believe that this change is a sign of mental deterioration and think that their age has betrayed them, made them less than in some way. Some elderly people give into these beliefs as they view themselves as leftovers, shadows of their better selves and useless. The sad thing is many elderly people allow themselves to become their beliefs to conform to the societal definition of old age.

My father celebrated his 93rd birthday a few months ago. I flew to Miami to be with him on his birthday. While I love my Father dearly we've had a delicate relationship over the years. He didn't know what to make of me and I viewed him as cold and cantankerous. As I aged I realized that the two of us were stuck in what we thought a father and daughter 'should be' instead of allowing ourselves to experience who we are. Over the years my visits with my father seemed to be about whether or not I had a man in my life yet or whether or not my paycheck was big enough. I don't know what his perspectives of our visits were. I wouldn't be surprised if he felt that I didn't see him for who he was either. Truth is, I didn't.

What I saw before me on the day of my Father's 93rd birthday was a man with a glimmer in his eye, several jokes up his sleeve and an appreciation for that moment in time. And he was excited about the day ahead. What a delight! Here was the Father I had always wanted. He was there all the time. I never knew it. I never saw it. While he was busy being relevant in his younger working years, he let go of his creative joyful spirit. In his old age, he allowed himself to return to a state of grace. A state of grace is relevant, vibrant, influential and inspirational if we just take a moment to acknowledge the gift before and within us.

Grace is beautiful. People who live within a state of grace are beautiful. In the years spent busy building careers and hanging onto youth for dear life we are often in anything but a state of grace. We're stressed, restless, desperate, agitated; so busy busy busy doing that we forget about being. Embracing the approach of old age restores our state of graceful being-ness and the light within us shines. Nothing is more beautiful.

Perhaps one day society will cherish and value the wisdom and state of grace found in old age. Perhaps one day we will allow ourselves to openly rejoice our advancing years. Perhaps that day is today.

Valery Satterwhite is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. The greatest gift Membership can give you is to reaffirm the integrity of your own being. Within you lies all the knowledge about who you are, including your challenges and desires. The ultimate mission of the International Association for Inner Wizards is to reconnect you with the incredible power that is already within you and to encourage you to recognize it, use it and rely upon this resource that is your birthright. We simply deliver back to you that which is already your own. I guarantee no wrong turns will be made on your life's journey when you are empowered and guided by your Inner Wizard, your muse and personal guidance system. Get free mini-book "Discover Your Inner Wizard" today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.

Complain Pill: Throw it down the drain!

“Man spends his life in reasoning on the past, in complaining of the present, in fearing future.” - Antoine Rivarol

I was sitting at a local Starbucks snuggled up in a comfy chair with a good book and a piping hot latte when I heard a woman exclaim, "Traffic was a bear getting here! Drivers today are morons and you'd think they would put a traffic light where the entrance to this place is!"

eGads! Three complaints within 30 seconds. And the woman hadn't even ordered her coffee yet.

I saw this woman drive up and park her car. Her brake light wasn't working and she had stuff cluttering the top of her car dashboard. Her quick pace as she nearly ran into Starbucks indicated that she was running late to meet her friend. As she ordered her mocha whipped whatever she gave specific instructions to the person behind the counter to make sure they didn't 'screw up' her order (her words). As she finally settled in to meet with her friend she rolled her eyes as if to say the entire world was filled with buffoons and she the only sane person on the planet.

OoooohhhhH! I giggled, "This is going to be an interesting conversation to listen to".

Yes, I must admit. I eavesdrop. Often. I find it fascinating to listen to how people think. I don't care so much about the topic; I listen for generalizations, belief systems, and thought patterns. I then listen as the other person in the conversation often adds their own meanings, based on their own belief system, to what was said and the conversation builds from there. Very quickly, if not at the onset, the conversation has nothing to do with what is, it is centered in the distortions of what is perceived.

And a lot of complaining is involved.

Why is that? Why do people complain and complain and complain? What do they get out of it?

Studies have shown that women were more likely than men to use complaints as an indirect request for action, while men were more likely to use complaints to excuse behavior or to make themselves seem superior. ("Women and Language" Sept. 22 2006)

Do I hear complaints voiced about the above statement?

Complaining can be damaging to your health, your level of productivity and your life in general. Complaining is not an observance of what is going on, it is far more than mere observation, it is a creative act. Complaining is the act of reinforcing what you don’t want and, thereby, creating even more of it. It’s the act of dwelling on, staying stuck in, the negative.

When you complain, your Inner Critic, that voice of self-doubt and fear, is hard at work. This Inner Critic is working so hard to keep you safe an comfortable in your comfort zone that complaining may have become a daily habit. You may not even realize how much you complain! Habits become so routine that people often don't even notice their own habitual patterns.

The more you complain, the better you feel about yourself. It is the Inner Critic's way of showing you how messed up the rest of the world is and, by comparison, you're not that messed up. Or whatever is lacking in your experience is not your fault; it's the fault of those morons, idiots, and incompetents!

"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain; and most fools do." - Benjamin Franklin

So many people complain that it is often a good common ground from which to start a conversation. And this is what I observed that morning at Starbucks. And again with a client on the phone that afternoon. And again at dinner with friends. And again while watching television. The news and sitcoms were ripe with people complaining about this, that or the other thing.

Complaining has become the latest feel good pill. People gripe and moan about things that are seemingly out of their control so they can excuse what's not working in their lives. The trouble is, the more you complain the more experiences you have of 'not working for me'. When you complain you may feel superior but you don't feel good. When you complain you might get someone to do something but the satisfaction last for only a fleeting moment so you find another thing to complain about because you are, fundamentally, unsatisfied with your life. It's a dangerous vicious cycle.

Complaining traps you in a world of negativity. The negativity, like it or not, is your comfort zone. It's what you know. You don't even know what it's like to go through life, let alone a day, without complaining. When you complain you keep yourself stuck right where you are in the complaint zone constantly on the lookout for more things to be or go wrong. It's what you expect so that's what you get. People always get what they expect at their deepest level. When you complain you are focused upon that which you do not want. And you get what you give your energy, attention and focus to.

Complaining, therefore, robs you of the opportunity to live an exceptional life. Complaining spreads negative energy and negative energy cannot create a positive outcome. It is as simple as that.

How do you reverse the complaining cycle?

Deliberately and mindfully notice your words, the daily conversations you have and the conversations you're exposed to. For the next 24 hours, notice when you voice a complaint and write it down. You'll be surprised how many times you complain in one day! Look at your complaints. Without judgment as yourself what was the underlying benefit you hoped to achieve with the complaint? Were you making an excuse so you wouldn't be blamed for something or wouldn't have to do something? Were you aggravated and wanted to make yourself feel better by letting off some steam?

Ask yourself what was it that you really wanted when you complained? It usually boils down to wanting to feel better about yourself, your experience and your circumstance. Complaining won't get you there. Deliberately finding something good about yourself, your experience and your circumstance will get you to that place of feeling better.

For example, if you're stuck in traffic remind yourself that you have a car to get you from place to place. If the driver in the lane next to you cut you off or is talking on his cell phone remind yourself that you have the good sense and ability to avoid this person. If someone messed up your coffee order remind yourself that this person didn't get up in the morning with plans to put too much mocha in your frappy. The mistake wasn't deliberate. People do the best they can. And while you're at it, lighten up on yourself as well. You didn't get out of bed this morning with the intention of having a miserable day. You're doing the best you can too.

"You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses." - Ziggy

Valery is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. The greatest gift Membership can give you is to reaffirm the integrity of your own being. Within you lies all the knowledge about who you are, including your challenges and desires. The ultimate mission of the International Association for Inner Wizards is to reconnect you with the incredible power that is already within you and to encourage you to recognize it, use it and rely upon this resource that is your birthright. We simply deliver back to you that which is already your own. I guarantee no wrong turns will be made on your life's journey when you are empowered and guided by your Inner Wizard. Get free mini-book "Discover Your Inner Wizard" today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.

Complain Pill: Throw it down the drain!

“Man spends his life in reasoning on the past, in complaining of the present, in fearing future.” - Antoine Rivarol

I was sitting at a local Starbucks snuggled up in a comfy chair with a good book and a piping hot latte when I heard a woman exclaim, "Traffic was a bear getting here! Drivers today are morons and you'd think they would put a traffic light where the entrance to this place is!"

eGads! Three complaints within 30 seconds. And the woman hadn't even ordered her coffee yet.

I saw this woman drive up and park her car. Her brake light wasn't working and she had stuff cluttering the top of her car dashboard. Her quick pace as she nearly ran into Starbucks indicated that she was running late to meet her friend. As she ordered her mocha whipped whatever she gave specific instructions to the person behind the counter to make sure they didn't 'screw up' her order (her words). As she finally settled in to meet with her friend she rolled her eyes as if to say the entire world was filled with buffoons and she the only sane person on the planet.

OoooohhhhH! I giggled, "This is going to be an interesting conversation to listen to".

Yes, I must admit. I eavesdrop. Often. I find it fascinating to listen to how people think. I don't care so much about the topic; I listen for generalizations, belief systems, and thought patterns. I then listen as the other person in the conversation often adds their own meanings, based on their own belief system, to what was said and the conversation builds from there. Very quickly, if not at the onset, the conversation has nothing to do with what is, it is centered in the distortions of what is perceived.

And a lot of complaining is involved.

Why is that? Why do people complain and complain and complain? What do they get out of it?

Studies have shown that women were more likely than men to use complaints as an indirect request for action, while men were more likely to use complaints to excuse behavior or to make themselves seem superior. ("Women and Language" Sept. 22 2006)

Do I hear complaints voiced about the above statement?

Complaining can be damaging to your health, your level of productivity and your life in general. Complaining is not an observance of what is going on, it is far more than mere observation, it is a creative act. Complaining is the act of reinforcing what you don’t want and, thereby, creating even more of it. It’s the act of dwelling on, staying stuck in, the negative.

When you complain, your Inner Critic, that voice of self-doubt and fear, is hard at work. This Inner Critic is working so hard to keep you safe an comfortable in your comfort zone that complaining may have become a daily habit. You may not even realize how much you complain! Habits become so routine that people often don't even notice their own habitual patterns.

The more you complain, the better you feel about yourself. It is the Inner Critic's way of showing you how messed up the rest of the world is and, by comparison, you're not that messed up. Or whatever is lacking in your experience is not your fault; it's the fault of those morons, idiots, and incompetents!

"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain; and most fools do." - Benjamin Franklin

So many people complain that it is often a good common ground from which to start a conversation. And this is what I observed that morning at Starbucks. And again with a client on the phone that afternoon. And again at dinner with friends. And again while watching television. The news and sitcoms were ripe with people complaining about this, that or the other thing.

Complaining has become the latest feel good pill. People gripe and moan about things that are seemingly out of their control so they can excuse what's not working in their lives. The trouble is, the more you complain the more experiences you have of 'not working for me'. When you complain you may feel superior but you don't feel good. When you complain you might get someone to do something but the satisfaction last for only a fleeting moment so you find another thing to complain about because you are, fundamentally, unsatisfied with your life. It's a dangerous vicious cycle.

Complaining traps you in a world of negativity. The negativity, like it or not, is your comfort zone. It's what you know. You don't even know what it's like to go through life, let alone a day, without complaining. When you complain you keep yourself stuck right where you are in the complaint zone constantly on the lookout for more things to be or go wrong. It's what you expect so that's what you get. People always get what they expect at their deepest level. When you complain you are focused upon that which you do not want. And you get what you give your energy, attention and focus to.

Complaining, therefore, robs you of the opportunity to live an exceptional life. Complaining spreads negative energy and negative energy cannot create a positive outcome. It is as simple as that.

How do you reverse the complaining cycle?

Deliberately and mindfully notice your words, the daily conversations you have and the conversations you're exposed to. For the next 24 hours, notice when you voice a complaint and write it down. You'll be surprised how many times you complain in one day! Look at your complaints. Without judgment as yourself what was the underlying benefit you hoped to achieve with the complaint? Were you making an excuse so you wouldn't be blamed for something or wouldn't have to do something? Were you aggravated and wanted to make yourself feel better by letting off some steam?

Ask yourself what was it that you really wanted when you complained? It usually boils down to wanting to feel better about yourself, your experience and your circumstance. Complaining won't get you there. Deliberately finding something good about yourself, your experience and your circumstance will get you to that place of feeling better.

For example, if you're stuck in traffic remind yourself that you have a car to get you from place to place. If the driver in the lane next to you cut you off or is talking on his cell phone remind yourself that you have the good sense and ability to avoid this person. If someone messed up your coffee order remind yourself that this person didn't get up in the morning with plans to put too much mocha in your frappy. The mistake wasn't deliberate. People do the best they can. And while you're at it, lighten up on yourself as well. You didn't get out of bed this morning with the intention of having a miserable day. You're doing the best you can too.

"You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses." - Ziggy

Valery is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. The greatest gift Membership can give you is to reaffirm the integrity of your own being. Within you lies all the knowledge about who you are, including your challenges and desires. The ultimate mission of the International Association for Inner Wizards is to reconnect you with the incredible power that is already within you and to encourage you to recognize it, use it and rely upon this resource that is your birthright. We simply deliver back to you that which is already your own. I guarantee no wrong turns will be made on your life's journey when you are empowered and guided by your Inner Wizard. Get free mini-book "Discover Your Inner Wizard" today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.

Lousy Childhood? Now You Can Be Your Own Parent

You want to improve your life. You're sick and tired of being sick and tired. You are willing to make changes as long as these changes don't disturb what is already comfortable. And you don't want improvement to require a lot of work. You want a quick fix. And you may not realize that even though you don't like it you're quiet comfortable in your sick and tired of being sick and tired existence. So you unknowingly fight back to stay right where you are.

And in that place of right where you are, your head is filled with "I should do" or "I'm supposed to be" thoughts. This self-defeating attitude weighs heavily on your daily experience. I'm not, not, not and I should, should, should. All day long.

You should according to whom? Are you playing the vocal soundtrack of parents, teachers and other well-meaning advisors telling you what you should want, should do, and should have in your life? "You should do this." "You can't have that." "You can't be a whatever and make money." Do you even stop to consider if you even want have, be or do what they suggest? And what you are now telling yourself endlessly that you are not that you should?

Who is really should-ing on you?

YOU!

Stop shoulding on yourself! Those shoulds and must do's are limiting and defeating. They range from unsupportive to ridicule and judgment. Sometimes well intentioned shoulds and musts dictated to you by others are abusive. They can penetrate deeply with hurt, pain and feelings of inadequacy. Self-defeating statements violate who you are. Your self-talk agreement with these statements only serve to separate you from what you really want and, thus, can suck the life energy right out of you. You spend your life swimming upstream fighting against what you really want to reach what you should or must want. And you're tired. And you're sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Stop playing the beat of the should drum that obviously isn't working for you. Be willing to move beyond this comfortable yet unfulfilling spot and play a new tune. You're an adult now. You no longer have to listen to parents and others as you deliberately create the life that you want to experience. Look for evidence of people who can and are doing what you've been told is impossible for you. If they can be, do or have it so can you.

Get out of your comfort zone. Become your own parent. That's your quick fix. Give yourself encouragement to support your real wants in life and give yourself plenty of positive feedback as you move towards reaching your goals, your desires, the life of your dreams.

"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift." - Albert Einstein

Valery is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. The greatest gift Membership can give you is to reaffirm the integrity of your own being. Within you lies all the knowledge about who you are, including your challenges and desires. The ultimate mission of the International Association for Inner Wizards is to reconnect you with the incredible power that is already within you and to encourage you to recognize it, use it and rely upon this resource that is your birthright. We simply deliver back to you that which is already your own. I guarantee no wrong turns will be made on your life's journey when you are empowered and guided by your Inner Wizard. Get free mini-book "Discover Your Inner Wizard" today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.

Lousy Childhood? Now You Can Be Your Own Parent

You want to improve your life. You're sick and tired of being sick and tired. You are willing to make changes as long as these changes don't disturb what is already comfortable. And you don't want improvement to require a lot of work. You want a quick fix. And you may not realize that even though you don't like it you're quiet comfortable in your sick and tired of being sick and tired existence. So you unknowingly fight back to stay right where you are.

And in that place of right where you are, your head is filled with "I should do" or "I'm supposed to be" thoughts. This self-defeating attitude weighs heavily on your daily experience. I'm not, not, not and I should, should, should. All day long.

You should according to whom? Are you playing the vocal soundtrack of parents, teachers and other well-meaning advisors telling you what you should want, should do, and should have in your life? "You should do this." "You can't have that." "You can't be a whatever and make money." Do you even stop to consider if you even want have, be or do what they suggest? And what you are now telling yourself endlessly that you are not that you should?

Who is really should-ing on you?

YOU!

Stop shoulding on yourself! Those shoulds and must do's are limiting and defeating. They range from unsupportive to ridicule and judgment. Sometimes well intentioned shoulds and musts dictated to you by others are abusive. They can penetrate deeply with hurt, pain and feelings of inadequacy. Self-defeating statements violate who you are. Your self-talk agreement with these statements only serve to separate you from what you really want and, thus, can suck the life energy right out of you. You spend your life swimming upstream fighting against what you really want to reach what you should or must want. And you're tired. And you're sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Stop playing the beat of the should drum that obviously isn't working for you. Be willing to move beyond this comfortable yet unfulfilling spot and play a new tune. You're an adult now. You no longer have to listen to parents and others as you deliberately create the life that you want to experience. Look for evidence of people who can and are doing what you've been told is impossible for you. If they can be, do or have it so can you.

Get out of your comfort zone. Become your own parent. That's your quick fix. Give yourself encouragement to support your real wants in life and give yourself plenty of positive feedback as you move towards reaching your goals, your desires, the life of your dreams.

"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift." - Albert Einstein

Valery is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. The greatest gift Membership can give you is to reaffirm the integrity of your own being. Within you lies all the knowledge about who you are, including your challenges and desires. The ultimate mission of the International Association for Inner Wizards is to reconnect you with the incredible power that is already within you and to encourage you to recognize it, use it and rely upon this resource that is your birthright. We simply deliver back to you that which is already your own. I guarantee no wrong turns will be made on your life's journey when you are empowered and guided by your Inner Wizard. Get free mini-book "Discover Your Inner Wizard" today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.

Stop Putting Up With, Start Living

Are you putting up with things in your life that annoy you or drains the energy right out of you? A good majority of people have been carrying around suitcases filled with unfinished projects and things they are tolerating. You could be tolerating an annoying neighbor, excess weight, or a bad choice of home decor. These are things that get in your way and keep you from living the life of your dreams.

You tolerate what you don't like at home, work and in your personal life. You don't like these things but you tolerate them anyway. You don't like the stack of paper that's piled up high on your desk. You get frustrated when you can't find what you want to wear in your disorganized closet. You dread the long commute to work. Your car rattles as you drive and you tolerate the noise in stead of taking it in for repair. Are there science projects growing in your refrigerator?

These are the things that, for whatever reason, you tolerate in your life. Sometimes, they’re minor inconveniences like a dripping faucet or a friend that never shows up on time. People put up with, accept, take on and are burdened by other people's behaviors, circumstances, unfinished business, problems, and 'stuff'. People tolerate their own negative behavior even if they don't like how they are behaving.

People tolerate old and no longer necessary thoughts and belief systems. There are even people who tolerate serious things like physical or emotional abuse. Why is that?

You do not do anything unless you get something out of it. Yes, you are getting something out of tolerating what you are putting up with in your life. What does tolerating allow you to be, do and have. If you examine your tolerations you will Find Excuses And Reasons (F.E.A.R.) to justify the toleration. It comes down to a basic fear of moving beyond your current comfort zone. You don't like your current comfort zone that includes the things you put up with but its what you know and, therefore, safe. No surprises.

So what are you tolerating?

Take some time to look at your life as it is right now. What are you tolerating that you’d rather be rid of? Make a list of what you have in your life that you do not want yet are tolerating. As you think of more items, add them to your list. What are you getting out of putting up with these things, these experiences? What would happen if you stopped tolerating and made appropriate changes? Who would you be, what would you have and what could you do if you were no longer tolerating these things? What is stopping you from stopping your toleration?

As you clear out the clutter, the incompletes, the stuff you put up with you will create a clear path and space to bring in the things and experiences you do want to have in your life. If you want to embark on a road to personal growth and abundant living then you have to clear your runway. Get rid of the debris of tolerations so you can take off and soar!

Valery is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. The greatest gift Membership can give you is to reaffirm the integrity of your own being. Within you lies all the knowledge about who you are, including your challenges and desires. The ultimate mission of the International Association for Inner Wizards is to reconnect you with the incredible power that is already within you and to encourage you to recognize it, use it and rely upon this resource that is your birthright. We simply deliver back to you that which is already your own. I guarantee no wrong turns will be made on your life's journey when you are empowered and guided by your Inner Wizard. Get free mini-book "Discover Your Inner Wizard" today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.

Stop Tolerating, Start Living

Are you putting up with things in your life that annoy you or drains the energy right out of you? A good majority of people have been carrying around suitcases filled with unfinished projects and things they are tolerating. You could be tolerating an annoying neighbor, excess weight, or a bad choice of home decor. These are things that get in your way and keep you from living the life of your dreams.

You tolerate what you don't like at home, work and in your personal life. You don't like these things but you tolerate them anyway. You don't like the stack of paper that's piled up high on your desk. You get frustrated when you can't find what you want to wear in your disorganized closet. You dread the long commute to work. Your car rattles as you drive and you tolerate the noise in stead of taking it in for repair. Are there science projects growing in your refrigerator?

These are the things that, for whatever reason, you tolerate in your life. Sometimes, they’re minor inconveniences like a dripping faucet or a friend that never shows up on time. People put up with, accept, take on and are burdened by other people's behaviors, circumstances, unfinished business, problems, and 'stuff'. People tolerate their own negative behavior even if they don't like how they are behaving.

People tolerate old and no longer necessary thoughts and belief systems. There are even people who tolerate serious things like physical or emotional abuse. Why is that?

You do not do anything unless you get something out of it. Yes, you are getting something out of tolerating what you are putting up with in your life. What does tolerating allow you to be, do and have. If you examine your tolerations you will Find Excuses And Reasons (F.E.A.R.) to justify the toleration. It comes down to a basic fear of moving beyond your current comfort zone. You don't like your current comfort zone that includes the things you put up with but its what you know and, therefore, safe. No surprises.

So what are you tolerating?

Take some time to look at your life as it is right now. What are you tolerating that you’d rather be rid of? Make a list of what you have in your life that you do not want yet are tolerating. As you think of more items, add them to your list. What are you getting out of putting up with these things, these experiences? What would happen if you stopped tolerating and made appropriate changes? Who would you be, what would you have and what could you do if you were no longer tolerating these things? What is stopping you from stopping your toleration?

As you clear out the clutter, the incompletes, the stuff you put up with you will create a clear path and space to bring in the things and experiences you do want to have in your life. If you want to embark on a road to personal growth and abundant living then you have to clear your runway. Get rid of the debris of tolerations so you can take off and soar!

Valery is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. The greatest gift Membership can give you is to reaffirm the integrity of your own being. Within you lies all the knowledge about who you are, including your challenges and desires. The ultimate mission of the International Association for Inner Wizards is to reconnect you with the incredible power that is already within you and to encourage you to recognize it, use it and rely upon this resource that is your birthright. We simply deliver back to you that which is already your own. I guarantee no wrong turns will be made on your life's journey when you are empowered and guided by your Inner Wizard. Get free mini-book "Discover Your Inner Wizard" today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.

The Ego: A Misguided Inner Critic

I spent several weeks envisioning a graphical image of the Inner Critic. I worked with a fabulous cartoonist, Gary Cooper of Cooptoons, to create a gnarly looking, yet lovable and fun creature. I wanted something that at first glance looked scary and at the second glance looked hug-able. The Inner Critic is really a frightened little child. And this frighten little child has the job of keeping you safe and happy. While it means well, this Inner Critic is woefully misguided. It thinks that what will keep you safe and happy is to keep you stuck, right where you are, in your current comfort zone. It knows that you may not like your current comfort zone but it's what the Inner Critic knows and so it feels safe. The Inner Critic will resist, throw a fit of drama, if you try to stretch, grow and move beyond your current comfort zone.

When you observe the ego in yourself,
you are beginning to go beyond it.
Don't take the ego too seriously.
When you detect egoist behavior in yourself, smile.
At times you may even laugh...
Above all, know that the ego isn't personal.
It isn't who you are.
David R. Hawkins, M.D. Ph.D., author of "Power vs. Force"

Yes, smile. Comfort that scared little child with a reminder that you will always be safe. Your purpose here is to stretch, grow and continuously move into newer, bigger and better comfort zones. Tell it that what it fears isn't real. Put him in the back seat with a sippy cup and a blankie and you travel forward on your personal journey of self-awareness, abundance and peaceful joyful living.

"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift." - Albert Einstein


Valery is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. She teaches people how to tame their self-doubt and fear, empower their intuition, truth and inspiration to live a joyous and peaceful life. Everything you need to be, do and have is already within you. Your Inner Wizard is the best coach, guide, guru, teacher and shaman you could ever hope to have. Let your Inner Critic take a back seat, with a blankie and a sippy cup, as you deliberately place your Inner Wizard power in the driver seat as you drive towards your rich delicious life. I guarantee no wrong turns will be made on your life's journey when you are guided by your Inner Wizard. Get free mini-book "Discover Your Inner Wizard" today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.