Remember my shame gremlins? Those gremlins that whisper we are not enough. Nope, not good enough, smart enough, skinny enough, faithful enough. . .
Today I went back to investigate them as I embark on The Vein of Gold (The Artist's Way) Quest.
I was happy to say that several of my shame gremlins have actually been quieted since last year when I wrote the post. I felt triumphant. I also stared down those that are screaming loud right now, putting up a last fight because I've been shining my light on them and remember those gremlins don't like bright lights.
So, I knew it was time to call them out. Publish them.
Here they are. . .I only thought there were three, but there were more:).
"You must do ALL the things to be worthy."
"You must have the perfect marriage." The gremlins on this one look like Stepford Wives who whisper sweet, constricting lies.
"MORE! MORE! MORE! You must do MORE and be BIGGER!"
"You are not strong enough. Just go back to bed."
"I will shine on ALL your flaws, until you do not see any of your strengths."
Creativity Monster. "You don't have the qualifications, drive, ideas, or strength to produce something of worth. And if you throw out some of that good fairy juice, we are going to lap it up for snacks."
Gossip Monster. "We are just waiting for you to fail, so we can talk about you to our friends."
"You are nothing."
Future Unknowns.
"You don't know which way to go."
This one is a vapor that wraps around me occasionally. It's smokin' hot fake girls with big boobs who say, "We are prettier than you."
And then I came across this WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL picture. I started laughing. I fell in love with it. I saw her as a Grandma who just whispered to me when I heard the shame gremlins, "Not true." She recognized what they were and the power they did not have and seemed totally unconcerned.
During Spring SOULstice, Olivia shared that when she hears something that isn't right, she will turn and whisper to her husband, "Not true." Later that night, when she said something about herself, we all literally whispered to her, "Not true."
"We are the granddaughters of the witches they could not burn." Our awesome SOULstice power custom shirts made by Olivia.
I began to "collect" these grandmas who could gather around me and protect me and whisper, "Not true." Tough old birds who have seen it all and aren't fooled and know where they stand.This is what they said to me and I just typed what they told me.
"Dude. Believe me. The gremlins are smoke and mirrors."
"That stuff they said, 'Not true.'"
"Holy Sheet. It's not true."
"Take THAT. No, not true."
Soulstice Grandmas say, "Not true. Straighten your damn crown."
"Ha! That's a lie. NOT TRUE. Satan just needs to get laid."
"Come on girl, do you even need to check in with me by now? NOT true."
"I don't find any of these lies funny or amusing. Not worth my time. Not true."
"Not true. Now go take a nap. Save your energy for stuff that matters."
"You know your tools. Use them, so you can hear, 'Not true.'"
"Ain't nobody got time for that NOT TRUE crap."
"Not even a smidgen true."
"Honey. Listen to me. If I could smack this into you I would. NOT TRUE."
"Shame Gremlins you have to get to us and we are GUARDING her with, 'Not true.'"
"Get to work. You have things to plan, and grow, and nurture and harvest. Not true."
"I love you daughter. You are a Wild Woman. I see you. I hear you. I love you. It's time. The things you hear are not true. So, hear this truth from me. You are beautiful. You are holy. You are WHOLE. You are worthy. You are ready."
"Don't mess with my girl. That is NOT true."
Man, this was the best ever. I laughed as different Grandmas appeared and wrote down their whispers. I felt my strength coming and the gremlins leaving. If these old grandma's weren't scared, why was I? NOT true!
What are your shame gremlins? What would they look like?
Who are your "NOT TRUE" warriors who are going to tell you like it is and protect you from the monsters?
Brook, you're posts are worth a million bucks! What a creative, amazing person you are to have all these wonderful "godgrandmothers" looking after you. You go girl!
Posted by: Colette | March 29, 2016 at 02:17 PM
Probably my favorite post to date. And that's the truth.
Posted by: Tim | March 29, 2016 at 02:36 PM
Awesome and inspiring! I miss you, my friend! Spring Soulstice looked amazing!!
Posted by: Jamie Garlick | March 30, 2016 at 08:04 AM