QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Mix a little foolishness with your serious plans. It is lovely to be silly at the right moment.”
– Horace
IDEA OF THE DAY
Last week, we explored how our critical mind can be labeled as a “Saboteur”—those voices in your head that generate negative emotions as you navigate life’s challenges. They represent the automatic patterns that dictate how you think, feel, and respond.
Whether your inner voice is focused on controlling a situation, pleasing others, avoiding challenges, or rationalizing issues, each tendency reflects a strength that is being used in overdrive:
- The Avoider: Seeks harmony and peace.
- The Rationalizer: Naturally aims to be objective.
- The Pleaser: Thrives on giving, empathy, and saying “yes.”
- The Controller: Is action-oriented, decisive, and knows what they want.
These are all beautiful strengths. But what happens when they go to an extreme? Perhaps you:
- Feel stuck in indecision as a way to avoid uncomfortable feelings.
- Struggle to empathize with others.
- Say “yes” to too many commitments, leading to resentment.
- Feel exhausted from constantly pushing to make things happen.
Do you see how a strength, when taken to an extreme, can become a saboteur in your mind?
So, what can we do about it, Joyna?
We can playfully catch the saboteurs when we notice them. Whenever you sense yourself leaning too far in one direction or slipping into an old thought pattern, say, “Ah HAH! There you are, avoider saboteur! I caught you!” And if it feels good, do a little dance to celebrate catching your saboteur this time around.
The more you practice catching and labeling your saboteurs, the easier it becomes to release their hold on you and restore balance to your strengths.
Let’s be a little silly and give it a try this week!
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Who is your go-to silly person in your life?
…Maybe it’s a good time to send them a message (wink wink!)