CATALYST NEWS

Eva Dahm, CPCC, MA

June, 2004

Dedicated to your growth and exploration

WHO IS IN CHARGE HERE?

Beginning my work with a new client, one of the first ideas we discuss is the "Gremlin voices". What are "Gremlin voices"? We all have them. They are the voices saying you SHOULD or SHOULD NOT do or say something. The same voices often remark you CAN'T do this or that. These are the past voices of others or our voices making conclusions about things we see or experience.

The messages they deliver are limiting and even belittling. These voices of the Ego keep us small, stuck and repeating old patterns and automatic behaviors.

"Your Gremlin is the narrator in your head. He has influenced you since you came into this world, and he accompanies you throughout this entire existence. He tells you who you are and how you are, and he defines and interprets your every experience. His goal is to squelch the real, vibrant you within." Richard Carson

The advantage of labeling these voices is to become aware of the power you give them over your life and happiness. I recently spoke with a woman who had even turned the voices of well-meaning support people into a nagging, belittling SHOULD. She created an expectation that her whole life would change overnight.

We use many of our 60,000 thoughts each day to hold ourselves back or demean ourselves. Most thoughts are about future worries that never occur, past fears that still haunt us, or long-winded analyses of others. We repeat the thoughts of yesterday today and repeat today's tomorrow.

Wayne Dyer says, "This inner frenzy I call the inner dialogue. It is an omnipresent buzz in the form of silent thoughts. Most of this inner dialogue is a personal inventory of beliefs we've been trained to accept by others. These beliefs are interlaced with doubt because you got them from others. Therefore, your inner dialogue is a perpetual experience of reinforcing doubt."

Become aware of your voices in your mind. What are their messages? Which ones do you want to keep? Which messages will you shift?

BECOME AWARE

We get into habits. We form beliefs from our parents and peers as we grow and then never examine them again. They get locked in. Many of our experiences lock into the cellular memory at a time when we are too young to evaluate them for ourselves. And we wonder why we aren't able to change a habit or pattern?

Becoming aware is the beginning. Just listen and marvel at the crazy worries and fears that sprout daily. If you eat a daily diet of junk, what do you expect to grow? (This is the place to be with the body's sensations. These thoughts produce emotions in the body and sensations accompany them. Negative thoughts do not create joy and happiness. Becoming aware of the body's sensations allows the emotion to be released over time. ) Just notice.

"One thing for certain, as you begin to simply notice your Gremlin, you will become acutely sensitive to the fact that you are not your Gremlin, but rather his observer. You will see clearly that your Gremlin has no real hold on you. As this awareness develops, you will begin to enjoy yourself more and more." Richard Carson

Notice when the Gremlin has run away with your mind. Where is the tension in your body. Thoughts lead to emotions of anger or sadness or fear or joy. When we begin to see which Gremlin thoughts produce what emotions, we can take control. The observer of this flood of mostly useless thoughts is your True Self.

BEAT HIM AT HIS OWN GAME

When we substitute words of choice for the shoulds and oughts, we take back our control. It is key to decide from your True Self. Play with options and possibilities. If you connect with your calm, grounded True Self, opportunities for new solutions will pop up.

Examine when you say "I can't" do this or that. Is it true or not? If it is just an old story to keep you limited and small, take a chance and try it.

Finally, if you decide to do battle with the Gremlin, you have lost. His goal is to capture your attention and pull you away from NOW and from being present to your life. Trust your True Self.

HOW TO FOSTER AWARENESS

Awareness comes when we focus on our breathing or on the senses. Staying grounded and in your body is a place from which to watch your thoughts and the habitual feeling-reactions to experiences. Slowing your mind by paying attention to the breeze or a distant sound or simply to a slow deep breath, can give perspective to the Gremlin thoughts. Carson wants us to enter the world of Gremlin make-believe by choice rather than habit. When we choose, we are present to our lives and not running on automatic.

IMPACT OF AWARENESS

Clients adapt easily to this idea and are able to use it immediately to separate themselves from the constant streaming data of the Gremlin. This allows them the space and the model to reference times when the run-away mind is holding them hostage to the past. Knowing this, they more easily break free to new thoughts and eventually to new patterns.

When you can begin to step back and observe your thoughts, emotions, body sensations and actions, your life will become purposeful and reflect who you truly are.

love and light, eva

Complimentary Coaching Session, Email Eva

Your Sacred Self, Wayne Dyer, 1995.

Taming Your Gremlin: A Guide to Enjoying Yourself, Richard D. Carson, 1983.