Isn't it funny how much time and energy some of us will spend dusting furniture and throwing away useless items when we get a bit of spring fever? Yet, how many of us are still afraid to take a baby step in the direction of our dreams or let go of negative thoughts that only hold us back? As we watch everything begin to bloom and sparkle around us, this is the perfect time to clean up our minds. So, grab your Windex and let's go!

           The first step in our quest for cleanliness is awareness. We need to start paying attention to how much bad press we continue to give ourselves throughout the day from our inner critic. You know, the one who runs continual commentary in our mind and never knows when to shut up! First the critical voice comes along to destroy our confidence and then beats us up for listening to it in the first place. It's the double whammy! Play a game with yourself and notice how many times that critic pops up on a daily basis to make you wrong ("Geez, I left my keys on the countertop - what an idiot!"), make you doubt yourself ("I better not ask for a raise - it's not a good time"), and make you play small ("Even though my company pays for university classes, I don't think I could handle the homework"). Being aware of how often your critic controls your decisions is the first step toward making positive change. However, knowing is simply the booby prize unless you're willing to take action to silence those destructive thoughts.

           The only way we're going to suffocate that cruel voice for good is to heal the hurts, blocks and disappointments of our past because that's where the critic draws its energy. Here's a news flash: You're not alone. Everybody hurts. Everybody has doubts and fears. Everybody has stuff they need to work through no matter how "together" they look on the outside. I believe these uncomfortable feelings are trying to escape all the time, but we keep pushing them back down instead of dealing with them and releasing them for good. It's that release that allows us to breathe life and energy back into our spirit. The process is similar to getting rid of old clothes that no longer fit you or make you feel beautiful. Once you've gone through the painful ordeal of purging items with sentimental value, your closet seems expansive, full of potential and leaves you feeling better about yourself. Anytime we hang on to old "stuff" it does nothing more than clutter our space and lower our energy. Let go of thoughts that no longer serve you to create the space and energy to go after what you say you want.

           Once we've acknowledged and released our deepest pain and fears, it still isn't over! Just like our homes need constant maintenance to stay clean and neat, so does our mind need daily deposits to stay healthy. We can compare our minds to an emotional bank account. How many years have you spent making withdrawals versus deposits? If you're like most people, you're probably emotionally bankrupt when it comes to giving yourself the love and support you deserve. Therefore, I suggest that every time you hear yourself make a withdrawal or negative comment, you immediately make two positive deposits. One to balance the withdrawal you just made, and the second deposit is to move you in the direction of maintaining a healthier balance in your emotional account.

           In addition, when you hear yourself ripping yourself to shreds, stop! Would you ever talk to anyone else the way you talk to yourself? Pretend you're talking to your best friend and give yourself an inspirational pep talk to boost your spirits and keep your focus on your incredible talents and abilities that you're here to share with others. We need to treat ourselves with as much kindness and patience as we do a dear friend.

           Remember, our minds can only hold one thought at a time, and you have the power to choose any thought, any time you desire. It's time to clear away the cobwebs and spend your mind time on positive, nurturing thoughts that will move you towards your dreams. Since our life is just a reflection of our thoughts, isn't it time we clean up the windows of our mind? Only then will we be able to clearly see how bright and brilliant we are meant to be.

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Articles may be reproduced with permission from Colette Carlson Communications.