Do you remember Stuart Smalley from Saturday Night Live? Stuart was over the top with his self affirmations. “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough and doggone it, people like me.” The point he made in those silly SNL skits, albeit a tad bit exaggerated, was that what we think about ourselves really does impact what we do and who we are becoming.
This past week, I spent one of my clinical days in Endoscopy. I hope you never find yourself in that part of a hospital, but let me tell you a bit about my experience. It’s all very rushed. Patients come into a room filled with beds, get hooked up to vital sign monitors, get an IV started, answer some questions, sign a consent for the procedure, and with the help of a competent, caring nurse have their fears relieved (all within the span of 10 minutes). Then, fast as lightning, they are wheeled in for their procedure. Okay, I’ll stop there. I know you don’t really want to hear about what goes on behind the closed doors. Big sigh. That’s all of you reading this, sounding relieved that I didn’t go there.
I get to learn in this rushed environment. As I’m learning and practicing my newly acquired skills I begin hearing these voices. “You should have noticed that.” “How come you didn’t do that?” “That’s important - why didn’t you remember that?” “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” I haven’t heard these voices in years. I guess they’ve made an encore appearance since I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and into an entirely new world for me. I realized in that first hour of Endoscopy that I was getting increasingly flustered. Oh my. My confidence factor was dwindling.
Then, because I’ve had experience with these mean, no-good-for-nothing voices, I stopped them in their tracks. I had a little Stuart Smalley moment. YES, right there in Endoscopy, I had a literal conversation with myself (thankfully not out loud). I told those useless, not needed here, little voices to take a hike. I played the new tape. “You ARE learning. It takes time to acquire these skills. That’s why you’re here. Be patient. Take your time. You’re getting it. You’re going to be a great nurse, Cindy.” Transformation - what a difference that made. Deep breaths and I was back feeling confident, going slow and building great rapport with my patients. I even landed some encouraging feedback from one of the nurses.
Thank you for letting me write from the heart and share bits and pieces of my own journey. You’ve told me it resonates. For this, I’m grateful. Thank you for sharing your life with me, too. It warms my heart.
Now that you’ve heard my “playlist” for the week - what’s on yours? Below you’ll find a contemplation from the archives. I think it’s worth sharing with you again in light of my Stuart Smalley moment.
The truth will set you free,
Cindy
From the archives: What’s on Your Playlist?
What are you listening to these days? Do you have a favorite playlist on your iPod? I do. I'm listening to it right now as I write. Are you like me - do you like to listen to it over and over again or do you mix it up? What music is on your playlists? I've got playlists for my many moods and special events in my life. I love putting a playlist together for a family member or friend (when it's time to celebrate them, when they are in need of comforting words, or simply because we are having them over for dinner). There are memories in my playlists. Trisha Yearwood and Jack Johnson must rate - they've got their own playlists. Who knew you could tell so much about a person by what they listen to?
I'm writing about playlists today because I've been thinking about the voices we listen to in our heads. What gets your "airtime"? What messages/thoughts are we sending ourselves? What messages do you cling to with all of our heart? What do you think about (or "listen" to) when you are doing the mundane (like taking a shower in the morning)? Does truth get airtime or are you shuffling through the lies?
As a coach and someone who is learning to walk down the road of freedom, I know how important it is to pay attention to what messages are playing in our head. These messages are propelling us forward, keeping us stationery or even worse moving us backwards. How do we make sure we are listening to truth and silencing the lies?
Step 1 - Take inventory of what's on your playlists.
Is it truth? Are they lies (they may be subtle)? Pay close attention. What voices do you hear? What are they saying? Identify the negative messages. Search for the truth. Ask yourself who's influencing my playlists? Can the messages be trusted?
Step 2 - Download new music.
Find your truth. If it's not on your playlists now - decide what is true and healthy and what will motivate you towards the positive. Put it on the list. What voices do you still need to hear from? Which voice on your playlist is the most important? Know what your good and true voice (yes, you do have one) is saying - listen closely for it. If you need to ask a trusted friend for some "fresh" music, do it. Once you have found your truth - it's on to step 3.
Step 3 – What’s your truth? Play it over and over again! Give it the airtime it needs. Make sure to learn these lyrics.
Write it down on a post it or 3x5 index card. Make a collage or vision board that highlights this truth. Plaster it everywhere - the bathroom mirror, your bedside table, your dashboard, your desktop. Make it known. Is it a quote? A poem? A song? Is it your truth - will it help you thrive? Ask a trusted friend or coach to help reinforce it. Keep giving it airtime. Send yourself an email/text message with that truth for your life daily. There are many ways to reinforce the good and truthful message. Make sure your playlist is loaded with truth.
Step 4 - Delete the old files.
Don't give the lies airtime. Silence them. Don't reinforce them by listening to them. Stop them in their tracks. When you hear them (and you will from time to time) - tell them to go play elsewhere. Tell them to get lost. Tell them they are useless to you. Tell them you've found your truth and you don't need them anymore. When they persist - call that trusted friend - ask for "truth" reinforcements.
Step 5 - Enjoy that peaceful, easy feeling.
Relish in the truth. Live by it. Be free.
Please note: Every once in a while a "virus" attacks or the old files mysteriously appear - if this happens - go back to step 1 and repeat.
Powerful Questions to Ponder:
What gets your airtime?
What messages are you sending yourself?
What lie are you listening to?
What truth do you want to live by?
