I hear voices. I'm sure that a shrink would have a fancy-schmancy name for that, but in fact those voices are my own, inside my head.
Sometimes I say things to myself that I would never ever consider saying to someone I don't like. That voice nags me and would have me believe that I'm inadequate, not good enough and not deserving.
When my other voice interrupts, she tells me that I am a good person who works hard, and deserves to have a great life. Deep in my heart, I know she is right. I'm a glass-half-full kind of person, yet, sometimes getting that nasty voice to shut up and go away isn't easy.
How do I do it? She is silenced when I feel satisfied with my life, when I choose to live my life with both meaning and pleasure. Sometimes, it is something as simple as pursuing a passion that helps me relax and makes me happy.
For me, gardening really is cheaper than therapy, but when our Canadian climate doesn't co-operate with my needs, I find other creative and worthwhile things do to that will engage my mind and soul.
So what am I doing now? Working on a program I initiated last winter; gathering up new pajamas for children in need who are temporarily living in local shelters, group homes or temporary housing. Visit www.thepajamaprogram.com
