Two Truths and A Lie — Inner Critic Style
Dear School of the Spirit Alumni and friends,
Ever heard of the game Two Truths and a Lie? It’s an icebreaker game to get to know others where you share three things about yourself, and others have to guess which are the two truths and which one is the lie.
Hijacked? Exhausted?
This quarter I invite you to play this game with your inner critic — that voice trying to be helpful but doesn’t really see beyond its own fear and therefore only raises your stress level, leaving you exhausted. Yeah, that one. It’s talking in the background and often highjacking our best intentions.
I invite you to respond to the inner critic with two truths for any untruth in which the inner critic seems to be fearfully stuck.
Some ongoing untruths I sense rattling around us currently are:
I am not good enough and do not do enough
Humanity is never going to be good enough or do enough
In other words: Others are failing because I am a failure and I am failing because others are a failure. I have to do more, and I have to get others to do more.
Now, THAT is one EXHAUSTING inner critic! I believe we all share that critical voice, too.
Ponder, Respond, Repeat
So, what are four truths with which we can respond? In order to answer that question, I offer some prayerful ponderings that may allow you and God to create your own responses:
Who does God say you are through scripture and reveal you are through the sacraments of baptism and communion?
What grace-filled and joyful growth are you and God tending to in your life right now?
What quote have you run across that brings you hope and gives you life?
Name all the places love showed up to you and through you this day.
I pray some of these responses give us some truths to respond to our inner critic when it gets stuck, unable to see beyond its own fear.
Lean into the compassionate, love-filled, hope-filled truths that bring life. Place them on repeat for yourself and for others.
❤️ Ashley
Ashley Pickerel Thomas, School of the Spirit Missioner
704-408-4248 | ashleygpthomas@icloud.com
Let’s Connect
If you would like to have a conversation partner on how you sense God inviting you into 2021, I would be honored to talk. Email me and we can set up a time.
BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER
SECOND MILE MENTORING Zoom gatherings
Rev. Ashley Thomas, our SOS Missioner, will facilitate three online gatherings and provide follow-up mentoring where requested. We’ll be addressing how it is with your soul. What’s going well? What’s not going so hot. What spiritual practices is God inviting you into to support your longing for an easy yoked, light burdened sustainable rhythm of life? Last, how has God invited you to incorporate the spiritual practices at your church/group/community? THIS IS A FREE connection opportunity for SOS alumni and the current class. Here are time details:
TIME: Last Monday of months: Sept, Jan, May: 12:00 - 1:00 pm
September 27, 2021
January 31, 2022
May 30, 2022
Register in advance with Ann to receive a zoom link— Starrette@mindspring.com
Creating space for God to strengthen souls and nurture growth toward vibrant wholeness in Christ for the sake of others.