We’ve all experienced the internal tug-of-war between our desires and our “better judgment."

Or even just between the pros and cons of any decision.

Whether it's indulging in a tempting treat, changing course on our career goals, or procrastinating on an important task.

We get caught up in this mental turmoil, endlessly justifying one choice over another.

Have you ever experienced the sudden urge to finish that pint of ice cream, even while on a diet?

It's as if we've temporarily checked out, allowing our subconscious desires to take over.

Then, mere minutes later, we berate ourselves for giving into temptation and we vow to listen to our ‘better judgment’ from now on.

Here is the secret:

It's the same voice playing both sides.

The voice that tempted you to eat the ice cream is the same one that's now berating you for it.

It's a cunning trickster, this mind of ours, constantly playing one side against the other.

At the heart of this internal struggle lies a complex interplay of rigid beliefs and powerful emotions.

This entanglement often leads to frustration and sabotaging behaviors.

This internal conflict fuels itself. After all, resistance requires something to push against.

Our minds, ever the master manipulator, create these opposing forces to justify their existence.

Reflecting on our day to day, we can see how this internal struggle consumes a significant portion of our lives.

So, the question is: 

Do you want to continue letting this burden spiral and consume you?

Without this internal struggle, you quickly realize that life is meant to be lived, not merely survived.

In this moment, and every moment, you have the right to experience joy and celebrate life.

It's our minds that add meaning, comparison, and judgment to experiences that are inherently neutral.

By recognizing the illusory nature of this internal conflict, rooted in unfulfilled childhood needs, we can begin to break free from its grip. 

We must ask ourselves: Do we wish to remain perpetually trapped in the past, or do we choose to clear it from our future?

It's both the simplest and most challenging task.

Paul