So we have this visiting teacher at our yoga studio.

In true, open hearted form, I had this instant allergic reaction to her. Her voice was too loud. She talked too much. She turned the microphone up so high there was feedback every time she opened her loud mouth.

And then this interesting thing happened.

In the postures, when my mind tells me, “You can’t do this one. Take a rest.” this teacher’s obnoxious, too loud voice short circuited my own internal carping. I did all 26 postures twice. I breathed. I sweated. I felt good. That too loud voice buoyed me. It took up all the space usually reserved for my mind’s insecure prattle.

The next time your mind does that negative coddling, you know what it sounds like: ‘You better not write, sing act or do anything that is brave, honest or real because you might fail.” The next time, say very loudly, THANK YOU FOR SHARING. NOW LEAVE.”