Do you have monsters in your head?
In August, I re-upped my Netflix for a few weeks because of a comedy special I wanted to watch. (See P.P.S.)
I also watched “The Witcher” series 1 and found it to be a delicious alternate universe.
In episode 3, Geralt, our friendly neighborhood Witcher, battles a Striga, a cursed woman “filled with hatred for all living beings.” (See P.S.)
The Striga screams. She is hungry and angry and strong and, well, quite good at her job of obliterating her meal.
Ever had a craving for something (or to avoid something) that felt like a primal scream of hunger?
Recently I eliminated a food product to see if it would make me feel more energetic.
I told myself, “Prepare to entertain your inner Striga.”
I even put a beautiful artful drawing of Striga as my phone background.
I decided in advance that I was not going to see Striga as a demanding, terrifying monster.
And it worked!
I would have an urge, hearing the Striga’s scream, “EAT THIS NOW!”
Striga was just me, a woman “cursed” with a craving, and a craving is nothing more than a brain message encouraging me to action.
Want to know what happened?
First, I became friends with Striga.
She would come shrieking and I was actually kind of happy to “see” her. My mind said, “Oh, yes, I figured you’d be here. How’s it going today?” Striga didn’t have power over me. My decision was my source of power.
Second, Striga didn’t find the friendship mutually satisfying. Ha!
Without my “Oh, no! An urge to eat this! I am powerless to resist! Get in my belly!” reaction, well, I didn’t support her purpose in life. I still have the phone wallpaper and I wish she’d stop by…kinda miss that shriek.
Where is my Striga these days? Who knows.
I probably need to set a bigger goal, make another decision that challenges me enough to be worthy of Striga’s appearance.
What about you?
What are the creatures that tempt you away from your dreams?
Befriend them. See the purpose for their being there.
Above all, do not identify with your mind’s creatures and other voices of dissent.
YOU are the one who set the mighty goal worthy of such opposition.
And YOU have the power to triumph, perhaps not with might and fight but with friendliness.
Now, isn’t that a new idea?
Love you madly,
Lisa
P.S. Want to learn about Striga and see my phone wallpaper photo? Check out this fan page.
P.P.S. Bo Burnham’s “Inside” really knocked my socks off! I suspect Bo had to deal with his own inner Strigas to create this work of art with so much detail, heart, and vulnerability. Do you know how much internal resistance artists overcome to bring work into the world? My admiration is beyond words.
P.P.P.S. The Witcher season 2 comes out in December and I will be planning a winter holiday watch of all that cinematic goodness.
