Looking back over the last few days, we’ve talked about examining qualities that have been subject to criticism or shame, embracing them, and challenging them.

As you considered those qualities, you might have discovered that you have taken on the job of criticizing and censoring yourself.

If your parents thought certain subjects were shameful, you might avoid them. If friends or spouses appreciated your creative work only when it had financial value, you might shy away from starting a project that might not pay commercial dividends. If someone criticized your skills, genre, or ideas, you might unconsciously choose projects that help you avoid similar criticisms.

For today, think about how you censor yourself. What do you do when confronted with ideas or concepts other people have criticized or diminished?