Whether you’re trying to save the world, lose 20 pounds, write a novel, start a business or get a promotion at work, there will be at least one person in your life trying to drag you across the coals for it.

At some point in your life you will be criticized, perhaps in a professional way. Sometimes it will be difficult to accept – but that all depends on your reaction. 

There’s no way to live life without critics, naysayers, and haters. They’re part of the human experience. However, you do have a choice on if you allow them to stop you from living your life.

Follow these strategies to avoid allowing the critics in your life to influence you:
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1) Find your  passion and purpose. If you were doing something that was very important to you, you’d care far less about the criticisms of others. If they can easily throw you off your path, you might want to consider finding another path. Are you living your purpose? If not, determine what you want to do with your life.

2) Understand why people are not always supportive. Sometimes the people that criticize you do it from a place of just trying to be annoying. They enjoy getting under your skin and being noticed. Other times people are not supportive because seeing you do well or the idea of you reaching a goal evokes negative feeling about themselves. They may feel bad about their own life and situations when as they look at yours.

3) Focus on your mission. Train yourself to be more focused and determined when criticism comes your way.  Use your critics as motivation. While some people are intimidated and deflated by the haters of the world, others are able to use the negative comments as a source of motivation. This way, the more the critics bark, the more you’ll accomplish. Most people are distracted by criticism. Don’t be like most people. Learn to use they negativity as a way to push you forward, not pull you back. Use your critics’ words as fuel for your success.

I love to travel! Long trips, short trips, day trips, it really doesn't matter. Have you ever heard the saying, "Let the past stay in the past?" Well, I agree. We should let the memories of the past remain memories and take the lessons learned from the experience. This doesn't mean that past experience won't impact your present or future; however, you determine its level of impact. When it comes to past experiences, let's be honest—it's not the positive experiences we struggle with; it's the negative ones. 

As I mentioned before, I like to travel, and traveling requires packing, except for the occasional day trip. Upon returning from my journey—I am sure you do the same—I unpack the dirty items and put things away. If we think of our experiences like trips, then it's essential to unpack them afterward. Otherwise, we begin to haul around baggage from months and years past that have no place in our present or are negatively impacting your current journey.   

I am guilty of doing this in my life, carrying around negative things from my past. It's not the memory that is problematic, but the emotions associated with the memory that causes the issues. Carrying my emotional luggage prevents me from moving with ease, being fully present, and acts as a hindrance in relationships. The bags that we carry around can be numerous such as rejection, shame, guilt, humiliation, grudges, fear, or even a feeling of worthiness. 

Some of the baggage we carry is obvious. Similar to the yellow, red, camouflage, or polka-dot luggage that comes out of the baggage claim at the airport. You can't help but notice it. When I do my 'Heal the Hurt' talk, this is the first type of baggage I assist you with unpacking. What I have discovered on my healing journey is that as you begin to unpack your bags, you may find that there are other hurts hidden in the crevices of your luggage. Let's call them hidden hurts. These hidden hurts are often the real roots cause of the more blaring issues.  

I am excited to be able to participate in the Bloom Healing Arts Academy retreat in Bali, Indonesia taking place on September 13-19, 2020. During this retreat (which I would love for you to join me BTW), I will dive more into healing our hurts. This is an excellent opportunity to begin the work on unpacking baggage. Unpacking our baggage allows us to not just walk in our purpose, maximizing our potential. I'm excited because there is so much freedom that comes when you unpack, learn from the experience, forgive, let go, and move forward. 

If you haven't considered going with me next year to Bali as part of the Bloom Healing Arts Academy Retreat, please give it some consideration. However, at the very least, start the work of unpacking your baggage and step into freedom, my friend!

You will not regret it! ​

Until Next Time~
XO 
J.Branch