Do you ever hear these voices inside your head? One is telling you to do this and the other is telling you to do that. And then comes along a third one being the observer of those two voices and questions: what the hell is wrong with you? You get frustrated with all these voices and decide to get the opinion of another external voice that may help you put your noisy voices at rest.

So that’s your inner dialogue. These voices are the conflictions of your mind. Some may call it “our monkey mind”. It’s exactly what it sounds. It’s jumping all over the place. Can’t sit still. From the left to the right in seconds. Doesn’t take a break. Constantly in motion. Until it gets exhausted and goes to sleep.

These conflicting thoughts happen to every human being. We all do it. It ends up being a normal part of our lives. The same way we get up in the morning and use the toilet, brush our teeth and so on. We entertain this inner dialogue that takes place in our mind on a daily basis, from the moment we open our eyes. And it can start the chatter with something so simple, leading into more complex and disturbing thoughts.

Voice one:

“I’m hungry, I want to eat something.”

Voice two:

“Yeah, but I don’t have too much time. I gotta get dressed and leave for work.”

Voice one:

“Well, maybe I can grab a sandwich on the go.”

Voice two:

“And why spend any unnecessary money, when I can just take a granola bar with me.”

Voice one:

“But that won’t fill me. In another hour I will be hungry again.”

Voice two:

“Oh no, look at the time, I could have gotten up, had some oatmeal or cereal quickly instead of wasting my time here debating. Now I don’t have time for anything. I gotta go.”

Welcome to our monkey mind. This is just an example of how silly we can be. The sad thing, we allow it because we think we have no control over it. But that’s not true. Because ultimately, it’s a choice. We can shut down those voices eventually. However, it needs practice and perseverance.

There are more dangerous types of inner dialogue, unfortunately. The example above is just one of our silly moments. It still describes confliction. It also shows how we created our own stress for no reason.

Life is full of choices and decision-making moments. Every step we take, every word we speak, every gesture with our body, is a choice we make. It’s been taken for granted, however, because we end up like robots, repeating ourselves. This means, we are capable of not thinking and still doing. So why do we pick and choose what to give so much thought to and no thought for the other.

It’s very simple. Fear and uncertainty. When we are calm and at ease, we move along very smoothly in a flow like a stream of water on a river bed. On the opposite hand, when there is doubt, two-mindedness, and uncertainty. When the dominant feelings are fear of the outcome, worry over one’s safety and well-being, we find ourselves on guard, taking extra precautions. Suddenly, we are on high alert. Like there is an imaginary red button somewhere in our mind that gets pressed and now there is an alarm sounding with a flashing light.

And the ping-pong game starts. The ball gets thrown from one side to the other side. One thought here, being questioned, while it gets opposed or second-guessed on the other. There goes the battle.

When does it end? The answer is: never. It doesn’t really end. It’s part of who we are. We live with these inner voices. The voices are not who we are. But they guide us in uncovering the truth of who we are and why we are here on this earth.

This inner dialogue can be damaging. But it can also be motivating to be a better person. If you allow these voices to take over you. Then you lost your battle. If you observe the voices, become aware of them when they happen and control them, then you have won the battle.

Don’t let the inner voice cause you to doubt who you are. The goodness of who you are. Don’t let the inner critic of that voice make you speak negatively about yourself. This will only harm you in the long run. You are not – what you do. What you do or did, is and was a choice. You have an opportunity every moment to choose differently. So choose to freeze your inner dialogue. Be mindful of it. Love each moment as it is .. in the present. Your thoughts about the moment is not the actual moment. It’s just what it is – a thought.