Gate 18: From Wounds of Criticism to the Gift of Discernment

Day 3 of journaling

✨ Gate 18 — The Gate of Correction ✨

For most of my life, criticism was my biggest fear. If someone pointed something out, I’d take it so personally that I’d change entire parts of my life trying to “correct my mistakes.”

It wasn’t until grad school — when I was finally surrounded by people who wanted to be around me, who were genuinely interested in me — that I realized: who I am is actually pretty cool. I didn’t need to constantly fix myself to earn love or belonging.

These past few years of journaling, exploring, and dating myself have built such a strong sense of identity. Now when criticism comes, my first instinct is still anxiety (old conditioning), but the “window” between reaction and discernment is much shorter.

I ask myself:

Does this person know me well enough to be offering correction?
Is this constructive feedback, or just someone projecting from a small glimpse of me?

That pause changes everything. Instead of collapsing into old fears of not fitting in, I can use my Gate 18 gift to filter what’s useful and release what isn’t.

💡 Reflection for the group:How do you experience the energy of correction in your life? Do you notice a “window” between your initial reaction and your more grounded response?

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