"Listen to the voice that celebrates small steps, not the one that demands perfection."

1,500 downloads.

That's the milestone my "Because I Am" book series just hit, and I caught myself doing something interesting: My first instinct wasn't to celebrate—it was to minimize. "But how many reviews did you get?" whispered that familiar critical voice. "Other authors get way more downloads."

Sound familiar?

Then I stopped. Took a breath. Rubbed my fingertips together (more on this simple but powerful practice later), and asked myself: What if success isn't about the numbers at all?

What if it's about showing up? Taking the punch? Actually doing the scary thing instead of just thinking about it?

Here's what I know: Every single one of those 1,500 downloads represents a person willing to support this concept and explore a new way of building confidence in children. That's not just a number—it's 1,500 potential ripples of positive change.

But let's talk about you for a moment.

What voice are you listening to right now in your life? Is it the one that says "not enough" or the one that whispers "keep going"? Is it the voice of fear masquerading as practicality, or the voice of wisdom inviting you to grow?

The Battle Within: Meeting Your Inner Critics and Your Inner Wisdom

Ever wonder why some days you feel unstoppable, while others you can barely get out of your own way?

I've been diving deep into this question through a transformative program I'm currently taking on Positive Intelligence. It's a 7-week intensive course designed for coaches and leaders who help others navigate life's big transitions. What's fascinating is how it breaks down the internal battle we all face daily.

Here's what I'm learning: There's a constant battle happening in your mind between two forces - your Saboteurs and your Sage. Understanding these forces isn't just psychology—it's the key to unlocking your full potential.

The Saboteur Squad: Your Inner Critics

Think of Saboteurs as the "survival gang" in your head. They developed to protect you, but now they're working overtime, keeping you stuck in patterns that no longer serve you.

Meet the most common members of this unhelpful crew:

• The Perfectionist: "If it's not perfect, it's not worth doing." Reality check: Perfect is the enemy of done.

• The Imposter: "Who do you think you are to do this?" Truth: Your unique perspective is exactly what makes your contribution valuable.

• The Avoider: "Let's wait until the timing is perfect." Spoiler: There's never a perfect time.

• The Hyper-Achiever: "You're only as good as your last accomplishment." Fact: Your worth isn't measured by your productivity.

• The People-Pleaser: "What will everyone think?" Remember: Not everyone needs to understand your path.

Enter The Sage: Your Inner Wisdom

But there's another voice, quieter but infinitely wiser. Your Sage self doesn't shout—it knows.

How to recognize your Sage wisdom:

• It comes with a sense of calm clarity

• It focuses on growth rather than fear

• It sees opportunities instead of obstacles

• It feels expansive rather than restrictive

Here's the fascinating part: Your Sage has been there all along. It's the voice that:

• Knows you can handle whatever comes

• Sees potential where Saboteurs see problems

• Trusts in your capacity to learn and grow

Why We Often Ignore Our Sage

So why do we tend to listen to our Saboteurs instead? Simple: They're louder. More insistent. And society often rewards their hyper-vigilant, critical approach.

Think about it:

• When was the last time someone praised you for taking it easy?

• How often are you celebrated for "good enough" versus "perfect"?

• Who validates your intuition over your achievements?

The truth about your Sage vs. Saboteurs:

The key isn't to silence your Saboteurs completely—they're part of you too. The goal is to recognize their voice for what it is: outdated protection mechanisms that often hold you back from your true potential.

In my own journey of publishing these books, my Saboteurs had a field day:

• "You're not a real author"

• "What if nobody likes them?"

• "You should wait until you're more qualified"

But my Sage knew better. It whispered: "These stories need to be told. Start where you are."

1,500 downloads later, guess which voice had it right?

The Hidden Price Tag of Playing Small

I'm watching something interesting happen in my positive intelligence training. When we discuss our biggest regrets, nobody says "I wish I'd played it safer." Instead, I hear:

• "I wish I'd started sooner"

• "I wish I'd trusted myself more"

• "I wish I hadn't waited for permission"

Every day you choose safety over growth, a piece of your potential dims.

When I decided to publish my "Because I Am" series, my safety-seeking mind went into overdrive:

• "Wait until you have more experience"

• "Traditional publishing is more secure"

• "What if you really don’t know what you’re talking about?"

But here's what I've learned about "safety": It's often fear wearing a business suit.

The Real-World Cost of Playing It Safe

Look around. The world is full of:

• Unfulfilled professionals in "stable" jobs they hate

• Parents passing their own unfulfilled dreams onto their children

• People waiting for retirement to finally "live"

• Relationships dying from the safety of routine

• Talents buried under the weight of "practicality"

The math is simple:

Breaking Free: A Different Kind of Safety

Want to know what real safety feels like? It's not about avoiding risk—it's about trusting yourself to handle whatever comes.

Here's what happened when I finally took the leap:

1. The world didn't end

2. My "risky" choice opened new doors

3. My children watched their mother live her values

4. Other parents found courage through my example

5. A community of like-minded souls emerged

Here's your permission slip to:

• Start before you're ready

• Learn as you go

• Make "beautiful messes"

• Collect experiences over certainties

• Trust your instincts

The New Safety Equation:

Every expert was once a beginner who dared to be bad at something new.

The riskiest thing you can do is spend your life avoiding risks.

Simple But Mighty: Practical Tools to Quiet Your Inner Critic

You know that moment when your mind is spinning with "not good enough" thoughts?

I've got something better than positive affirmations or "just think happy thoughts."

The Power of Physical Reset

In my positive intelligence training, I'm remembering something easy and great: Your body can reset your mind faster than your mind can reset itself.

Here are three powerfully simple practices to use daily:

1. The Finger Focus Reset (my personal favorite)

• Gently rub your fingertips together

• Notice the subtle sensations

• Stay with this awareness for 10 seconds Why it works: It instantly pulls you out of your spinning mind and into your body

2. The 10-Count Breath

• Breathe in for 4 counts

• Hold for 2 counts

• Release for 4 counts

• Repeat 3 times This isn't just relaxation—it's rewiring your nervous system

3. The Deep Notice

• Choose any object in your view

• Study it as if you've never seen it before

• Find 5 details you've never noticed This breaks the pattern of anxious thinking and brings you into the present

The Mental Game-Changers

But here's where it gets really interesting. These physical practices create space for powerful mental shifts:

From Judgment to Curiosity:

• Instead of: "I should be further along by now"

• Try: "I wonder what I'm learning from this phase?"

From Fear to Exploration:

• Instead of: "What if I fail?"

• Try: "What might I discover?"

From Perfection to Progress:

• Instead of: "It's not good enough yet"

• Try: "What's the next small step?"

Remember:

An Invitation

For the next week, try this:

1. Pick one physical practice

2. Choose one mental shift

3. Use them consistently

4. Notice what changes

Don't worry about doing it perfectly—remember, we're shifting from perfection to progress.

The Ripple Effect: When You Rise, Others Follow

"Your courage today becomes someone else's permission tomorrow."

Here's something wild I've discovered since launching my "Because I Am" series: Answering your own call creates an unexpected wave of permission slips for others.

The Courage Domino Effect

Last week during my Positive Intelligence training, we discussed how our choices ripple out to affect at least seven generations—both backward and forward.

Think about that for a moment:

• Your courage heals ancestral patterns

• Your "yes" echoes into the future

• Your example rewrites family stories

Here's what happens when you break that pattern:

• You heal backward in time

• You free future generations

• You give others permission to shine

The Living Laboratory of Change

My daughters watched me:

• Write when I was scared

• Publish without perfection

• Celebrate small wins

• Navigate criticism

• Trust my instincts

Then something magical happened...

At 12 years old, my second daughter is now illustrating and publishing her own book. Not because I told her to, but because she saw it was possible. She didn't need permission—she had example.

Your Courage is Contagious

Stories from our community prove this:

The Collective Rising

When one of us steps into our power:

• Others see what's possible

• Fear loses its grip

• Dreams feel more achievable

• Communities transform

This is why I share the messy middle too:

• The doubt before hitting "publish"

• The giving up on illustrating multiple times

• The moments of wanting to quit altogether

• The awkward growth phases

Real courage isn't about being fearless—it's about moving forward with your fear riding shotgun.

Your Turn to Create Ripples

Share your story:

• What call are you answering?

• Which generational pattern are you breaking?

• Who might be silently watching and gathering courage from your example?

Building Collective Courage

We're creating something powerful together:

• A community that celebrates growth over perfection

• A space where dreams are nurtured, not dismissed

• A movement of parents raising confident children by example

An Invitation to Rise

Today, I dare you to:

1. Notice where you're playing small

2. Take one brave step forward

3. Share your journey with someone

4. Celebrate others' courage

Remember:

Start Your Ripple

Ask yourself:

• Who needs to see you succeed?

• What pattern are you ready to break?

• Whose life might change because you dared to change yours?

Celebrating Milestones & Holiday Special

1,500 Reasons to Be Grateful

Sometimes the universe sends clear signals that you're on the right path. Hitting 1,500 downloads of the "Because I Am" series feels like one of those moments.

But here's what really makes my heart full:

A Request From My Heart to Yours

If you're one of the 1,500 families who've welcomed these books into your home, I have a small favor to ask:

Share your experience.

Your review could be exactly what another parent needs to hear to help their child build unshakeable confidence. It takes just a minute, but the impact ripples far beyond:

• Helps other families find these resources

• Guides me in creating more valuable content

• Supports this mission of raising confident kids

Quick Links to Leave a Review:

• [Amazon Because I Am Book Home Page]

• [Goodreads]

📚 Special Thank You Pricing:

• I’m Beautiful & I’m Genius Paperbacks: Now just $9.99 each (Regular $14.99)

• Kindle versions: $2.99 (Regular $7.99)

🎁 Why These Books Make Perfect Gifts:

• Build lasting self-confidence

• Create meaningful family conversations

• Offer tools for emotional intelligence

• Include parent discussion guides

• Feature diverse characters every child can relate to

Share the Gift of Confidence

Know someone who could benefit from these books? Forward this newsletter or share on social media. Let's make this holiday season about building confident kids, one story at a time.

Remember:

Thank you for being part of this journey. Here's to 1,500 downloads and countless moments of children discovering their inherent worth.

With gratitude and excitement for what's next, 

Azizi

P.S. Have questions about which book might be best for a specific child? Reply to this email—I'm happy to help you choose the perfect fit.