NLP Coach Explains How Inner Battles Shape Personal Growth and Change

The opening verse of the Torah portion Ki Tetze discusses war, but not all battles occur on physical battlefields. Bat Sheva Goldstein, an NLP coach and English teacher, explores the internal struggles people face daily, such as fears, self-doubt, guilt, insecurity, and unhelpful habits. These internal "enemies" often lead to self-conflict, including frustration and shame over repeated patterns.

Goldstein draws on Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) principles, emphasizing that even seemingly obstructive behaviors originate from positive intentions. For example, fear of rejection may serve to protect us from harm, and the desire to please others can be an attempt to gain love and belonging. Avoidance behaviors might shield us from feelings of failure.

She suggests that real change begins when individuals stop fighting themselves and instead listen to their inner experiences. Rather than asking "What is wrong with me?" one should ask, "What is this part of me trying to protect?" This shift in perspective can open the door to transformation.

Goldstein encourages readers to pause before their next internal "battle" and consider what their inner resistance is truly guarding. This reflective approach may reveal the path to personal growth and healing.