Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself and
know that everything in this life has a purpose.
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Some years ago one of my clients used an intriguing metaphor to describe what was happening to him. He explained that he kept hearing a certain message about what he should do next in his life. Because the message referred to a pretty radical life change — not something he wanted to take on board at the time — he kept trying to ignore it. He kept ‘turning down the volume’ (as you would on a radio) so that he couldn’t hear it any longer. But, no matter how hard he tried to ignore it, as the months went by the message kept coming back — getting louder and louder until he couldn’t ignore it any longer.
Have you ever had a similar experience? Are there messages right now that are trying to break through the static? Do you keep turning down the volume because it’s too scary or uncomfortable to think about them? Or perhaps you haven’t given yourself permission to explore the possibilities inherent in them?
While many of us use logic to make decisions and set our life course, I believe that it’s really important to listen to our intuition as well. There are certainly times in my life when I’ve chosen to turn down the volume and have later regretted that I didn’t listen more carefully.
In the relentlessly noisy world we live in it can be tough to quieten down enough to let the messages filter through. So you might have to take conscious steps to make space in your life for reflection. Many people find that meditation helps them to still the mind. In her book ‘The Artist’s Way’ Julia Cameron recommends writing a stream of consciousness first thing every morning. Perhaps taking a walk on your own — or making time to sit quietly — I know someone who does his best thinking when he’s out running… whatever works for you.
So, my tip for this week is to keep your eyes and ears open. Listen and look for the messages. Turn up the volume and listen to your own wisdom. Most importantly, when you get an intuitive hit, pay attention to it even if it feels uncomfortable. Give yourself permission to consider all the possibilities. Who knows where they might take you?
Every time you don’t follow your inner guidance,
you feel a loss of energy,
loss of power, a sense of spiritual deadness.
Shakti Gawain
Like an ability or a muscle, hearing your inner wisdom
is strengthened by doing it.
Robbie Gass