Learning to Trust Your Intuition

“ Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness”
…Eckart Tolle

Well, that sure puts my current life challenges into perspective. Along with personal growth comes uncomfortable change. Growing pains. When we step into our power and own our deepest truth, sometimes those closest to us do not exactly relish the fallout. Owning your truth can be a scary and overwhelming process. It’s easier to keep certain truths hidden from view and blend into your surroundings like a chameleon rather than risk being exposed for who you really are.

But when you take a leap of faith and let your heart and intuition be your guide, fears begin to crumble, doors start to open, opportunities start to present themselves, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles disappear. All of the scary details you didn’t know how to resolve work themselves out … you just need to admit your truth and allow yourself to surrender.

When faced with a scary life challenge, keeping yourself grounded and centered will help you to get in touch with your inner guide, your intuition. Ground yourself by getting outside into nature, barefoot, and connecting with the electromagnetic field of the planet. When I feel overwhelmed or scattered, I stop what I am doing and go to the beach for a long ocean walk. I put on a meditation tape, breathe deeply, look up into the vast sky and open my arms wide to the heavens. I set the intention that I am ready to receive all the good the universe has in store for me. I am open to receiving it all… in whatever form it arrives. Then I walk briskly, breathe deeply, express my gratitude for whatever challenge I am being faced with (because along with our greatest challenges come our greatest opportunities for growth) and ask to be guided to the next step on my journey with grace and ease.

I return from these walks feeling more grounded and centered, calm and with an inner sense of peace and well being, knowing that everything is going to be okay.

On my walk the other day, I took a few minutes to sit and meditate, breathing in the ocean air. I asked for a sign to know if I was making the right decision with a challenge I am facing. When I opened my eyes, a lone bird was flying over the ocean, flapping its wings with all its might as it rose higher and higher in the sky. It reached it’s peak and then gently, peacefully glided along. I watched his beautiful, silent ascent, and then I heard a voice in my head gently say, “it’s time to fly”. I knew then it is my time to fly, to soar to new heights, and not let anything or anyone (myself included) hold me back.

Learning to listen to and trust that inner voice takes time, practice, and faith.

Initially, you may feel resistance…. I mean who is that that’s talking??? It’s just me talking to myself and what the heck do I know?!

Generally there are two voices in that mixed up head of yours, one that softly whispers to you about the next step you should take or the words you should say and then another louder, pushier voice that overpowers the gentle whisper. Which one should you listen to? Which is right?

The gentle whisper is your intuition. It’s your higher self speaking to you, guiding you. The pushy loudmouth is your ego—your fears, guilt and self blame all rolled into one obnoxious voice. Why is it so much easier to listen to the pushy loudmouth and ignore the gentle whisper?

Listening to the gentle whisper requires that we release our fears. Let go of the emotional drama of our daily lives and step forward fearlessly. The gentle whisper doesn’t know what fear is. Learning to listen to that voice, your intuition, will guide you through your challenges gracefully and powerfully with love and compassion being the driving force behind your actions. It will allow you to step into the fullest expression of yourself.

Try it right now. Get outside in nature, get quiet, ask for guidance and then really listen. Listen for that gentle whisper. What does it say?