"I BELIEVE IN INTUITIONS AND INSPIRATIONS," SAYS ALBERT EINSTEIN

 

Me too.  How about you?  This seems to be a time to listen to our intuition.  I've written about this before ("Doomscrolling.  Let's Not," 7/20/20).  How our intuition is emotionally powered; when our emotions are strong, our intuition kicks in.  It takes what is happening in the moment--good or ill--and integrates it with our experience and memory. I know that when I have needed to be brave, or recognize something that I'd rather weren't true, my intuition has been my guide.  It has taught me to rely upon it.  As you read this, are you remembering a time when that has been true for you as well? When because you followed your intuition, you were emboldened to change something important to you?

One thing about intuition:  it exists only in the present.  "This is wrong."  "I know what has to be done."  Or, "This is right."  "Here is what matters."  They say our intuition responds to signs: a snippet of conversation, an email, some words, even a gesture can become a trigger to awaken our inner guide.  That has been true for me.   People's minds find all sorts of reasons (excuses) for doing the wrong thing. But when our intuition tells us something, we can generally trust it.  When we're chasing our tails, that's usually the mind floundering.  Intuition gives us purpose and direction. When it speaks to us we can act quickly and with confidence.  We can do the hardest things.  

I've been reading and thinking about ways to encourage our intuition.  One way is to make space to hear our intuitive voice, space for it to be clear and true.  Some deep breaths might help.  If our world is crashing, and some of ours have been, a pause might provide space. A break-away of whatever length we can manage.  Space to become attuned to ourselves.  Being honest with ourselves is also important experts say. Admit if something feels wrong; don't try to normalize what isn't right.   We can spend years ignoring our intuition while trying to normalize another's misbehavior.  I've done that.  

Other experts say that being creative allows our intuition to flow naturally.  Another reason to paint, dance, write . . . to move through life believing in ourselves.  

These days it's great to not future-trip about what might happen--we've seen how that doesn't work--or ruminate about the past.  But to try listening to our bodies, where our intuition resides.  And if no less that Albert Einstein recommends it, so much the better.