Leaning on your intuition

As I'm writing this, the world has slowed down. After 3 months of lockdown, I'm approaching the new year with Sydney's wettest and coldest summer since the 70's (the wettest coldest November I have ever experienced in my lifetime).

So it feels like a perfect winter's day, as we technically head into summer...

I've begun to live a much slower paced, intentional life and it's just so fantastic. I feel more at peace and more connected to my intuition.

It's so easy for me to know when I need a nap, when I'm craving certain foods, when I'm feeling anxious or joyous. And it's all a bi-product of slowing down.

I want to bottle this moment up and hold onto it forever. The calm. The peace. The solitude.

In this place of inner sanctuary, I'm able to more easily access my intuition. I'm going to delve a bit further into what the intuition is, and why I'm savouring this easy access to it.

Firstly, my intuition is my inner knowing. I am (and so are you, so is everyone in this world) connected to a higher power and a higher intelligence. It all sounds a bit woo-woo, and I guess it is. Except that whenever I start to doubt the concept of intuition, I'm reminded of all the times (frequently and most obviously during births and funerals in my life) where i've witnessed uncanny, reassuring coincidences just when I need them most.

My inner sceptic would at this point chime in, and say "Well that's just because that's when you're most in need of spiritual signs. Hence you're looking for them everywhere. Hence, it's just confirmation bias, it's not real." .....But why not believe in intuition? is there any harm in having faith? what's the downside?

Scientifically, people with more faith and a belief in intuition are more resilient when the chips are down. Conversely, the counter argument to believing in faith and intuition is that you'll be "a sucker" and fall into traps that are make believe. You'll overlook reality and see only what you want to see. You'll naively walk head-on into ponzi schemes. But is that really true?

But I don't want to be on the look out for the negative. If I can convince myself to focus on more of the positive, I'm happier and have higher reserves of joy and faith in humanity to lean on when things go awry.

Plus, I don't know about you, but fear and my insecurities pop up anyway. The negative things in my mind pop up anyway. It's not as if the negative thoughts don't pop into my head. They do so, without me really even trying. So a practice in my faith and my intuition is actually a counterbalance to all of that.

What sort of things does my intuition give me guidance on?

Everything. The point of believing, is that it has no limits. At any point in time, on any question, existential or practical your intuition can guide you.

Is my intuition always giving me guidance towards my best interest?

Yep, always. Your intuition is just a part of you that is connected to your highest self. the part of you that is loving, compassionate, wise. The part of you that is fearless. If you follow your intuition you will always be acting out of love, rather than fear. And, I believe that's the best way to move forward for your highest good.

Can my intuition ever be wrong?

No. But your intuition is still a part of you. So if you, yourself don't know the answers in a specific sense, then your intuition will only give you vague, open-ended answers. That might be frustrating at first, but remember that part of faith is wading into uncertainty. It's your ego that wants certainty and a fool-proof explanation. Your intuition will guide you, and help you wade through uncertainty by reassuring you, that you will be okay no matter what. Your intuition is your compassionate friend that holds your hand through the most risky, uncertain moments of your life, letting you know that you have the strength, worthiness and wisdom to handle your darkest days.

So my intuition won't give me 'the correct' answers?

Yes and no. Your intuition won't be able to predict and perform so that your life will be perfect and you will never experience pain. Your intuition won't be able to predict the winning lottery numbers, or be able to forecast whether your next date is 'the one'. Your intuition, can however tap into the lottery numbers that you would like to choose based on impulse and emotion. The numbers you choose will have meaning and joy to you. Your intuition will also be able to tell you whether or not, you truly are connecting to your date, or whether you're giving them a second chance out of your own fears, insecurities and a scarcity mindset. in short, your intuition will ensure the choices you make, are truly yours, unaffected by personal fears and societal expectations. By following your intuition, you will create a life that is truly yours. You can take full ownership in the meaning and joy behind your choices.

So my intuition will steer me away from the 'incorrect' answers?

Yesss, exactly. That date, that seemed nice in person, perfect on paper, charming on profile...yet there's something a little bit off about him...your intuition will be able to steer you away from him/her. Your intuition will be able to pick up on vibes (and vibes don't lie) even when your rational, logical, fact finding self will try and convince you to give your date another chance. It's because the logical brain is missing emotional pieces of data that your intuition has been able to pick up on. The sly, derisive comments that are red flags about larger personal issues. The awkward way, your date avoided a particular topic when asked about it.. the slightly disrespectful tone in which your date described their ex/the waiter/their family member... these are all things your intuition will pick up on.

What about the lottery ticket numbers?

When it comes to something as black and white as lottery numbers, your intuition won't be able to differentiate between the correct/incorrect numbers to win the prize. There's no emotion involved behind that choice, it's truly random. However, your intuition will be able to pick up on numbers that have emotional significance to you, personally. Your lottery ticket will be a reflection of numbers that you felt an impulse towards. The rest is up to fate.

What about decisions like quitting a job? or when is it the right time to have a baby?

Absolutely. Your intuition knows what you want emotionally. Your intuition will encourage you to follow a path that aligns with your long term feelings of fulfilment and happiness. For example, if you're unhappy in your job, but quitting abruptly will wreak havoc on your finances, it's likely your intuition will gently and slowly guide you towards making a plan towards quitting your job. Rage-quitting would be a decision fuelled by the ego, as would staying in a job you hate for a long-time purely for the status, title and paycheque.

Similarly, in the example of when is the right time to have a baby? it's a purely individual choice and a very emotional choice. Your intuition will let you know when the practical and emotional elements of your life have aligned and it's the perfect time for you to have a bay. this might be something you feel internally as 'a tug' in your heart when you see a baby walking down the street. Or this might be something you notice yourself noticing colleagues, friends family members having a baby.

What if I act against my intuition? Will something terrible happen?

No, it's not that something terrible will happen. Rather it's a case of pro-longing the feeling of discomfort and uneasiness within yourself. For example, if your intuition tells you not to go on another date with the guy with the weak vibes, but you do anyway, because you feel scared he's the best out there and you'll be the last of your friends who are single... well then, yes, on the second date, expect your uneasiness on the date to feel stronger. Your intuition will get louder and louder.

If you fall pregnant before you feel ready, with a guy that you don't really trust, your feelings of uneasiness will continue to grow until you carve out a better life path for yourself. Having the baby may still be the best , most joyous thing you ever did. But your intuition will guide you towards the path of feeling better and better. Your intuition will guide you towards situations and people where you feel respected and loved.

If you continue to stay in your job, beyond what you're comfortable with, your intuition will make it harder and harder for you to get up on Mondays. Your intuition will make it harder and harder for you to meet your deadlines and to be warm to your colleagues. Until one day, the pain of staying will outweigh the pain of leaving.