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Monday, March 31, 2014

Trust Your Intuition



I believe in intuitions and aspirations… I sometimes FEEL that I am right. I do not KNOW that I am right. - Albert Einstein



Intuition is your soul talking to you.  When you feel something in “your bones” there is no need for a  logical explanation, that little voice  lets you know when something is safe or unsafe, fit or unfit, right or wrong and you know because you feel.


I met a guy once…  I met him as I would imagine meeting someone who would change my life.  I liked everything about him. He was gentle, nice, funny and so polite.  I loved  being with him, our conversations, but what I like most about him was the way he looked at me… as if I was magic.  One thing lead to another we started dating… but somehow I always had this feeling that something did not click. I would tell him:  “You are too good to be true."

I would often talk about this weird feeling with one of my good friends.  She would tell me that it was just me being crazy, that I was trying to find excuses and I was afraid of commitment!  I tried to brush the feeling off but it was very strong so I decided to talk to him about it… he told me that I had no reason to feel whatever I was feeling … Everything was fine and that he loved me as he never loved before.

He came to see me one day after work, as he would always do and while we were talking I notice a ring in his finger.  I was 18 years old …

Your intuition is the watchful eagle that warns you when something does not click. It speaks through your body, emotions and dreams but because is totally separated from intellect it’s harder for some of us to develop and use it to our advantage.


We can all think back about situation when that little voice told us:  humm… but we simple ignored and did not listen to something that was intangible but felt true. We are too caught up in busy lives filled with daily routine, multitasking, gadgets and stress that we become busy to acknowledge the signs.

Some physical reaction that can be associated with your intuition:

  • Stomach – intuition is often described as a “gut feeling” because that is exactly where most of us feel it … When considering an option, how does it feel in your stomach? Some fears are good fears while others are warning signs. Good fears are usually the  felling of anticipation and excitement, the so called “butterflies” while bad fears comes associated with  feeling of panic or distress.  Bad fears cause alarms through your body and your body prepares for protection. Pay attention.
  • Heart – does your heart feel heavy thinking about the situation? Or it tingle as a warm feeling runs throughout your body?  What feeling would you want to perpetuate?  When you choose the best option, your heart supports your decision.
  • Breathe- Think about the situation and feel your breathing… Is it shallow and rapidly (signs associated with stress) or is it deep?  Clear your mind by taking long deep breaths and decide choosing the option that feels right to you.


Now that you know what intuition feels like, here are 10 things you can do to stay connected with yours:

Take time to be alone
Loneliness sparks creativity, creativity sparks intuition!  When you are alone you connect with your inner wisdom, with the source, the universe, God, whatever you call it...  By taking some alone time and connecting with the source you will engage in deeper thoughts and connect with yourself. By connecting with yourself in silence you will be able to learn the signs and you will be more aware. 

 Listen to you inner voice.
It may be difficult for you to act on a “gut feeling”, especially when society discourages anything that can’t be logically explained… but know that your intuition is the balance point between your instinct and your reasoning.  Pay attention to that little voice. It can be as alarming as a scream but most time is just a soft whisper. If it doesn't sound right, usually it is isn't… listen with your heart.

Practice mindfulness
Be present and devote your fully attention to the task at hand!  Mindfulness is achieved with activities that keep you calm and grounded.  Physical exercise, mediation, keeping a journal...activities that required your full attention, which will help you to quiet your mind. You’ll be surprise by how your awareness can develop by simple busying your hands and silencing your mind. 

Listen to your body
Intuition causes physical sensations. Tune in with your body and learn how it speaks to you. Stop reacting verbally and pause. BE STILL AND LISTEN...
Fell your body reaction and begin to honor and trust those responses.If you are not sure about a situation chances are is not the right thing for you.  If it was right you would know… it would feel right and you would know with every fiber of your being!!!

Create
Creativity and intuition are directly related, practicing one will boost the other. A creative mind is aware and highly intuitive ; it pays attention and it talks in a clear language.Find a hobby you would like explore! Devote some time to it and your mind you’ll thank.You will become more aware, mindful and more intuitive!

 Pay attention to your dreams
Dreams and intuition springs from the same source: your unconscious and inner wisdom. Pay attention to your dreams. Keep a dream journal where you can write them down and check for patterns.

Connect with others
Tune in with your emotions and connect deeply with others. Develop your empathy by listening and bonding with others.
     
     Pay attention to your surrounding
Pay attention and you will start to notice coincidence and surprising connections in your surroundings.  Keep a journal and write down your observations. Once again check for patterns… The universe will keep repeating the same message until you understand and act on it. 

Let go of negative emotions
Negative emotions cloud your mind and conscience. It’s okay to feel angry and/or sad, but don’t let your emotions run your life.  Don’t dwell in, acknowledge them, try to sort it out and understand why are you feeling angry/sad and then LET IT GO!!!

Rest

While you are awake our minds is busy taking in information, emotions, thoughts and images. Only a rested mind can process data by saving the good and deleting the bad. When we sleep our brain resets so we can start a new day with a new perspective. Think about the expression "sleep on it"... we sleep on a problem so we can find the best solution.  We need to give our brain a chance to rest by establish good sleeping habits such as: going to bed everyday at the same time and having night rituals which let our bodies know is time to rest. 

Intuition origin is the Latin root  intuir,  which means "knowledge from within ".  I don't think I need to say more... :)



Joy to all!

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

On Change...

Trying to Name What Doesn't Change

BY NAOMI SHIHAB NYE
Roselva says the only thing that doesn't change   
is train tracks. She's sure of it.
The train changes, or the weeds that grow up spidery   
by the side, but not the tracks.
I've watched one for three years, she says,
and it doesn't curve, doesn't break, doesn't grow.


Peter isn't sure. He saw an abandoned track
near Sabinas, Mexico, and says a track without a train   
is a changed track. The metal wasn't shiny anymore.   
The wood was split and some of the ties were gone.


Every Tuesday on Morales Street
butchers crack the necks of a hundred hens.   
The widow in the tilted house
spices her soup with cinnamon.
Ask her what doesn't change.


Stars explode.
The rose curls up as if there is fire in the petals.   
The cat who knew me is buried under the bush.


The train whistle still wails its ancient sound   
but when it goes away, shrinking back
from the walls of the brain,
it takes something different with it every time.


Naomi Shihab Nye, "Trying to Name What Doesn't Change" from Words Under the Words: Selected Poems (Portland, Oregon: Far Corner Books, 1995). Copyright © 1995 by Naomi Shihab Nye. Reprinted with the permission of the author.

Source: Words Under the Words: Selected Poems (Far Corner Book, 1995)