Do you follow your intuition—that gut feeling deep within, that sense of knowing that is connected with your higher self, that benevolent energy that has only your best interest in mind? How many times have you looked back on a situation or event and thought, “I knew that was going to happen”, or “I wish I had followed my instincts?” Sometimes I listen and follow dutifully like an obedient puppy, and other times I’m more like a disgruntled teenager testing my boundaries.
Some people may think of intuition as a big bolt of lightning there only to warn you of danger or lead you to your soulmate or fabulous next job. But intuition is much more than that.
Lesson 3 of my workbook 21 Lessons To Empower The New Age Kid is Intuition. Here’s an excerpt from the Lesson:
How can you tell the difference between your intuition and ego voice?
Your intuition is connected with your higher self and provides love, clarity, peace, compassion and guidance. It is expansive and inclusive. Your ego voice wants to protect the small, selfish you. When you’re listening to your ego, things may feel like a struggle, usually somebody loses, you may have to justify your actions, you probably won’t feel peaceful or loving, and you may feel limited, not expansive and inclusive.
I also state, “Intuitive thoughts often happen in a flash.”
Below I illustrate three personal experiences I’ve had with my intuition to bring clarity to how this may look in day-to-day life.
Story #1:
On a Monday, my rational mind tried to outsmart my intuition and lost!
Rational Mind: I’ll go get my haircut tomorrow on our way back from the pool since we’ll already be close to my barber.
Intuition: You should go get your haircut today.
Rational Mind: That doesn’t make sense. Then I’ll have to drive from the ice rink to my barber, whereas tomorrow I’ll already be on that side of town.
Intuition: You should get your haircut today, not wait until tomorrow.
Rational Mind: I’m going home to take a nap.
Tuesday morning I texted my barber who said he would definitely be in the shop around 4pm that afternoon.
Rational Mind: I’m so smart to have waited until today to get my haircut.
I arrived at the barbershop at 3:55. My barber was out so I texted him that I was there waiting. No response. I called him, no answer. 45 minutes later my daughter gave me the ‘eye’ and asked how long were we going to wait.
“Let’s give him another 10,” I said looking at the elephant shaped clock on the wall. I finally gave up and left hoping I wouldn’t run into anyone I knew because my hair was a mess.
I drove home thinking, “I should have listened to my intuition.” This is a perfect example of my ego rationalizing away the intuitive thoughts I received. Had I followed my guidance, I wouldn’t have wasted an hour waiting for my barber who had something unexpected come up, then driving back on Wednesday anyway.
Story #2:
One morning I dropped my daughter off at The Apple Store for a two hour camp then headed over to grab coffee on the other side of the mall. As I walked by the Mac makeup store I thought, “I could look for that lip gloss I like.” I immediately pushed that thought out with, “I don’t need lip gloss right now since I only wear it about once a month.”
I passed by the store only to feel myself being incredibly drawn to go in. I finally turned around and walked in. I chatted with the sales lady while she rang up my purchase and told her about my coaching and homeschooling which I rarely do. Suddenly a woman who I hadn’t seen popped up from behind the counter and asked, “How do you like homeschooling?”
“Whoa, I didn’t see you there.“ I jumped back from her abrupt appearance. “I love it.”
“I plan on homeschooling my daughter”, she said. “How did you get started? How long have you been homeschooling? What curriculum do you use?” “What about socialization?” She fired her questions so quickly I had to race to keep up.
We had a fantastic conversation for almost half an hour. Toward the end I said, “So this is why I came into your store. I really didn’t want to buy lip gloss today but felt compelled to come in here.” She agreed and we both smiled.
Intuition shows up many different ways. This future homeschool mom had a need and drew me to her. And I thought it was about buying lip gloss at first.
Story #3:
During a meditation, I had an urge to call someone. She was a friend of a friend who I’d only spoken to a couple of times so I thought it was strange to get this impulse. When I called her she laughed as she answered the phone.
“What made you call me?” she asked.
“You came to mind while I was meditating,” I said.
She then explained that she had gotten unusually upset with a friend and had asked the Universe for help in getting rebalanced. Her request for help was at the same time I felt the urge to call her. We talked for a bit before she returned to work. Later she sent me a text, “Thank you for listening to your guidance and calling me. It was just what I needed to get back on track!
Are you listening to and following your internal impulses? You could be that place of peace someone needs in the moment.
To receive the entire Intuition Lesson and 20 other cool Lessons, check out my workbook 21 Lessons To Empower The New Age Kid. It’s for the young and old alike!