I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the gift of intuition. What is it? How do we hone it? Why don’t they teach us this language in school? How do we meld it with logic, intention and action?
Psychology Today describes it as, “…a process that gives us the ability to know something directly without analytic reasoning, bridging the gap between the conscious and nonconscious parts of our mind, and also between instinct and reason.”
My personal experience in better understanding this sense, I do truly think it is one of our senses, has shown me that once tuned into, intuition enables more ease, flow and alchemy in our lives. I remember testing it on my walking commute when I lived in New York City. My internal programming would always go a certain direction at various intersections, whichever was the most efficient route. I started pausing for a moment and internally asking my intuition which way I should go, and often it was a slight shift.
The results weren’t always mind-blowing, but they definitely were more interesting. Maybe the new way would have me making eye contact with a handsome stranger or bopping into what would soon be my new favorite coffee shop. Following my intuitive nudges anchored me in the moment, got me out of old patterns, had me seeing my neighborhood of many years through new eyes, and enhanced my sense of community.
That practice enabled me to start to understand the language of my personal intuition, and how it gets my attention. Everyone is a bit different, and this tool exists differently in each of us. However, there are common themes. Intuition always feels anchored, loving and calm. Now that I’ve given it space to grow with consistent nurturing, it also always talks to me on my left side. Strange I know, but true. Sometimes I get a whiff of a scent like my mom’s cookies baking at 2 a.m. (Sneak peek, no one was baking cookies.) Other times a song plays on the radio. But always it anchors me in the present moment, the best gift, and usually there’s a lesson with it.
I have found in my solopreneur and coaching journey that when I allow the melding of intention, analytics, empathy, and intuition, followed by action is where the real magic occurs. Sometimes I even kick it up a notch and ask it to show me what I’m not seeing, to show me a solution to a problem I just can’t seem to figure out.
Have you thought as much about your intuition as I have? What would you ask it to show you? What ways does it communicate with you? Let me know.
Email Nicole Beaudin at: nicole@eloiandstella.com
