Allowing Your Heart and Spirit to Guide You
Published on 16 Feb 2008 at 10:08 am.
22 Comments.
Filed under Business Development, Feature Articles, Personal Development Strategies, Spirituality & Inspiration.
About two years ago I made a deliberate decision to listen more closely to what my heart was encouraging me to do. Over the years, listening to and following my instincts has been a muscle that has become stronger and easier to recognize. It takes practice and testing the results to deepen that trust. Each time I have felt a strong pull to do something that “just felt so right” and taken an action to move in the direction of what is calling me forward, things have really flowed in my business and personal life.
Some people call it listening to their inner guidance or spirit, hearing God, following their gut, and trusting their “knowing”. I have found when I really listen and trust, the answer comes with such peacefulness. I find myself saying, “I just know what I know. It feels right.” There’s no confusion or internal conflict. It’s right there. Easy.
Combining instinct, intuition, and skills with strategy produces amazing results called FLOW!
How often do you override your instincts because you are afraid to trust yourself? Any regrets?
How often do you listen to your heart’s calling even when it makes no logical sense?
How often do you give your power away to others and allow their viewpoints to pull you away from your heart?
It takes time to develop this muscle! I recommend deliberately practicing being present. Notice what you are thinking and feeling, mentally, emotionally, physically. Your body has an amazing intelligence and is communicating all the time- when you’re feeling stressed, when rest or food is needed, and when something feels right (or wrong). The key is slowing down and stopping long enough to be still and quiet so you can hear!
I’m a believer in meditating and taking time to have fun. I still slip and slide a bit on that and I find that when I commit to regular practices of self-care, spiritual awakening, and introspection, my ability to tap into my instincts remains strong and becomes more refined. Weariness and stress heightens confusion and negative self-talk which makes it a whole lot harder to hear over all that mental noise!
If your business or life isn’t going the way you want, paying attention to the ways you are in conflict with yourself is a good place to begin making some changes. Commit to practices and experiences that bring you inside of yourself (like meditating, personal development exercises, working with a coach!) so that you can move with the flow rather than against it.
Look for opportunities to test what you feel guided to do. While the outcome you expect or desire might be different initially, be open to see the gifts the experience brings that might ultimately bring you what you really want.
It’s a journey that is well worth the ride!
Have a great weekend 
Lorraine
www.powerfull-living.biz
PS. Click here to access your copy of the Aligning with Destiny audio and receive two free downloads to help you restore integrity with your soul. Join Anita Pathik-Law and I for our new program: Having it All: Creating The Impossible. An 8-step bluprint for aligning with your destiny beginning Feb.25th! Learn how to follow your heart and become the Creator of your life! Click here to learn more.
Gamy Rachel on 16 Feb 2008 at 10:32 am: 1
I am with you on that, Lorraine. To have self care set among the top priorities is the key.
Understand that you are recovering from a medical procedure,just want to wish you good health and good wealth.
Hugs,
Gamy
lorraine on 16 Feb 2008 at 10:40 am: 2
Amen Gamy
When self-care is off, everything else is affected.
I’m feeling better although a bit scratchy for a possible cold trying to emerge. It was a minor procedure and was really good for me to do. Thanks so much for the warm wishes!
Hugs,
Lorraine
Pamir on 17 Feb 2008 at 11:19 am: 3
The journey from the head to the heart is definitely one we all need to take. Heart intelligence doesn’t get much attention in neuroscience, but it’s a major emphasis in spiritual traditions. Being absent from the heart is being absent from self and leads to complications that aren’t apparent at first.
lorraine on 17 Feb 2008 at 6:43 pm: 4
I see the invitation to create a bridge between our head and our heart with the emphasis on allowing our heart and soul to become the guiding force in our lives.
So true about being absent from self when we are living on our heads Pamir! Oh, the things we create!
Blessings,
Lorraine
Tom Volkar / Deligthful Work on 17 Feb 2008 at 9:38 pm: 5
I love the randomness of life confirmations that we receive. I came across this article at a time when I too am ramping up my willingness to listen to my inner guidance. I’m not so much influenced by the suggestions of others but by my own hesitation to unleash my totally wild and joyful self. This year I’m not holding back. Thanks Lorraine, for the validation.
lorraine on 17 Feb 2008 at 10:56 pm: 6
What a great comment Tom,
I love those confirmations too. Random or really listening to your inner guidance here too? I was guided to write this post because, like you, I have begun the year with the same intention- to step more fully into my destiny. Let’s support each other to do that!
Thanks so much for your thoughts!
Blessings,
Lorraine
Meg Bertini on 18 Feb 2008 at 7:15 pm: 7
Learning to trust that small, still voice inside, even when you don’t know exactly WHY it’s telling you do something…now that is an art form, but an incredible amount of joy and ease in life comes from that. Well put! I stumbled across your blog and will now check it out regularly!
lorraine on 18 Feb 2008 at 7:40 pm: 8
Amen Meg
I have also found that sometimes that inner voice is so quiet that it comes across as an instant idea that invites action without conscious thought. When that happens, It’s pretty amazing. It’s also easy to miss it.
Thanks for stopping by. Come back again or subscribe!
Cheers,
Lorraine
Meg Bertini on 18 Feb 2008 at 8:29 pm: 9
Yes! That is SO true! Some of the best hits come spontaneously, and learning to listen for them and trust them takes practice…much like using any other muscle, I guess! Alas, the Universe doesn’t always give us the input we want when quietly meditating and already know to listen!
lorraine on 18 Feb 2008 at 8:40 pm: 10
I’m laughing Meg
I too call them hits. I have found most of my insights and inspiration comes in between meditations. Many times when I’m working with a client or when I pause and create space for something to come through. Other times it’s a spontaneous hit to do or say something.
I love when that happens and I depend on that guidance. We’ll get better and better at it over time!
Maybe that’s how you found this blog?
Blessings,
Lorraine
Meg Bertini on 18 Feb 2008 at 8:48 pm: 11
How funny! Yes, most of my guidance also comes from times in between meditations! I think staying open and staying aware all the time, consistently asking for — and then listening for! — guidance is really important.
I think I found you through the google alerts I have set up, but it likely was a hit that led me to follow the link (I get a lot of things on the alerts, and I don’t follow them all!). The great thing is now I follow a lot of them almost like I brush my teeth…it’s just a part of my life now.
Cheers and light!
Meg
lorraine on 18 Feb 2008 at 9:35 pm: 12
Seems we share similar ways of hearing Meg
However you found me, I’m delighted to meet a kindred spirit. I took a peek at your site. Great colors and I might be talking to you when I write my book which looks to be coming closer and closer to happening.
Have a lovely evening. Thanks for subscribing.
Warmly,
Lorraine
Meg Bertini on 18 Feb 2008 at 9:42 pm: 13
My pleasure to be here!
Have a great night!
Meg
Tom Volkar / Delightful Work on 19 Feb 2008 at 8:55 am: 14
Lorraine you said,” I love those confirmations too. Random or really listening to your inner guidance here too?”
More accurately I could have said seemingly random. You are correct. Once we ask for guidance there’s not much randomness to it. I guess there’s part of me that enjoys the delight and surprise in the discovery.
I also find interesting the discussion of the fleeting nature of these “hits”. That’s why I always carry a recorder while driving (when most of mine come.) Don’t you find that even when we miss them — they come back around again eventually?
lorraine on 19 Feb 2008 at 4:01 pm: 15
Amen Tom
Enjoying the delight and surprise in the discovery. What a wonderful way to see things! Thank you.
I’ve thought about carrying a recorder. Sometimes mine come when I’m in the shower. Sometimes it feels like I’m downloading information coming in as a concept. I’m yelling “Wait a minute, will ya? Hold that thought until I get out of the shower and give it to me again”. Thankfully it comes back. Yup, if I miss it, and I do, It comes around again and again if it’s important for me to receive. I’m grateful for the persistence.
Sounds like we see things in a similar way. How nice!
I love your insights Tom. Come back any time.
Warmly,
Lorraine
Pat R on 29 Feb 2008 at 4:41 pm: 16
Lorraine - I like how you talk about the subtle messages and guidance that we receive. I’m learning to pay more attention to that, like you said you did, like using a muscle. So many messages have flown right on by me. I’m learning to use this guidance better and listening more carefully.
lorraine on 29 Feb 2008 at 5:50 pm: 17
LOL. There are still ones flying by me Pat
The more attention you give to listening to and following your instincts, the better you get. At times, I respond so quickly I don’t realize I have listened to something that I was called to do. That’s when it gets fun!
Enjoy the journey! It’s a great ride.
Blesings,
Lorraine
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