What is Intuition?



Intuition is an immensely powerful tool that's available to everyone. I am a big fan of intuition and I speak of it often in my classes andworkshops.

A natural ability, intuition is something deep within us all.  It is apowerful sense of knowing something without a logical rationale for how it isknown or where the information came from.  For many of us, our upbringingduring childhood forced us to abandon our intuition at early ages because itwas considered abnormal, childish or freakish to entertain such an irrationalidea as information being sensed without it ever being learned.

It is more socially acceptable to instead use our rationale and logic tomake decisions and choices surrounding the events that occur in ourlives.  It is more common ?knowledge? that we can only rely on informationwhich we can physically see, touch, feel, hear and measure, as opposed totrusting an innate and unseen force of awareness within.  An intuition maycome in the form of a picture, a feeling, or inner voice, but because it occursinternally, we are taught not to trust it.  It is as if our Westernculture operates on an unwritten rule to only receive and interpret informationfrom the external world as truth.

Recognizing Your Intuition

Intuition is an energy that flows within you like a river.  It is withyou all the time; it never leaves your side because it is you?another aspect ofyour self.

Have you ever had a time where you were on one path going in one directionthen something forced you to stop and change to another direction?  Haveyou ever made a decision to do something unexpected or out of the ordinarysimply because you had a hunch or gut feeling?  Perhaps you've connectedwith someone across the room at a party simply because a little voice insidesaid, ?Go talk to that person.?

I guarantee that on more than several occasions, intuition has guided youractions, behaviors and direction.  Because intuition is a method notcommonly fostered, at least in most parts of the Western world, we are oftennot conscious of its presence and powerful influence.

Trusting Your Intuition Can Boost Your Self-Confidence

I remember a client, who I will call Amanda, who without measurable logic orreason just knew she had to quit her job on a particular day even though shehad no future job to go to and enough money to last her only a few weeks withoutwork.

With nothing but intuition by her side, she quit her job and a week went byin which nothing happened.  Continuing to trust her intuition despite herbuilding anxieties and fears, she focused only on the knowledge that she was toquit her job and wait.  Another week went by and nothing transpired. Amanda could have chosen at that point to panic, question her sense of self,and assume her intuition had led her astray.  Instead of rushing intoanother job search, Amanda chose to continue trusting her intuition. It wastelling her to just relax, sit tight and be on guard for an opportunity topresent itself.

As anyone who has ever been unemployed knows, it is challenging to relaxwhen you don't know where and when your next paycheck is coming in.  Twoweeks went by before Amanda received the call which changed her life.  Itwas a job offer that was totally aligned with her intentions and passions, andthat paid nearly three times more than her previous job! She would not havebeen able to jump on the opportunity if she had stayed with her old job whereshe had to give two weeks? notice.  Her confidence grew considerably whenshe realized she could trust that little voice inside ? her intuition.

Use Intuition to Make Decisions and Choices

Now I'm not suggesting you quit your job or make hasty decisions, but ratherto think of your intuition as your personal cheerleading squad, your first matesitting up in the crow's nest, seeing ahead of you, and knowing which directionwill serve you the best.

Take the time on a regular basis to quiet your mind, go within and simplylisten to what your first mate (your intuition) is telling you.  Yourfirst mate loves you very much and knows where to guide you.  Know thatyour intuition's intention is always in your best interest and will only speakto you in loving, supportive, and encouraging ways.  Having regularconversations with your intuition is nourishment for your esteem.  Yourintuition will only ever tell you how fabulous you are and how you can continueto improve yourself.

When you are tuned in and receptive to seeing, hearing and sensing on theinside in addition to what's presenting itself on the outside, you will beguided with ease toward your intended goals and destination.

Use your intuition to make decisions and choices and let your intuitionencourage and support you.  Instead of relying solely on logic and thefive major sensory systems, sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell - practicelistening to your personal intuition in your everyday life.   Useyour inner voice as the powerful tool it is to undo old habits, changeunresourceful behaviors, and give you loving advice and suggestions. Allow your intuition to lead you to your chosen goals so you can be the bestYOU your intuition knows you can be.

Below are some exercises you can do right now to awaken your intuition andboost your self-esteem.  Enjoy!

Love, Michelle

Exercises to Awaken Your Intuition & Boost Your Self-Esteem

#1: Pick one day this week and for the entire day avoid using any logic foryour decisions and actions.  Choose to use only your intuitive senses toguide you and merely observe what happens.

#2:  Grab a sheet of paper and a pen.  Go into a peacefulmeditation, quiet your mind and open your heart, then ask your intuition toshare with you all the wonderful and unique qualities that form your purpose inlife and make YOU so magnificent.  Allow yourself to receive what you hearwithout doubt and write what you hear on your sheet of paper.  Oncecomplete put the sheet of paper somewhere you can see it at least once aday.  I like the bathroom mirror, fridge or above your meditation table.