I had a really great conversation with one of my clients recently. They have been working on making some significant changes in their life. Much of their motivation has been from wanting to maintain their family structure and keeping their spouse happy. While these are very good reasons to make changes, when we find our motivation from inside us, rather than from an external source, we are more likely to find sustainable success.

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Towards the end of our session, my client mentioned that their gut was telling them an old habit was no longer right for them. It was the first time that I heard them speak about internal motivation and a pivotal moment in their change process. They had an inner knowing of what they wanted to do, and making their spouse happy would be a positive byproduct of the change they wanted to make. 

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There is a quote from Rumi that says, "There is a voice that doesn't use words. Listen." 

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Most of us were taught from a young age not to listen to our intuition. We were instructed to detach from our bodies to accomplish goals, fit in, or any other number of reasons. We pushed that voice way down until we forgot it existed and were not sure if it was truthful when we did hear it.

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But that gut "knowing", or intuition is how many of us make decisions without even realizing where it is coming from. We often know the answer to our problems. It happens before you even have time to think about the situation. Because once we start thinking, well, we all know what happens then. 😂 Doubt creeps in and we begin to question ourselves. We question if that voice knows what it’s talking about and we doubt if we can trust it.

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But, just as Rumi tells us, the voice that doesn't use words is the one we should be listening to. This is not to be confused with the voice that we often label our inner critic, that voice is usually negative and unkind. It is the one that speaks to us so clearly, concisely, and kindly. It’s that knowing that comes before you get lost in your head. You literally feel it in your body.

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Maybe this is a voice you aren't familiar with yet, and that's ok. You definitely are not alone. So many of us are disconnected from that voice. There are ways to find it so you can start listening to it. 

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When you are trying to solve a problem where do all your best ideas hit? Those moments when you can clear your head and all the answers come so easily.

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I have a few places that work for me. One is the shower. Water has a very calming effect on me and gives me a lot of clarity. I usually keep my phone nearby and voice text all my epiphanies so I remember them later.

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Other places that I can tune into my intuition are when I am doing yoga, meditation, pranayama, or when I’m out in nature. These are all spaces where I get out of my mind and into my body. I can get out of my own way and then things become so clear. 

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These are just a few ways I have found to tap into my gut knowing. Where are those places where you find clarity? Are you able to tab into your gut or is it a bit of a mystery? I'd love to hear about it either way. Let me know in the comments.