“To make the right choices in life, you have to get in touch with your soul. To do this, you need to experience solitude…because in the silence you hear the truth and know the solution.”Deepak Chopra, M. D.
With so many choices and the avalanche of information you are exposed to on a daily basis, it’s no wonder that making even simple decisions can be overwhelming and even paralyzing.
What is the basis for the decisions you make?
Fear: In this seemingly chaotic time, many people are making decisions based on fear. The news constantly talks about the unemployment rate, loss of jobs, the spiraling down Dow and so on. What happens in your body when you base a decision on fear?
First and this is a very general explanation so neuroscientists please give me some allowance on this. Your old brain( amygdala) seeks out safety. That good ole flight ,fight and freeze response. When a decision is made from fear, our response is to flee from something uncomfortable/danger whether real or perceived. Your blood starts pumping and your sympathetic nervous system takes over. Your voice pitch gets higher, your brain seems to freeze and survival is your primary goal. This is not the optimal decision making situation unless you are in a life and death situation. Fear promotes scarcity and a contracting within so looking at situation from different perspectives and being open to other possibilities is almost impossible. In addition to our natural tendency to flee uncomfortable situations, you can learn a fear response if exposed to someone who constantly reacts to change with those fear behaviours. Fears run the gamut from “what will people (or my mom, dad, spouse etc) think of me?”, “what if I make the wrong choice?” “I’ll be embarrassed.” “It won’t be perfect.” “I’ll let people down.” You are unable to listen when in a fear state.
Intuition: “the ability to perceive or know things without conscious reasoning.”
This is the sixth sense, the inner knowing. Lots of right brain activated here. It’s the feeling that something is right or not a fit. Tapping into your intuition takes some practice and an awareness of where in your body that you “sense” how a situation is. One of my favorite shows is NCIS. Gibbs the main character often proceeds with a “gut” feeling on what to do next. Others feel a warming and centeredness in their heart; others have a tingling sensation in their hands of get goose bumps when they listen to their intuition. The important piece in this is to tune into what your body is telling you and trust in its knowledge. In using your intuition as a guide, you open yourself up to receive and embrace the Yes of a deeper wisdom and the abundance of possibilities. The intellect’s role in this is only as consultant to look at ‘what is’ in the present moment. Listen to the sound of Silence.
Coach’s Request: Take some time this month to be aware of what you are making your decisions from- fear or intuition or a combination.
When faced with a decision: take a breath, pause, be in the now, go to heart level and ask yourself “what’s the next logical step?” (Abraham-Hicks)
Inner Listening Exercise (borrowed from Happy for No Reason)
- Find a quiet spot, comfortable spot, and sit with a pen and paper ready.
- At the top of the paper write down a question or issue you’d like guidance about. Phrase the question or issue as clearly as possible.
- Close your eyes and take several deep breaths.
- Ask your inner voice the question you wrote on the paper. It may take a few moments until you feel ready and when you do, open your eyes and start writing whatever comes to you. It doesn’t matter whether it makes sense or not. Keep writing until your hand feels like it won’t move any longer, not reading what you have written as you go.
- Now read over what you’ve written. You may be quite surprised as what wisdom has come out. Even a single word or phrase may be the key to your answer.
Next Month: Part II: Making Decisions -Aligning with Core Values and Passions
Part of my signature Listening to the Voice of Your Soul process in the ProPassion, Purpose, & Prosperity Blueprint addresses decision and commitment making. Schedule a complimentary Get Acquainted Activation conversation to start creating what matters most to you. colleen@consciouslivingconnection.com
Much Joy,
Colleen
Colleen
Colleen Crook, a Life and Leadership coach and certified facilitator of the Passion Test(TM), is the founder and owner of Conscious Living Connection and the creator of the Living Consciously with Passion, Purpose and Prosperity Blueprint. She supports and partners with spiritually conscious professionals, executives and consciouspreneurs™ and groups to create what matters most authentically and with integrity. Colleen has served in the Allied Health Field as an Occupational Therapist for over 30 years both nationally and internationally, was the co-owner of a successful network marketing business and a thriving private therapy consulting practice. Sign up for your fr^^ee Gift Bundle on creating what matters most at www.consciouslivingconnection.com
If you're ready to make a change in your life, schedule a complementary Get Acquainted Activation Session by e-mailing colleen@consciouslivingconnection.com
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