Most of us lead lives of commitments and obligations. If we want our days to be less busy, we look to be more productive and efficient. When we succeed, we call it a win. We win some time, an item off our to-do list, or the pleasure of getting more done in less time. The more wins, the better.
And while this greases the busy-day wheel, efficient days in themselves hardly stack up to an enriching, fulfilled life. If those were truly our ultimate goals, none of us would consent to have children, take the scenic route home, or travel to see distant lands.
We seek that something extra, something deep, something that touches our core and lasts longer than the fleeting victory of a surface-only existence, or one merely for pleasure.
So while an efficient and productive existence is what our overwhelmed calendars might thirst for, we don’t dream of a get-the-job-done life. We crave things like joy, beauty, connection, belonging, delight, creativity and growth that give meaning to our lives.
But seeking intangibles like joy, connection and the like feels less important in the daily urgency of our obligations. We tell ourselves we have “real” work to do, and important things to take care of. And while they may be necessary, in our rush to do so we often drown out the quiet whispers of our inner voice.
Or, we let the inner critic, the voice of our ego, take command because it’s louder. Consumed by our anxieties, insecurities or distractions, we fail to notice the very existence of our true inner voice.
But it’s there. This inner voice, the voice of self, speaks in many forms; when it has wisdom to offer or guidance to prescribe; when fascination strikes or an interest sparks your curiosity.
You might find it easy to dismiss or ignore it if you’re not paying attention, and it’s difficult to pay attention when you’re constantly occupied with what’s urgent, or reacting with high emotion to life’s frequent challenges.
I believe consistently paying attention to this inner voice, this inner knowing, is how you arrive at your truth, and use that truth to align your life and your choices therein.
This voice grows clearer and louder the more you pay attention:
:– it helps you access the steady, centered calm of your unique wisdom;
:– it guides you in turbulent times when you feel lost or stuck;
:– it is your rope out of the dark trenches of hopelessness and despair;
:– it is the first crack in the seemingly impenetrable membrane of fear;
:– it is the voice that urges you to tune out of the ego-talk of comparison, disorder and distraction and tune into self-validation and self-assuredness.
What you seek is already within you.
All you need is to pay attention.
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