Some cloudy skies are bleak, but one day last week I awoke to a beautiful cloud-filled sky, with numerous layers of dark, medium, and light tones all woven together masterfully. (I thought I took a picture to show you, but I can't find it so I guess I didn't.) While stunning to appreciate, rain seemed inevitable.

I wondered if I had time to take a walk, and when we might expect rain. I thought it might be a day to go to the gym instead. So I asked my little automated friend Alexa, “When will it rain?” She said, “Rain is not expected today.” Not in ten minutes. Not in an hour. Not. All. Day. And Alexa knows everything, right? So, despite what it looked like to me, I decided to believe her.

On my first lap around the neighborhood, it started to rain. I didn’t have anything with me to protect my phone, other than the clothes I was wearing. Had I not consulted Alexa and decided to listen to her, I would have at least honored my instincts and worn a light rain jacket with a pocket for my phone and a thin layer of protection for me.

I learned early on to doubt my voice and my intuition, because my intuition went against what the adults around me were presenting as the truth. They were the adults who knew better so I believed them over my own perceptions. As a result, I grew up having trouble trusting my gut instincts.

I still take other people’s truths over mine more often than I like. Trusting Alexa about the rain is not that big of a deal when she proves to be wrong, but trusting other people’s suggestions over my own intuition when it IS a big deal, is a BIG DEAL.

Our intuition is ours for a reason. Sometimes, we’re challenged to act in ways that go against what might seem like a natural direction for other people to take. When we persist anyway, and follow our own intuition, circumstances usually demonstrate why that choice was right for us, even if it may not have been right for others. I try to see intuition as God’s whispers that are worth believing, but you don’t have to be religious to acknowledge and honor your own gut instincts.

Taking Alexa’s word over mine about the walk was not that big of a deal. I put my phone inside my shirt and got a little wet. When I ignore my internal guidance for bigger matters, I end up putting myself in situations I’m not supposed to be in, where things would’ve worked out better for me had I done the other thing.

There are times when I have listened to myself and times when I haven’t. However, no mistake is fatal and I’m going to learn valuable life lessons either way. But when I develop the muscle of trusting my intuition, life generally tends to go better for me and the lives of those I touch.

Trusting that sixth sense for me could be as simple as honoring the nudge to take myself outside for sunshine and fresh air so that I am refreshed and able to be my best self to others. It could be guidance to end a relationship, or start a new job. It might mean making decisions that don’t make sense to other people. In the end, the only person most of my decisions have to make sense to is me, because I’m the one who has to live with my choices.

Intuition can be strong and other times, barely a whisper. The best way for me to hear it is to make sure that I am taking time to be still and present, regularly tuning into my spirit throughout the day. I’ve shared many times about my failed attempts to develop a consistent meditation practice. I have concluded that the only way to fail at meditation is to quit trying. 

I meditate most days now more than not, even if it’s only one minute. I’ve learned that committing to at least a minute a day of intentional stillness is a practice I can usually sustain. If I do more than that, awesome, go me!

For today, I am wishing you moments of stillness and clarity to practice tuning into your calm, internal voice. Seek wise counsel when needed, but ultimately, trust yourself and your intuition, even if it might not sound like the most logical response to your situation. Our guts don't lie and the more we practice discerning head talk versus gut speak, the better we will be at using this amazing super power.

May it go well with you, today and always. (And if it looks like rain, take a jacket or an umbrella! Like everyone else, Alexa can sometimes make mistakes.)