I was sitting on a porch overlooking the magnificent sunset and enjoying my coffee. I was thinking, what should I do now? What’s my next step? I came from a small Ukrainian village to Ocean City, New Jersey, on a student program “Work and Travel in the USA”. I spent a marvelous 6 months in the land of opportunities between New York and New Jersey and it was time for me to go back to Ukraine and continue my education.
1) A hunch. What is that?
It was beautiful and warm September evening and I was contemplating my objectives of that trip. I was thinking, I did improve my English and I did make some money, working summer jobs? And even though I didn’t want to go back, I was at peace with going back. My visa was expiring in a couple of days, so I had to leave the country. But there was something within me that resisted the common sense. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but that internal force was getting stronger. “I am not going back!” I was surprised to say those words out loud to myself. As soon as I said it, it really felt like the right decision, even though it was completely illogical and quite risky.
I had what is commonly referred to as an intuitive hunch. That was my inner wisdom that was about to transform my life completely.
“Intuition is the whisper of the soul” ~ Jiddu Krishnamurti
2) What are the ways to listen to your intuition?
We often dismiss our inner wisdom but it is far more powerful than what our intellectual faculties can grasp. Our intuition always speaks to us in the way of those intuitive hunches. Sometimes, they are loud and clear, just like it happened with me that evening. Other times, they are more subtle, like a picture in a magazine that brings some association that is understandable just to you. It could be a feeling or an emotion. The point is, our intuition always speaks to us if we bother to listen to it.
Prior to my decision to stay in an unknown country on my own, I was dreading the thought of going back to Ukraine. Back to poverty, lack and struggle. (I come from a poor family and the prospect of me having a better life was slim in my native country) I kept asking myself, “What should I do?” But there was not much choice. My visa to the USA was expiring soon. The only option for me was to go back.
I learned you develop your intuition and your ability to listen to your higher consciousness by asking a question. It is that simple. You just genuinely ask. And don’t be impatient with the response. Ask and let it go. The answer will arrive when you least expect it.
3) Align with your dream
Although my decision to stay made me question my sanity, I knew it was the right thing to do because it was aligned with my dream. Since childhood, I was dreaming about creating an abundant life in the land of opportunities. Being exposed to poverty, hardship and continuous struggle in Ukraine, my spirit was seeking a higher expression.
Your intuition speaks from your heart and it always represents your best interests. Your intuitive voice is quite strong when you are passionate about your dream. What is it that you want? Have you asked yourself, “Am I walking in alignment with my dreams and heart aspirations?” Your heart knows the way to your dreams but it cannot explain or justify the path in logical terms. Instead, it speaks in hunches, feelings and inner insights.
4) Act on it
When you hear your intuition speak to you, you need to act on it. The universe loves speed. Create that momentum while you are still in the flow. What did it look like for me? I did stay in America. It was very challenging and stretching for my process but I am so grateful for every moment of it. Those experiences have made me who I am today. It is very important for you to act on your intuition. Even if it scares you. Unless it is telling you to jump off a cliff, you will be fine.
Most likely, you will have to exit your comfort zone and enter the cave you are afraid of. But on the other side of the fear is your salvation. Your intuition knows what’s best for you; learn to trust it by acting on it. Your intuition is always capable of seeing a bigger picture.
5) Trust it will work out for you!
Since I am an American citizen now, I know for a fact that my intuition did work out exceptionally well. And it will for you as well. That doesn’t mean everything went smoothly. But I trusted the universe was working on my behalf. Even when nothing was working. Even when I had no idea what I was doing, even when I was stuck. There were tough times when I wanted to throw in the towel and go back to Ukraine, back to safety. But each time my intuition was persuading me against it.
I couldn’t leave the country for the first 2 years after I stayed while my documents were in revision for a green card. It meant I couldn’t see my family all that time. There was no certainty and guarantee that I would get a green card though. There is never certainty and guarantee in life either. You just have to learn to trust the process. Whenever I had Skype calls with my parents, I had that lump in my throat wondering if I ever could see them in the real-life again. But I had to stay strong for my parents and for myself.
What I learned is if you keep going forward, putting one foot in front of the other, you will achieve your goals and success. You have a higher power within you that speaks to you all the time. You need to learn to listen to it, act on it and trust it will work out. I truly and passionately believe if we learn to listen and trust our inner wisdom, our life would flow more naturally. Maybe there would be even less suffering and struggle. Maybe we would always see learning in any setbacks or challenges. Maybe there would even be fewer challenges.
Don’t just rely on your intellect or common sense while you are about to make an important decision. Your intellectual self is always limited. While your inner wisdom which speaks to you through intuition is unlimited.
So, sit back, relax, drink your favorite tea or coffee and allow the space for your inner wisdom to take charge. It knows all the answers. It always sees the bigger picture. Trust it.
source : Anna Simpson