BY: SHEENA BLAKE
We hear it all the time, “trust your gut.” Our elders say it; our parents say it. Everyone says it. But, what does it really mean? What does it really mean to “trust your gut.”
I have spent quite a bit of time trying to really understand what people say when they make this statement that seems to be very obvious in its nature. But, what happens when you are a person who has a lot of fears in life? What happens when your ‘gut’ is laden with guilt? How do you know which part of your gut is honest and true? How do you know which part of your gut will bring you to the place that you are meant to be?
There was a time in my life when I ran all of my endeavors from a place of guilt. I did more with my children because I felt guilty that I didn’t do enough. I did more work for employers because I felt guilty that they may not have felt satisfied with something that I had produced. And, in the beginning, it all seemed to work out just fine. However, over time, I became resentful of most things that I was doing and people I was doing things for. Which leads me to the discussion of “trusting our guts.”
Knowing that I was making decisions based on guilt made me really ask myself…can I trust my gut? Can I really trust that part of me to make the ‘right’ decisions? My decisions were being determined by a place inside of me that said, “you better do it…or else…” or “if you do it then….”
My ‘gut’ was faulty. So, what were they all talking about? How could I trust it?!
That’s when I started to make some changes. I started to release some guilt. But, how, you ask?…good question! ? Every morning, when I wake up, I say to myself that I trust myself, and I forgive myself for judging myself as less than worthy of an easy life. Sometimes, I just say it. Sometimes, I write it in my journal, and sometimes, I do both. But, it is the way that I am able to ‘clear’ my gut, so I can make decisions that will bring be to the places that my dreams take me. I know, I know. This sounds kind of ‘Kumbaya-ee’ but, honestly, it has really changed my life. Also, my gut is a lot more clear now.
Our instincts or our guts are meant to be trusted. Over time, we unconsciously fill them with fear and doubt, negativity and guilt. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t trust yourself. But, when you find you are making decisions that do not bring you peace, joy or happiness, allow it to be an opportunity to fine-tune your gut, again. Clear it out and start all over.
You deserve to live a beautiful life. It doesn’t mean it will be without struggle…there has to be some struggle. But, when your instincts and your gut are clear and ready, you’ll end up exactly where you need to be.
