What's that you said? Tuning into the frequency of your inner voice

“You have the gift of a brilliant internal guardian that stands ready to warn you of hazards and guide you through risky situations.”-Gavin de Becker,The Gift of Fear.It goes by many names: intuition, the universe, going with your gut, an epiphany, the a-ha or lightbulb moment. But regardless of how it is classified, how do we recognize our inner voice and why is it important? Why do we sometimes mute it or stop listening altogether?The increasing popularity of mindfulness and meditation comes in response to living in an incredibly busy world with lives full of responsibility. Often this comes at the cost of our physical and mental health. Moments of solitude have to be scheduled in between work and parenting responsibilities. Furthermore, all kinds of societal norms and values dictate to us who we should be, what we should be doing and what we need to change until it is easy to feel overwhelmed. The result is feeling burned out and disconnected from who we really are. These outside sources sometimes scream loud enough to obliterate what we really need to hear and can be identified easily because their purpose is to somehow hold you back.You don’t exercise enoughYou really blew that board meetingIf you make the wrong decision, this will not end well.Your inner voice represents truth- your truth, what is best for you. It nudges you in a kind and peaceful way towards reaching your full potential or realizing the truth of a situation or decision. Keep your individuality in mind. What is working for your best friend may be completely different than what will work for you. Resist boxing yourself into a paradigm where you may not belong. Life is not one-size-fits-all.You are on the right pathYour input really matteredWhat you just did was very kindAnd sometimes, it can be a warning, of something approaching or to buffer a difficult event that’s impending.Change is comingIt will be okayYou are strong enough to do thisCharacteristics of your inner voice:-It removes anxiety-It clarifies your purpose short & long term-It guides gently, without force or coercion-Decision-making becomes simplified as you trust yourself and eliminate self-doubt-It fosters creativity and kindness to others-It protects youKeep in mind if the thoughts and ideas coming to you do not share these characteristics or encourage harm to yourself or others, seek professional help. For example: after the birth of my third child, I struggled with postpartum depression. This was an era where I had to focus on myself and simplifying my life while dealing with the issue at hand. I relied on my counsellor and my family doctor until my equilibrium was restored.Years ago, a dear friend who was struggling in his marriage shared with me that he was trying everything in his power to save it. It was messy and had dragged on for a long time. He was willing to swallow everything, forgive all his wife had done during her breakdown just to save the union and avoid the effects of divorce on his two children.  One night, he took his son to a theatre to see a movie and escape for the evening. His heart was heavy. There was a moment between the trailers and the beginning of the movie where he was sitting silently in the dark. A voice clearly said to him,“She will never come back.” The thought pained him so greatly that he inwardly railed against it and said to himself,“NO!”But it quietly came to him again and he recognized it as truth, understanding that despite all he had done and would have continued to do, the outcome would not have changed.All that is required is to be calm and listen. Just like carefully tuning the knob of an old radio until you get a frequency that emits a clear signal. It may take a little practice but will start to become second nature.Trust that your life matters and that your journey has a purpose unique to you. In my own experience, the inner voice uses mediums familiar to each of us, it is often music or the words of others for myself and is accompanied by a feeling that prompts me to pay attention. Sometimes it’s goose bumps or a shiver that accompanies a thought. Generally the message is not complex but actually clear and simple, often unexpected.Sometimes these experiences alert us that change is required. Change is difficult and we always have the choice not to listen. But it comes at a cost to our well-being. You can stay in a dead end job because you choose to listen to the doubt that says you will never find another one and perhaps become financially destitute. However, it will take a toll to deal with a difficult boss or go back day after day to a situation where you are undervalued. In staying, you are choosing not to make room for something else that may be awaiting you. Remember, not making a decision is also making a decision- to live with the status quo and whatever that entails.Major life decisions take time and careful consideration. If you’re not certain what to do, be patient. It will come. Don’t rush it. Go where the path leads you. And then watch how your life changes for the better and how it becomes increasingly easier to be at peace and find the happiness that is waiting.“Intuition is always right in at least two important ways;It is always in response to something.it always has your best interest at heart”-Gavin de Becker,The Gift of Fear.