Na-No-Intuit-Mo: Using your intuition to shush your critic

That voice inside you.

The one that sucks.

The one that says, “You can’t do that.”

The one that says, “Who do you think you are?”

The one that says “Nobody will sign up for that”.

It can be shushed.  It can be hushed.

When I imagine that voice, I imagine that I have a cherry in my hand (or a cherry lifesaver sometimes), and I’m putting it in the critic’s mouth and saying, “Hush.”

And if I’m not feeling particularly loving, I say, “Suck it.”

But most of the time, it’s good to love your critic, because it’s just the little part of you that hasn’t got on board yet.

So, you can shush it by asking it a question and then listening to the answer.

The Question to Shush Them All

The question is, “What are you afraid of?”

You can point it directly at the critic or the ego, you can say, “Critic, what are you afraid of?”

“Ego, what are you afraid of?”

Take a deep breath and then let it talk. It will say, “What if…” it might say something really ridiculous. It might bring up the cardboard sign by the off-ramp and all your worldly possessions in a safeway shopping cart.

These clues are helpful. You’re shedding light on the deep dark fear that holds you back.

This is not easy work.

So once you’ve asked the critic, give yourself some big points! Kudos! Big Hugs! I tip my cap to you!

The Hush

Then, after it’s talked, say, “Hush. It’s all right.”

And then go do the thing.

(And here’s the best part, sometimes your critic has a point).

Sometimes the critic is asking a question that you haven’t figured out yet, like how you’re going to promote your widget, or how you’re going to fit this new project into your life, etc.

And then you can say, “Good Point, Critic, Let me write that down. Now here’s a cherry lifesaver.”

Your ego is just the little part of you that hasn’t grown up yet and feels cut off from this good place.  Give it a voice. Give it a sweet. And then soothe it to sleep.

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Na-No-Intuit-Mo : Si Claro!

You have got to meet my friend, Jennifer.  She is brilliant.  She helps me step into my power.  She is also hilarious.

She’s a theta healer. Her website is http://www.healingintuitive.com .  She rocketh my world.

So, this morning, we were talking about being woo-woo badasses.  We were talking about being spiritual warriors.  We were talking about stepping up to the plate.

And intuiting on it.

And moving towards it.

And I have to tell you that the words that leap to mind are Si, Claro.  Si Claro is Spanish for Yes, Clearly, which is English for Of Course.

Or as my almost 12-year-old likes to say, No S Sherlock (he’s not allowed to say the “S” Word).

Here’s the words she told me this morning, which have me running around the house saying, Si Claro, Si Claro, Si Claro!

If you don’t believe in yourself, then anything you attempt to do will feel like a failure because deep down, you’re half-assing it.

There it is.

A belief in yourself feels good.  It’s obvious the way it’s obvious that you can make toast or light a candle or do any mundane task. You’ve done it. You see it. You’ve got it.

And when you don’t believe in yourself, you half-ass anything you do, because you don’t believe you can do it anyway.

I hear a big “but” coming on.  The but of, “How can I believe in myself if I haven’t done the thing yet that I want to believe I can do?’

That’s the sticky wicket.

Here’s the Answer

You start with something you know that’s easy.  You start with, “Can I do this?”  (Si, Claro) . You validate. Then you can do this one thing, and then step to the next thing and then step to the next thing.

You Intuit the Feeling. You ask, “What will I feel when I do this thing…”

And the way you feel about boiling a pototato (Si Claro!) is the same feeling you will have about doing the amazing thing (Si Claro!).

The feeling matters.  The feeling brings it into being.

And it’s your feeling, not The Universe’s.  So you control it.

Stop worrying about the Universe saving you, and save yourself. Because you’ve got it to do it.  Because you are you.  And because you’ve got the mad skills to make it happen.

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Jennifer and I are going to do something awesome on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. We are announcing it on Saturday, which will give youalmost two weeks to get on it. It’s going to cost you $10 and 30 minutes of your life.  And it’s going to change this life of yours in a big way, forever.  It might be the best $10 you’ve ever spent. Ever.

Guest Post from God

This morning, I was talking with God, and he said, “So, what’s the deal with you?”

Remember, every question from God is rhetorical. Every last one.

And I said, “Oh, you know, writer’s block from working on that damn accounting project.”

I’ve been spending the last year removing myself from marketing gigs, making my job as a pet psychic / intuitive guidance counselor / teacher / writer / etc.  pay for the mortgage and such.

And it’s going pretty well, but not so well that I am dropping my last big client.

So God said, “I thought you were going to drop that.”

And I whined, “I can’t. I can’t. I gave my word that I’d write this paper.”

So God and I came to an agreement. He would help me write this stuff, or at least get the situation to change so that I didn’t feel compelled to write this stuff, and I would send a message out to the world on his behalf.

Here’s God’s Guest Blog:

God loves you.  Deeply.  More than you can imagine.

You take things too seriously.

You’re here to learn about compassion and love.

That includes loving yourself.

So do it.

Sometimes I wonder where I get the big ovaries to strike bargains with God.  The Dude could squish me like a bug.  He likes me though, and I’m mostly willing to listen, and in this world, I guess that’s pretty good.

Gotta Go- Me and God are writing about investment management tonight.

Na-No-Intuit-Mo : Using your intuition when you meet people

My son, Rubin, is 19.  He’s one of my favorite people, ever, which is good to say, since he’s my son and all.  But even if he wasn’t my son, I’d be really happy to know him.

Here’s a snap of Rubin with his good friend, Olive (whom we also call “Monkeyface”).

Beware the monkey tongue. It will lick you.

We tried to get one of her without licking. It’s impossible. As soon as she sees Rubin, she must lick him. And lick him. And lick him, until he finally says, “Stop! Stop! Stop!” and then she looks overwhelmed with joy.

She is also good at giving him the stink-eye when he stays out all night.

My parenting is much easier with a pit bull nanny.

Anyway

That’s not what I want to talk about today. I want to talk about using your intuition to get a good read on who somebody is when you first meet him or her.

You see, Rubin has girlfriends, lots of them, and friends that are girls, and also he has his dear friend in NY, a woman he respects too much to have a long-distance relationship with.  And occasionally, he will show me a picture of one, especially if he’s feeling somewhat serious about her.

And I will say…

“Oh! This one has a hidden, sharp tongue, and she overexerts herself in her work, and then gets exhausted and then gets angry.  Otherwise she’s great.”

or

“Oh, I like this one. She’s warm, and smart and friendly and independent.”

or

“No. no. no. no. no!”

I’m not going to repeat the worst thing I’ve ever said here, because I am very sorry for that. In fact, I very nearly made the commitment to not comment ever again, after I heard that bit of truth come out.  But he likes an inside scoop on his friends, and also, I think it helps him become a better judge of character.

You Can Do This Too

You can do this too.  You can get a good hit on somebody as soon as you meet them. You already do this to some extent. I’m going to show you how to do it with greater accuracy.

Here’s what I do.  I shake hands and I look them in the eyes, and I just take a deepish breath right before or right after.  And then I pay attention to what’s coming in. I call it the meeting breath.

So, for example, I recently met a person who was happy and glowy on the outside. A very successful busy man, happily married, he seems to be having a good time.  Except that on the inside, he feels stagnant. He feels stuck and this is a new feeling for him.

The Fine Line

There is a fine line between getting information to know whether you want to be friends with someone (or share an elevator, or whatever) and digging in deep for gossip.

I’m not looking for secrets. I’m looking for whether I want to know somebody or not.

The ick factor is usually quite apparent. It’s lying on the surface like an oil slick. You don’t have to go very deep.

So, try it. Next time you meet someone, try the meeting breath. Bring your consciousness to your intuition at that moment. It could save you a world of hurt!

(And don’t be afraid to meet me! Unless you’re dating one of my sons. And then be afraid. Be very afraid! I am a dragon! (okay, no, not really, I’m nice and I will crochet for you (unless you’re mean, and then I’m a dragon!).

Jesus Didn’t Have a Mortgage

I work with a lot of healers, energy workers and animal rescue types. These are people who give a lot to others. Often I come across people who give and give and give, wearing themselves out in the process.

They feel bad to charge people.

I was talking with my friend, Ming, of Reiki Fur Babies ,  about this today.

We get caught up in our do-gooded-ness.  We feel like we should be like Jesus.

There are a few differences between us human do-gooders and Jesus.

To name a few:

Jesus didn’t have a mortgage.

Jesus could turn water into wine, so he didn’t need to leave a tab at the bar.

Jesus’ kid never lost two library books in the same week, that happened to be the same book, and had Jesus pay for them, and then found them both.

Jesus’ other kid didn’t want money for college.

And Jesus’ stepson didn’t need to have new tags put on his car.

Jesus’ insurance company didn’t require him to cut down that tree in his yard. And Jesus wouldn’t have needed to pay some guy $1350 to do it.  He could have just pointed at it, and it would have pulled itself down. Then it’d turn into bookcases.

Notice that the bible glossed over who paid for that last supper.  And also, Jesus had to borrow those loaves and fishes to turn them into more loaves and fishes.  So, yeah, Jesus doesn’t have to participate in the economy.

But You Do

Your work matters. You do good work. You should be paid for it.  Then you can help more people.

Money is just a form of appreciation. It’s a trade-off for your time and gifts.  It’s not evil. Don’t give it negative power.

Instead, charge what your job is worth, whether you’re a massage therapist or a graphic designer or an intuitive or whatever.

And don’t feel bad about it.

The world doesn’t need another Jesus.  The world needs you.

Na-No-Intuit-Mo : What If I’m Wrong?

You do the ritual.

You ask where the cheap running shoes are.

You get a clear image of a red star.

You run to Macy’s.

And there are no running shoes to be found.

What the Hell?

At this point in our journey, we must remember Edison. Thomas Alva Edison who said,

If I find 10,000 ways something won’t work, I haven’t failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.

and also

Just because something doesn’t do what you planned it to do doesn’t mean it’s useless.

When you work with your intuition and you don’t get news you can use, you try again.  Pay attention to how you feel. Because one day, you’re going to intuit the right answer and if you know how that feels, you can do it again.

It’s like throwing a ball and not hitting a target and then giving up.

Whatever.

You do it again.

How do I know?

I know I’ve got the right answer when my belly and my forehead “buzz”.  My 3rd and 6th chakra light up.

Everybody is different. Maybe you won’t feel anything. Maybe you’ll just know.

Keep Trying.  Keep Reflecting.  Keep Validating.

Muah! Big Kiss to You! Feel good for trying!

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Reflection and Validation- Twin Keys to Intuitive Understanding

As I write this,  the smells of roasting pork and garlic permeate our house.  I’m trying a new recipe.  I’m trying to make twice-cooked pork with garlic, soy and chai tea.

It might be great.  It might be odd.  It might be oddly great. It might be greatly odd.

When you are working with your intuition, you will come across some interesting things.

If you just have the experience and walk away, it’s like cooking your recipe and then not tasting it.

If you have the intuitive experience and reflect on it, it will nurture you.

If you have the intuitive experience and then validate it, you’ll learn to trust your intuition more.

How to Reflect

Did you ask your intuition a question yesterday?

Afterwards, what did you do?

After I intuit, I spend some time in a quiet activity, thinking about it.  I wash dishes,typically, or fold laundry or knit. During this time, I  may struggle to  understand it, but if I just let the intuitive thought be with me gently, things will start to connect.

Reflect with a Cluster Diagram

If the passive approach to reflection makes you antsy, you can try a more active approach.

You can write about it.

You can also create a cluster diagram.  with the question in one bubble and the pictures or words that you received in another.

Of course you can also reflect about the experience itself, answering questions like:

-What did my body feel like during the intuitive process?

-What emotions did I feel during the intuitive process?

-How am I different after this intuitive moment?

- Did I hear words?

-Did I see images?

Etc.

Reflection brings new a-has! It also helps you settle into your discovery with a sense of peace.

How to Validate

If reflection is like tasting your intuition, then validation is testing your recipe.

Validation is finding out if what you  saw or heard has any relevancy in this world.

If you’ve asked a question that has a tangible answer, like, “Where can I find cheap running shoes?”

And the answer you got was a Red Star.  Then, naturally, you go to Macy’s and look for running shoes.

And if you find cheap running shoes there, then Voila!, you used your intuition effectively.

It’s not always so clear and easy and you won’t always get an answer that you can do something with.

But if you pay attention, you’ll get an answer you can  use.

Always validate if you can.

Tomorrow- What happens when you’re wrong?

Also (possibly) a recipe for twice-cooked pork roast.

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Na-No-Intuit-Mo: The Questions…

National November Intuit Month.  I just called it.  Lick it and Stick it. It’s on the calendar.

Here’s the good news.  You already have an intuition and you already use it. You just aren’t very conscious about it.

And…although you strengthen your intuition by using it, it’s strong enough already.

So, I’m just going to wake you  up to it.

Wake Up!

There, that’s better.

The Two Ways

I’m going to give you two ways to ask questions and receive answers from your intuition today. One is more traditional than the other.

A Traditional Meditation

Go into a quiet place.

Light a Candle.

Put the candle by you, to the right of you, so you can see it out of the corner of your right eye.

Then close your eyes. Breathe deeply.  Breathe in and out, focusing on your breath, making each inhale and exhale the same length. Do this until you reach a deep sleepy state.

Then ask your intuition a question.

It can be anything.  It can be a journalism question “Who, what, why, where, when, how”.  It can be a “Tell me about” or “Show me…”

Keep all of your senses open. You might see a picture, you might hear some words. You might just know.

Non-Traditional Method

Get into your car and go for a drive.  Go for a drive in a place where you don’t have to be overly conscious. Not  in-town traffic driving.

Then ask your question out loud in the car.

Keep your eyes on the road and see what comes in.

You can have  a conversation with your intuition, just talking out loud.

Tomorrow, we’re going to talk about the importance of reflecting and validating!

Intuition is a Lot like Cooking!

This  is the month of practical intuition, the month where we rev our intuitive engines.

Intuition is a lot like cooking.

Some cooking is elaborate, with lots of steps and an spectacular outcome.  This can be a meal that people talk about for years.

Some cooking isn’t fancy, but it comforts and warms.

Some cooking is a sandwich eaten in the car on your way to a meeting.

Intuition is the same way.

5-star Intuition

Last night, I had a session with a client where we did some deep intuitive work.  It took effort. I was physically tired, and mentally surprised, AND my client received  understanding and  healing that she’s needed for a long time.

We went to some deep places.

God used a word I didn’t know (Obsequious).

We worked for two hours.  It was life changing, for both of us.

This kind of intuition doesn’t happen overnight.

This is 5 star intuition.  I’ve worked hard to get here, and it’s my calling.

I am not suggesting that you’ll reach 5-star intuition in the space of a month, anymore than I’m suggesting you can learn to make the perfect loaf of bread in a month.  A perfect loaf of bread could take a lifetime.

2-star Intuition

2-star intuition is everyday intuition. This is the intuition that I use when I wake up in the  morning and talk with God. This intuition is a perpetual source of information that helps me live an engaged life.

For example, I’m writing a project that I’m not thrilled about doing right now. It’s outside of my vocation. I committed to it a long time ago. I don’t want to do it and yet I need to, and I’m under the gun to get it done.

This morning, I said, “God, help me get this done.” and God said, “It’ll be fun. Just do it. Stop making it out to be bigger than it is.”

And then I had a feeling of comfort and joy blanket  over me, and I could see myself working on this project with a happy heart, at peace (which is the only way I can ever get anything done).

2-star intuition is the intuition that occurs when I ask, “What do I do?”  It’s incredibly powerful, and yet, it’s simple and everyday.  It’s like the best soup.

2-star intuition is also getting directions without you asking for them. It’s like when you get in your car, and the voice says “Go Back Inside.”  You go back in your house and find your new puppy taking apart your wallet.  That little voice is infinitely helpful (though sometimes hard to listen to).

Once you get the 2-star going, life is different.

No-Star  Intuition

No-star intuition is the sandwich in the car. It’s sustenance, but it isn’t really life-changing. No-star intuition is picking the shortest line at the grocery store.  It’s knowing which store is going to have that dress you need to buy.  It’s picking up that there’s a speed-trap around the next corner, and you should really slow down.  No-star is the easiest to practice.  It takes the least amount of intention, and it’s pretty cool.

Tomorrow, we make a sandwich, my friends. We make a sandwich.

Hey, what about the Red Ribbon?

Remember yesterday, the red ribbon around your wrist.  Did you feel different? Did you feel safer? Red is the color of security and safety.  Wearing a little red can intuitively protect us.

So maybe you got a little of that.

But also, maybe, just the thought of wearing a red ribbon or bit of yarn awakened your intuitive muscles, and maybe you had an intuitive moment that had nothing to do with the ribbon. Maybe putting on a silly little ribbon increased your awareness?  Let me know, okay?

(Which reminds me of a story. When my oldest kid was very little, he had bad dreams. I didn’t have the money for a night light  (I was very young, working my way through college).

I needed some cheap magic.

I found a tarnished spoon in my junk drawer,  one with a very elaborate handle.  I told him it was a magic spoon designed to keep bad dreams away.  No more bad dreams.

I still have that spoon. His younger brother used it. )

Intuition is accessible for all of us, and magic is free, and I can show you how. So stay tuned!

Tomorrow-

We start asking the questions…

The Month of Practical Intuition

I wasn’t always intuitive.  I don’t come from a long line of psychics.  My childhood was your basic small town childhood with just a few intuitive encounters (no more than anyone else).

I didn’t have a near death experience.  I don’t work in a radioactive lab.  I wasn’t bit by a magic spider.

No.  None of that.

So, why am I so intuitive now?

I wiggled and experimented and meditated my way into intuition.

The best news of all: You Can Too.

You have the same energetic system that I do.  You are using it every day.  You’re just not as conscious about the information coming in.

Join Me  in a Month of Practical Intuition

During the month of November, we’re going to talk about how to flex your intuitive muscles.  We’re going to talk about how to grow your intuition.

Then, we’re going to use that intuition in practical ways, to make  each day better.

Be Patient, Gentle and  Curious

Learning any skill requires patience, a gentle heart and curious mind.  Intuitive skills are the same way.

We start tomorrow, with a lesson in intuitive cooking.

Aw Heck! Let’s Start Today…

Get a piece of red yarn or red ribbon.  Tie it around your wrist. Then go through your day.

See if anything feels different.

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