It’s a new year, and 2020 brings with it the hope of change, renewal, and the desire to ‘upgrade’!
Some of us are busy making resolutions, designing vision boards, or choosing our “word of the year”. For others, the time feels ripe to engage in some early “Spring cleaning” – whether that involves mundane tasks like tidying up after the holidays, getting focused on the bones of our business, or getting back on track with our healthy habits.
Personally, I’ve never been very excited by making resolutions. They feel a bit too much like a list of “have-to’s”, and they often focus on negative things like bad habits or things we dislike about ourselves.
We know that from a quantum perspective, energy flows where our attention goes. While looking back at the past can lend insight and wisdom, it’s important to not become fixated on what we judge to be our “mistakes”, because this can keep us anchored in the same patterns that we’re trying to release.
I want to go forward into the new year feeling inspired, expansive, and unhindered by any prior versions of myself!
The idea of pursuing feelings instead of goals isn’t new, and it can help us come into greater alignment with our heart’s desires. We can tap into the wisdom our heart has to offer simply by learning to listen more closely to our intuition.
For many women, our intuition is something we’re not well-versed in hearing. After all, there are so many external demands vying for attention around us that our intuition can too often go unheard amidst the sounds of our children, partners, the media, and the many expectations placed on women in the modern world.
If we’re tuned in to meditative or prayerful practice and have been seeking connection with our higher self for some time, we may have a better idea of how to hear our heart’s subtle yearnings. Yet we still might find it challenging to actually follow those tender threads of inspiration!
Don’t be fooled into thinking that you need to light a candle or sit in a sacred space to tap into your inner voice.
Our intuition can just as easily be found in an abrupt and matter-of-fact idea that occurs to us while we’re chatting with a friend over coffee. Some of the most profound intuition will arrive without fanfare, and we’ll recognize it only because of how very right it feels–as if we’ve known forever!
When something tugs on your heart repeatedly, it’s a good practice to pay attention to how your body feels as you focus on that thought or feeling in your mind.
Notice if you experience a lightness in your chest, a clear head, or clenching in your gut (remember, fear and exhilaration may produce a similar physical response!). Ask yourself, “Does this feel heavy? Or does this feel light?” Sometimes this can be a great way to determine if what we’re picking up on is actually an intuitive nudge, as opposed to an external idea or expectation from outside of ourselves.
It doesn’t matter whether your initial, logical response says “that’s silly,” or even “that’s crazy!” What is your body telling you about your idea?
Gifted medical intuitive Carolyn Myss talks about how frequently people ask her for help in discovering their true purpose, when so often they already know (but have been rejecting) what it is!
Our intuition may speak softly, but she’s incredibly persistent…and patient. She never gives up on us, even when we’ve been pretending not to hear her voice for years.
We may hold back from pursuing our dreams for many reasons…like waiting for external validation or permission from others. Maybe we’ve fallen for the idea that our passions need to be profitable–or praiseworthy–if we’re to follow them fully.
Sometimes the things that light our soul on fire may not make perfect sense to the world. Living in alignment with our heart’s desires can be challenging, especially when we want to be recognized by others.
So what’s really in alignment with your heart in 2020?
Your dreams may be so big and audacious that they frighten you. That’s just as profound as having dreams that speak loudly to your heart, but might seem quiet and simple to those who don’t understand. Maybe you want to learn a new craft, or pursue that business idea you’ve always wanted to try. Maybe you’re feeling the intuitive nudge to reconnect with an old friend or family member. Perhaps you’re eager to move to a new area or explore a different country. Maybe you’re finally ready to dye your hair purple!
When you allow yourself to truly and unapologetically hear the whisperings of your heart, you’ll be inspired to take the actions that are correct for you and move forward in confidence, regardless of whether your personal victories are Instagram-worthy or completely humble.
Don’t be afraid to dream big, but also don’t shy away from embracing the seemingly “small stuff”. There’s magic and energy in either to fuel and accompany you on this journey of 2020!
