your own wisdom

This morning I was reading an email from my mentor, and a simple sentence jumped out at me:

‘Knock at the door of your own wisdom.’

I can’t stop thinking about it.

Her directive was practical: if you have a question, rather than crowdsourcing for answers or seeking input from others, look inside yourself first.

Connect with your own intuitive wisdom.

So easy to forget, right? 

We are born with innate wisdom. And we become trained away from that wisdom.

Each of us has a certain connection to ourselves, an ‘inner’ view of things. Our inner world is a safe haven for our identity, thoughts, and imagination.

As we interact with other people, the external environment, and new and unpredictable experiences, we develop a sense of ‘outer.’

The split between inner and outer is endemic to the human experience.

Let’s face it, your physical survival is dependent on the outer world. As a child, you need people to take care of you. You need to follow the rules. You learn that certain things you say or do garner you approval or disapproval.

Say one thing and get hugs and kisses.

Say another thing and get sent to your room.

You learn to play the ‘outer’ game from an early age. So that you’ll survive.

It doesn’t take long before your inner wisdom grows dim and distant.

Like turning down the volume on a stereo.

And you turn up the volume on the outer world. You have to play that game right just to fit in.

As we go out into the world as young adults, we’re conditioned by all of the systems in which we participate. Educational systems, work systems, family systems, dating and relationship systems.

We look outside ourselves for things that will keep us feeling safe and happy.

I’m not knocking the outside world. We need it! We are here to have experiences, create things, have relationships, and so on.

But with the volume turned down on our inner wisdom it’s difficult to navigate the outer world. And because we’ve lost touch with our inner wisdom, we can forget that it’s even there.

I believe we need a balance between inner and outer.

A sensitive inner compass helps us feel our way through the outer experience. A strong connection to our inner wisdom makes us intentional in the way we live.

Knocking at the door of your own wisdom is a symbolic act.

You’re turning back towards what you always knew…but just forgot for a while.

You’re embracing what you had a long time ago…and never lost.

You are intentionally listening to a part of yourself that wants a say.

So today I’ll leave you with this:

Next time you have a decision to make, or you feel confused and crave the sweet relief of an answer, just pause.

Before you ask anyone else for input, turn towards yourself.

Ask your own wisdom.

Get quiet and listen.

And see what happens.

Let’s tune into your inner wisdom. Click here to schedule a free connection call with me. And for more juicy life stuff, check out my podcast, coming home (to yourself). As always, may your week be filled with self-love and rich insights. With love, Amy ♡♡♡