Decision-Making As a Spiritual Practice
Hello my Lovelies,
Let’s talk about decision-making. Most of us strive to feel confident and clear when it comes to making choices for ourselves and our lives. Knowing that you are moving in the right direction for yourself is empowering. This week I invite you to explore your inner compass, discover how your body speaks to you and get familiar with your “yes” and “no”. Accessing your own “yes” and “no” signals provides clarity and peace of mind when it comes to making decisions. So if you are facing a tough choice you can always rely on getting to the Truth if you listen inwards.
First let us remember as we do one thing, we do all things. This Truth can help guide us as we become more aware of our own decision-making habits. In the most distilled form, there are two possible ways to make decisions; from a place of love or fear. And, whichever we choose becomes our default setting. We can adjust these settings at any time, but in order to do this effectively, we must first become aware of them.
When we make a decision from a place of love there is a feeling of lightness, of relief, it feels right deep-down in our core. Choices made from a place of love are not always easy or convenient, but they liberate us on a deep level. It’s like a breath of fresh mountain air when we find the courage and self-compassion to speak truthfully; first and most importantly with ourselves and then with others when called upon.
Love leads to Truth and Truth is Love, always.
On the other hand, when we make a decision from a place of fear, obligation or because we feel “we should” (all fear in disguise, and it has many), the feeling that results is more anxiety or “fear-amplified”. Working from a place of fear creates a disconnect between our mind, body and spirit. This disconnect can be physically, emotionally and spiritually distressing. But the remedy to this state-of-being is there for us; it’s with us always, at every moment of every day, and it’s a few simple questions away:
· What is the truth in this situation?
· What do I truly want?
· Is this a “yes or no” for me right now?
The why can wait until later, but you can access the “yes or no” within seconds. I would even venture to say, you probably already know the answer, but to feel it in your body makes it tangible, it provides solidity, and strengthens your resolve.
***
TRY THIS: Here is a practice to help strengthen the connection with your inner compass when it comes to making decisions, both big and small. Get comfy in a supported-seated position and I invite you to try this for yourself:
First give yourself permission: I do not have to do anything. Let this percolate a bit-it should take some of the pressure off, allowing you to settle into further discovery. Your mind might argue a bit here, but give it a few moments of just repeating this thought and breathing.
Relax your body fully, let your tummy pooch out like you’ve just enjoyed a meal, release tension in the pelvic floor muscles and let your shoulders relax down. Take a nice easy deep breath and then ask:
“Show me my Yes” - Wait a few beats and notice what you feel and where you feel it in your body. Often a “yes” will feel like a physical lift, an expansion, with an openness around the heart and chest.
Next ask: “Show me my No”- Wait again, as above. Often a “No” will feel more like a contraction, a drawing-in of the abdominal and chest walls. Many of us will be familiar with this feeling, but we may not have known what to do with it!
Last, and most importantly, trust what you get and act accordingly. If it’s a no, respect the no. If it’s a yes, dive headlong into the yes! If you feel too in your head about it, or it’s just too raw, take a break and try again later.
***
As you go about your day you will encounter moments where you are called to make a choice. Many of these moments will escape your notice, but I invite you to pay attention to even the most seemingly trivial among them. Some examples might include what do I eat for breakfast, do I rsvp yes or no, do I take the new job or stay put?
You might think that the breakfast question is less important than what you decide to do about the new job; let me offer you this; as you are rediscovering your intuitive compass, and aligning your decision-making practices, each and every decision you make is equally important. I would contend that the clarity you possess around what you feed your body, brings forward greater clarity in each subsequent choice or decision you make. This can also be seen as: the more you allow your spirit or love to direct your choices, the more confident you can be in those choices.
Truth allows you to show up fully, and authentically, resulting in greater ease and grace in your life. Your intuitive compass or inner knowing is waiting for you to trust it. Each time you pause before making a choice you create space for your soul to speak. When you give this voice an opportunity to guide you, it will.