Take Time to Hear

 by Mary Jo Wehniainen

During the past two months I’ve encountered more people who feel overwhelmed and confused than ever before. They don’t know where to turn for help. They go through day after day, oftentimes very busy … but at the same time feeling as if they have no real sense of direction. The answer to their uneasiness seems elusive.

Many people are suddenly faced with the fact that they’re committed to way too many things … and that many of those things no longer have meaning. They’re beginning to see that much of what they’re doing is unimportant, and there doesn’t seem to be enough time for what they value most.

Many seem almost numb.

My question in turn is always,

"How much time are you giving yourself away from the busy-ness to hear your answer?"

Usually they first look at me as if I’m crazy, but when they sense my seriousness, they all react the same way. First a long pause, then they stop to think about it, and then 99% come back with the same answer.

"None".

Somewhere along the lines we’ve bought into some crazy programming. It goes something like this: It’s ok to continue to say yes, yes, yes to everything … live your life in a state of overwhelm and confusion, be on the run constantly, feel guilty for all the things you’re still not doing, and on and on and on.

But rarely are we encouraged to take time out to "hear" what we are supposed to do. Somehow that idea seems strange, but the overwhelmed state of mind, as terrible as it feels, is more often accepted as the norm.

It’s as if when our feet touch the ground we’re supposed to go, go, go. The thought of taking at least 30 minutes a day to actually sit and do nothing but "listen" seems like a crazy luxury that most of us don’t have time for.

I feel confident that the answers are there for each one of us if we only take the time necessary to "hear", and preferably on a consistent basis. For one person that might be a daily prayer or meditation time. Some may call it intuition, others "inner wisdom". It could be a nice hot soak in the tub, or a brisk daily walk. (that’s mine!)

What you do doesn’t matter!

What matters is that you have time alone with yourself on a regular basis. Time to sort things out. Time to get the insight you need to make the right decisions for you and your family.

In the midst of busy-ness, you can’t "hear". You need to deliberately make the time and space to listen.

When you finally get the insight or direction you’ve been asking for, act on it immediately! Don’t let it pass, otherwise you might lose it and quickly return to your former state of confusion.

If you begin to do this on a consistent basis, you’ll be amazed what incredible things there are for you. Ideas, insights, and solutions that you probably would never even "hear" if you didn’t stop and listen.

Once you begin operating this way, you’ll wonder how you managed before. Your life will take on a new dimension. You’ll feel as if you have a much clearer purpose, and even the most ordinary "journey" will become exciting.

Is this what the old saying means: "marching to the beat of a different drum"?

We all have our own beat, our own rhythm, our own unique and wonderful way of operating. Once we acknowledge this and become comfortable living our life this way, everything will be transformed!

Friends, I wish above all things that you enjoy every minute of your life. That much of your time is spent with the people and things that are most important to you. I encourage you to proudly and confidently march to the beat of your own glorious drum!

Be GREAT, because you already are!