Of course you know your body talks. The question is, do you listen to it?
There’s a theory that the Universe tries to get our attention in a myriad of ways—books, movies, phone calls, thoughts and feelings, but when we continually ignore the message, it moves into the physical realm: an accident, an illness, most anything to get us to stop in our tracks and really listen, to reconsider our course of action.
When was the last time your body spoke to you? What did it say?
My body communicated with me in no uncertain terms this week, and I’m grateful. A job opportunity came up, one I hadn’t anticipated. It represented a change in focus, but movement in a direction that could help me claim my communication skills and own my leadership capacity.
I’ve shied away from the latter, so I expected to feel the fear that arose as I considered what taking this position would mean. I talked it over with trusted friends, and decided it was important for me to apply, even though it could take time and energy away from some of my other valued pursuits. We all know it’s scary to grow, and usually what scares us most is what we most need to do.
My biggest fear was that I would ask all the questions I needed to ask, get all the information, and still not know one way or another. My life lesson has to do with failure and not trusting myself. So you can imagine how this terrified me—having to make an important life decision and not really knowing which way to go. Fearing that my intuition would fail me, hush up, and not help me out.
I went to the interview this week. I asked questions. I did my best to share what I have to offer. I left the interview feeling no rational clarity, but fuzzy in the head, a strange sense of lethargy bordering on depression, and a headache that hung around for a couple of hours.
“Well that could have just been stress,” you say. Yep, it sure was. But here’s what convinced me: I felt no opposing force of excitement, of the tickling of potential, of possibility. When you do something that scares you, it’s often followed by a rush of relief.
My relief came when I e-mailed asking to be taken out of the running.
I will never know “for sure” whether I made the right decision, but I’m completely comfortable owning that I did. When your body talks, you must listen with care. Excitement and fear feel a lot alike. Is your terror adrenaline building up for the huge rush of acting on your dreams, or is it your system saying “Danger Ahead!” The two are very close. Your system is bound to caution you both ways.
Here’s my key question: “Does this choice feel like expansion, or contraction?”
If you aren’t living, you’re dying. Living is expansion, and it isn’t easy. But dying by increments isn’t necessarily easy either. When your body talks, gift yourself with the life-giving choice.
Coach’s Challenge: Stop and breathe for a moment. Now ask yourself: “What choice am I up against?” There’s something there. Let it emerge, it may take a bit. You’ve identified the source of the conflict you’re feeling. Breathe into it. Pay attention to your body. Do you feel lightness? Tingly? Paralyzed? If you feel dread, listen closely to the subtleties. If this is new for you, lean in, ask questions, and listen. Learn the language as your body talks! Insights? Ahas? Leave a comment, share your journey!
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