Someone told me recently that everyone's purpose in life is to be true to themselves. Our whole reason for being here is just to be us; to play our part in the lives that we touch, and to let others play their own part in our life.
That same person told me that the best way for me to be true to myself is to "do what my gut tells me." But what about when your gut doesn't have the answer? When you second guess every thought and every decision?
Sometimes, I think, "I should do this," and then - I stop. I worry about how my actions will affect someone else. What if it makes them angry, or hurts their feelings, or even just makes them uncomfortable? It goes against who I am to treat others that way; so I stop. I don't follow my gut.
Other times, I worry that my gut reaction is based on something I've misunderstood, or over-thought. If my gut is misinformed - how can I rely on what it's telling me to do?
I've made both mistakes in the past. I've believed in things, and in people, and made decisions based on that faith. I've said things thinking it would be received one way; only to have it backfire completely. I've hurt people's feelings, and been hurt myself, simply by saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.
I've grown a lot as a person in the last couple of years, and I'd like to think that my instincts have improved. I'd like to think that I can rely on my gut to tell me what to do, because I know myself better. I'd like to think that I'm smarter, more aware and more willing to take risks and to stand up for myself and for what I want in my life.
But anyone can make a mistake, right?
What do you do? Do you go with your gut? Or do you wait; analyze, consider and reconsider?
Hey Sue, this is something I grapple with all the time, so great to hear someone else's thoughts on this. My problem is that I never listen to my gut and end up in really asinine or tiresome situations because I don't just HONOR my own instincts. As I get older and more comfortable with myself, I'm getting better at it, especially as I continuously deal with issues that are a direct result from my being nice and trying not to hurt anyone's feelings or make things easy and not rock the boat. I've gotten a lot better at speaking my truth (not the facts, just how I feel about things) from the get-go, it has helped tremendously.
ReplyDeleteStineybean - Thank you so much for your comment. It really helps.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with this all the time. Learning how to say what's on my mind is tough; I'm always afraid of the consequences (sometimes for myself; always for others).
Guess it's something I still need to work on. :)
It's one of those things that depends. If I'm stressed out (physically or mentally/emotionally) then I go with my gut. The more stressed I am, the more right on it is. I also go with it when there's a very strong reaction or "loud answer" as I like to say.
ReplyDeleteTry listening to yours. You might find it's easier than you think and you're over thinking it. :)
cute~ella - Thank you, as always! That helps a lot. More than I can say, actually. :)
ReplyDelete