Connect To Your Instincts

Becoming "unblurred"

A few years ago, I received a complimentary gift pack with a skincare purchase that contained a product called "Magic Blur".

It was designed to "blur" blemishes, freckles, spots, blotches and imperfections.

While many cosmetics hide or enhance your natural features, there was something about the name of the product that prompted me to feel a little offended that the company thought purposeful "blurring" was an attractive sales feature.

However, 'blurring' is something that many of us have become accustomed to.

According to Clarissa Pinkola-Estes, author of Women Who Run with the Wolves, it's not just face blurring that may have you question the value of your authentic nature. She says the modern lifestyle has meant many women have also become a "blur of activity".

In an effort to earn, advance, nurture, strive, prove and please, the instinctual nature of women has been built over, burnt, bulldozed and plundered and natural cycles forced into unnatural rhythms to please others. She says the modern woman is often pressured to be all things to all people.

And yet it is our natural instincts - our intuition - that is one of our most valuable sources of information. This inner knowing is a compass that can lead to a life best lived.

If you've been living in a "blur of activity" for a long period of time, it can be hard to recognise it's effects and to let go of the constant merry-go-round - to step off and allow yourself to breath and listen.

A number of common beliefs get in the way and 'blur' your thinking. Below are a few, along with a perspective pivot that may be helpful to re-connect to your authentic nature.

Blurry belief: I need to hide my true self to fit in or be liked by others.
Perspective pivot: You are worthy just as you are.

Blurry belief: I need to say 'yes' to requests on my time and resources to feel like a good person.
Perspective pivot: Self-acceptance comes from firstly saying yes to yourself.

Blurry belief: I won't set boundaries in case I'm rejected.
Perspective pivot: Boundaries are circles of empowerment that teach others how to respect you, and help you to respect yourself.

Blurry belief: I allow interruptions because I don't want to be rude.
Perspective pivot: Your time is your most valuable resource. Consciously choose who you spend it on.

Blurry belief: I avoid speaking up about the things that annoy me so I can keep the peace.
Perspective pivot: Not expressing your true thoughts and feelings is a pathway toward anger and resentment, rather than away from it.

Blurry beliefs make it harder to hear, and to respond, to your true nature.

The trick therefore is to unblur yourself.

Stop doing.

Say no.

Put constraints on your time and resources and give yourself more of each.

As Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavait said "Quiet the mind and the soul will speak."