The birds and the bees do it. The animals in the forest do it.
What do they do?
They all live in social groups. But they don’t necessarily follow social rules.
But with us humans — otherwise known as the human race, society, citizens — social rules are usually considered and adhered to with more agility than animal-like behavior.
Unless, of course, we’re in the bedroom. But that’s another topic for another day.
We seem to constantly have a running question: “Why?” Quickly followed by, “Why not?”
We struggle with our behavior because we really are supposed to consider future consequences in our everyday decisions.
But then again, I’m not so sure some of us really care.
What I do know is that each of us is born with a voice inside that is there to guide, to warn, and sometimes to even applaud us.
Many insist this is a genetic thing. I happen to think it’s more inherent.
Some listen to their voice —
Many don’t.
Like many.
Boy, could I write a list …
Some even claim they never even hear it or don’t know how to find it.
And whether we pay attention to this voice (or don’t) it rarely stays silent.
Some call it a gut feeling, or intuition, or instinct or perception —
You get the drift.
But this voice is really our very own Siri, providing warnings and directions straight from our internal moral compass.
Think GPS.
When we have a strong voice that is highly moral, it seems we try to live, for the most part, our best life with integrity and honor and principle and goodness. We try to follow rules and laws and religions. We listen to our gut and try our best to be good people.
We try not to lie, or steal or cheat, or break the law, or flirt with our best friend’s hubbies or wives or spread all our best friend’s secrets …
Yada yada yada.
However …
When the voice we have is a little on the deceitful side, we tend to do things that are socially wrong and dishonorable and quite possibly hurtful to others and ourselves.
These people had their moral compass pin pulled out a long time ago. So they follow bad instincts into bad decisions and fall deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole.
Think weak character.
And then there is the third category…
Ahhh, my very favorite.
It sends warm fuzzy vibes down my spine, probably because I’ve been on the receiving side of this one.
“Behind Door No. 3 for the ultimate Showcase Showdown we have a moral voice accompanied with an optional clause to listen …”
The ol’ justification card.
You know what I mean, right?
The act of trying to make a plausible excuse for a lame, not-too-bright action, motive or move.
BOTTOM LINE: These people focus on desired outcomes and rationalize the means to achieve them, no matter what the consequences.
I think finding our voice and getting in touch with what it’s saying is probably the most crucial instrument in our own self care.
I have people coming to me often and asking how to hear this voice and get clarity and direction from it.
And here’s my advice …
We all search for the answers to life’s most complex questions. Whether we attend seminars, indulge in self-help books or visit a noted psychic or therapist, we seem to always be yearning outside for the answers to our biggest life challenges.
Like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, while we were looking for our way home, following the yellow brick road, we didn’t realize our answers were already there.
Our quest to meet the Wizard —the one who could teach us all we needed to know —ends when we finally stop searching “out there” and finally look “in here.”
I literally, not figuratively, lost my voice about 12 years ago
In order to find internal power and your true voice- integrity, honesty, and dignity need to be part of your moral compass.
If you sit still long enough and are willing to learn from the experiences that are being taught (good and bad), the important lessons in life can be learned. Trust your gut and if your compass is broken, (and you’ll know it based on a history of bad decisions and outcomes)…
It’s never too late to fix it.
When looking to rebuild relationships in your life, begin with yourself.
And the next time something just doesn’t feel right…
Chances are, it’s not.
Until next week …
Love,
Karin
