Intuition at work. I think. Or maybe it’s just connecting the dots.
Has your intuition ever told you something that you later found to be true?
That’s happening to me often lately….or maybe I pay more attention to it now than I have in the past.
Intuition is knowing something without using conscious reasoning. And you know, figuring out if it’s intuition or just logic is problematic, because I am really good at conscious reasoning. Dots have always connected easily –I see those relationships and make huge leaps to conclusions that are almost always right on the money. That’s done mostly with my conscious mind, although sometimes it happens so quickly that it seems like intuition. I have to really work hard to determine if it’s intuition or my logical mind at work, following clues and cues to a logical end.
Discernment is hard.
Few months ago I drew a conclusion about a change in the life of a public figure I’d seen a few times in person. I knew he’d dumped his wife and I knew he was seeing a woman with whom he’d appeared in person. Months later I found out that I was absolutely right. Was it logic or was it intuition? I say it was a little of both. I noticed things –that was the part that my senses played–and then my intuition kicked in and gave me a concept that felt strong and true. I mentioned it to my husband and then a few months later, that concept was confirmed as fact.
But maybe intuition and reasoning aren’t that far apart.
Another example: I have a friend who has changed drastically over the past 20 years in how they think, feel and act. They deny it, but I know it. The evidence I have wouldn’t convince anyone else, because it’s just a feeling I get from all that they now say and do. I get what’s going on with them–or at least I think I do and I’m pretty sure I’m right.
Intuition is formed by what we see and hear–it’s the vibe we get in response to our senses. Cops will tell you that they develop it on the job–that sense when things just don’t “feel right.” For them, that intuition can be a matter of life or death.
Just the other day I was at dinner with a group of woman. Watching the woman sitting across from me–whom I don’t know very well–I got the distinct feeling something was wrong. It didn’t seem like anyone else noticed. She was conversing normally. But the feeling was so strong I almost asked her what was up. Some 20 minutes later she told us that someone very close to her had just died and this was her first outing since.
Intuition at work.
I’m not always right, though. When a group of bloggers did Five Truths and One Lie posts I had already begun writing this post and decided to use my intuition. But my guess was wrong five out of six times.
Other times, it’s right on the money and I’m not sure why. Although I have a sign hanging above my computer that flat-out says HONOR YOUR INTUITION I’m always surprised when what I feel turns out to be true.
We’re not raised to trust those intuitive feelings. We learn –tacitly, at least–that they are “less-than,” and not as accurate as logic. As “fact.”
Our society doesn’t view “I feel” as a strong statement. If it’s not tangible evidence, it’s not viewed as credible.
The truth is that we can learn a lot from our intuition and it pays to develop it.
To pay attention to what we feel and not automatically assume that we can’t be right.
What about you? Do you think you’re intuitive?
How have you noticed your own intuition in your life?
I have a keen “nurse’s intuition” and it’s rarely ever wrong but so much of that knowing when something is wrong based on subtle signs or just a feeling is rooted in experience. My personal intuition isn’t as finely honed but I believe that’s because intuition is an energetic muscle and if we don’t use it we lose it.
Laura, I agree about using and training the intuition. The more I’ve started slowing down and listening (and trusting myself) the stronger my intuition has become. I’m an empath–something I didn’t really understand until I was in my late 40s and the shutting down/closing out I did, as preservation, served to shut down my intuition as well.
I feel dangerously intuitive, sometimes…like I know what the other person is thinking. Of course, I can’t always ask them if I’m right (it can be a total stranger!), so I guess I’ll never know. But other times have shown me that I have a raging intuition and that I can trust it, although I have to admit that there are times I’ve been wrong (of course!)
As I get older, it gets easier to trust my gut. Its a great asset now, and I am faithful to it, finally. Nicely said, Carol. Important subject. We all know more than we think; it’s what we choose to believe in the end.
I have always told my daughters, trust your intuition. I really believe it gets
‘honed’ as we get older, and it’s a good rule of thumb to trust yourself, especially if you feel something is ‘off’ in a situation or with a person. Great article.
After working as a social work therapist for more than a decade, I’m pretty good at picking up subtle social and emotional cues, and drawing (often correct) conclusions from them. Being the child of alcoholics (which meant constantly being watchful and aware of shifting tides), and then a mother for more than 30 years didn’t hurt, either. I have an awesome lie/insincerity detector, as my kids will attest.
I’m not sure if this is what we call “intuition,” or if it’s just a more finely honed observational ability. Either way, it’s a skill we could all use more of.
I agree with those who have commented as well. Learning to trust our intuition isn’t always easy because sometimes it goes against what the majority are thinking. Dogs don’t seem to have that problem — it is black and white for them. They INSTINCTIVELY know who to trust and who not to – wish it was that easy. Too bad they couldn’t talk.
I always listen to my intuition first. I actually stop what I’m doing at times, and listen to my inner voice. My intuition is almost 100% accurate when it comes to my family too. I can tell you stories that would make head spin in amazement! I am a total believer in intuition bc there are times when I have no visual cues to rely on and it’s always spot on too. You can’t force it either…it’s either there and you listen to it or not. As far as that one truth game Carol…I don’t think intuition had anything to do with it…I think that was just a guessing game and the odds were what like 50/50 of guessing correctly? Great post!
I have noticed times when I have a feeling about someone, as you mentioned about the woman who had lost someone. I usually don’t have the courage to ask them, it feels too personal if I don’t know them well. But I know what you mean, and I often wonder if these clues are just out there to push us to connect with each other. Great food for thought today!
I frequently feel pushed to reach out to people – just check in. I used to be much more subtle about it. Now I just ask whoever it is why they have been on my mind or in my thoughts. I used care if people thought I was “out there”. Now I surround myself with people who know I am a bit crazy but a well-intended crazy.
are we talking about picking up vibes? emotional cues from the timber of someone’s voice, their body language? Certainly when it comes to my grown children, I can tell from the first syllable of their telephoned hello if something’s wrong or there’s exciting news to share or they are just in a happy place. Are women better at this?
First- I love the moon photo!
I have learned the hard way to trust my intuition. Like you, there are some people I get very strong feelings from, almost like I can read their minds and others, nothing.
It is tough not to say “I feel” but I am trying.
I’ve had a few powerful intuitive moments – one when I was pregnant with my son, and a nurse later told me my intuition had saved his life. I plan to blog about it in a few months when he turns 20! I think the more you trust your intuition, the more intuitive you become, if that makes sense. I tend to doubt my intuition. You seem like such an open, sensitive person, so I would imagine your intuition is pretty strong.
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I have a keen “nurse’s intuition” and it’s rarely ever wrong but so much of that knowing when something is wrong based on subtle signs or just a feeling is rooted in experience. My personal intuition isn’t as finely honed but I believe that’s because intuition is an energetic muscle and if we don’t use it we lose it.
Ah, now there’s a thought! I hadn’t considered it that way, but it makes sense.
Laura, I agree about using and training the intuition. The more I’ve started slowing down and listening (and trusting myself) the stronger my intuition has become. I’m an empath–something I didn’t really understand until I was in my late 40s and the shutting down/closing out I did, as preservation, served to shut down my intuition as well.
I feel dangerously intuitive, sometimes…like I know what the other person is thinking. Of course, I can’t always ask them if I’m right (it can be a total stranger!), so I guess I’ll never know. But other times have shown me that I have a raging intuition and that I can trust it, although I have to admit that there are times I’ve been wrong (of course!)
I think we have that scenario in common, that dangerously intuitive thing. And the rest of it, too!
As I get older, it gets easier to trust my gut. Its a great asset now, and I am faithful to it, finally. Nicely said, Carol. Important subject. We all know more than we think; it’s what we choose to believe in the end.
Very true.
I have always told my daughters, trust your intuition. I really believe it gets
‘honed’ as we get older, and it’s a good rule of thumb to trust yourself, especially if you feel something is ‘off’ in a situation or with a person. Great article.
Good advice for any offspring, for sure.
After working as a social work therapist for more than a decade, I’m pretty good at picking up subtle social and emotional cues, and drawing (often correct) conclusions from them. Being the child of alcoholics (which meant constantly being watchful and aware of shifting tides), and then a mother for more than 30 years didn’t hurt, either. I have an awesome lie/insincerity detector, as my kids will attest.
I’m not sure if this is what we call “intuition,” or if it’s just a more finely honed observational ability. Either way, it’s a skill we could all use more of.
Yes, I think you’re right: finely honed observational skills.
I agree with those who have commented as well. Learning to trust our intuition isn’t always easy because sometimes it goes against what the majority are thinking. Dogs don’t seem to have that problem — it is black and white for them. They INSTINCTIVELY know who to trust and who not to – wish it was that easy. Too bad they couldn’t talk.
What an astute observation about dogs.
I always listen to my intuition first. I actually stop what I’m doing at times, and listen to my inner voice. My intuition is almost 100% accurate when it comes to my family too. I can tell you stories that would make head spin in amazement! I am a total believer in intuition bc there are times when I have no visual cues to rely on and it’s always spot on too. You can’t force it either…it’s either there and you listen to it or not. As far as that one truth game Carol…I don’t think intuition had anything to do with it…I think that was just a guessing game and the odds were what like 50/50 of guessing correctly? Great post!
;-))))
I have noticed times when I have a feeling about someone, as you mentioned about the woman who had lost someone. I usually don’t have the courage to ask them, it feels too personal if I don’t know them well. But I know what you mean, and I often wonder if these clues are just out there to push us to connect with each other. Great food for thought today!
I think we know more than we think we do.
I do think I’m intuitive. It’s just a feeling I get that can’t always be explained.
I hear ya!
I frequently feel pushed to reach out to people – just check in. I used to be much more subtle about it. Now I just ask whoever it is why they have been on my mind or in my thoughts. I used care if people thought I was “out there”. Now I surround myself with people who know I am a bit crazy but a well-intended crazy.
You are so right. Discernment is hard :)!!!
The great thing about age–who cares? is our byword!
are we talking about picking up vibes? emotional cues from the timber of someone’s voice, their body language? Certainly when it comes to my grown children, I can tell from the first syllable of their telephoned hello if something’s wrong or there’s exciting news to share or they are just in a happy place. Are women better at this?
I think they are. Women are often more externally-focused but men are more concerned with themselves. Yes, a generalization.
Intuition works best when we are attentive to those around us and when we trust ourselves regarding those feelings.
Very true, Nora.
I think I’m very intuitive. Although when my husband doesn’t like what I say, he disagrees.
Whether you call it intuition or that little voice or a gut feeling, I think it’s important to listen to it!
First- I love the moon photo!
I have learned the hard way to trust my intuition. Like you, there are some people I get very strong feelings from, almost like I can read their minds and others, nothing.
It is tough not to say “I feel” but I am trying.
I’ve had a few powerful intuitive moments – one when I was pregnant with my son, and a nurse later told me my intuition had saved his life. I plan to blog about it in a few months when he turns 20! I think the more you trust your intuition, the more intuitive you become, if that makes sense. I tend to doubt my intuition. You seem like such an open, sensitive person, so I would imagine your intuition is pretty strong.
I feel like I have strong intuition and I always do the best I can to listen to it because it usually pays off!