Gut Feelings
© Susan Todd-Raque
A good sense of direction particularly when driving is a genetic weakness in my family. So, when I am driving, instead of listening to my inner voice that tells me I should go one way, I rationalize and go the other way, which usually is the wrong way. Then I get frustrated with myself and try to correct my mistake, based upon another rationalization. And, as GPS is not always reliable, I am noted for getting lost while going to new places. In spite of my efforts to change I have finally learned trying to change my intuitive nature is like trying to swim upstream.
That inner voice, also known as gut feelings or intuition, is always there, although stronger in some people and weaker in others. However, we often do not pay attention to it. We think ourselves to death and then obsess whether or not something we are doing is right or wrong when deep inside we know the true answer.
There is within everyone a flow of unconsciousness available to guide us and to learn from. Based on Jungian psychology, Meyers-Briggs developed one of the most well-known and researched inventories entitled, MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator). The MBTI inventory breaks down one’s personality into sixteen different types. Each type has four letters but the one relevant to this article is what they call intuition. People take in information differently. People take in information based on their senses and/or they take in information intuitively. While all of us use both sensing and intuition to learn, each of us tend to use one more dominantly than the other.
My dominant way of taking in information is through my intuition. I tend to not want to read directions or pay as much attention to the kind of data in Consumer Reports. When I buy something I have to force my self to look at important details. My Intuition pushes me to want to buy what may appeal to me but not necessarily what may be the best or most pragmatic in the long run.
In contrast, for others the dominant Sensor tends to collect all the facts and base their decision on data they can wrap their hands around. Even though they may be tempted with what appeals to them the most, practicality is more important.
When it comes to relationships, when a person who is a dominant Sensor marries a person who is the Intuitive, sparks can fly. This is not necessarily a bad thing, actually if the couple can find the right balance, it can be pretty awesome. For example, when they go to buy a big ticket item, the Sensor does the research on the specific facts, which is what they like to do and the Intuitive points out the information they take in through experiencing the look, the feel and what appeals to them. Then there is the compromise and both have given a little but both are, in the long run, happy with the decision.
So, the next time you get a feeling you should call someone and check on them, do it. If you think your busy schedule won’t permit you to take your child to an event even though you promised that you would and you know you should, do it. If you see someone who is handicapped reaching to open a door and you think you should hurry over to help, do it. If you are sitting next to a loved one and are feeling like you want to touch them, hold them, tell them they are loved, do it.
Listening to your gut feelings is about listening to you.
