Recently, I went to a garden center in search of a new planter. When I arrived, everyone was rushing around, including the merchandiser who huffed when I asked for help. Rather than inquire about my likes, home, surroundings, or anything else about my needs, she said, “This is what you want,” pointed to one section, and ran off. I walked to that section and considered it for a minute. Then I left.
Determining what we do and don’t like is a wondrous adventure of self-discovery. It begins from infancy, when we push away smashed peas, and evolves as we grow, through all our hairdos, outfits, and collections. Sometimes we know absolutely what we like. Sometimes, we try several styles before we find what’s best.
And no matter how our process works, the key is trust. On the journey, we need to trust:
- Ourselves and the still, small voice within us. We hear this voice best when we give ourselves the daily gift of silence and solitude.
- Our intuition, our inner, sixth-sense guidance.
- Our bodies, which are divine messengers. Nausea, slumps, twinges, twitches, yawns, headaches, and gasps are an alert that something or someone isn’t safe, suitable, and/or supportive for us.
- Our ability to keep learning. If we don’t understand something or need clarity, we can be courageous and ask questions, even of “experts.”
- Our inner wisdom, which helps us discern what’s best for us. Some things are clear immediately; others are trial and error.
- Our personal growth and maturity, no matter our calendar age. We may outgrow things we once liked or needed because they no longer fit who we’ve become.
- Our power to say, “No, thank you,” walk away, request a change, terminate a contract, and/or end a relationship, especially when someone isn’t interested, or too busy to listen, converse, or advise (when we request it).
- Professionals — contractors, designers, doctors, lawyers, accountants, teachers, spiritual leaders, etc. — who take time to listen to us and hear what we need before they offer any advice. Listen for them asking questions such as: “How can I help you with this?”; “How can I support you?”; “What do you need most right now?”; “Which one do you like best?”
- Those who honor our choices, even if they don’t like what we like.
- Time, so we can wait, patiently, and allow our path to unfold, even if we choose to pave it ourselves.
- Variety. Our world is filled with thousands of choices and strategies. If some things don’t work, others will.
Overall, remember that our greatest trust is in God. Know that God is in the midst of all, with us, within us, and all around. And as we discover what we like and how we like it, we can savour all life’s simple, lovely pleasures along the way.
© 2019 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks. All rights reserved.
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