“The struggle to learn to listen to and respect our own intuitive inner promptings is the greatest challenge of all.” ~ Herb Goldberg
Dianna giggled. “Wait a minute, Mrs. Roddy! I find that hard to believe. You’re kidding, right? You’re telling me you didn’t always ‘trust YOUR gut?’”
I laughed too. “Now don’t roll your eyes when I say this…when I was young and cute like you (she rolled her eyes)…yes, I felt bewildered at how often I had that stomach churning feeling. That feeling that warned me a person or situation was wrong for me, and I jumped in anyway. I’d say to myself, what do I know? It can’t really be that bad! The results of that nonchalant behavior fluctuated between merely annoying to incidents of heart wrenching disaster.
Dianna’s eyes opened wide. “You mean ‘disaster’ as in….”
Ancient history. Memories of wounds long healed but not forgotten.
“Disaster as in people deeply, deeply hurt. But mostly disasters that didn’t have to be disasters had I listened to the screaming voice within. That, I think is the worst component of the pain. It’s also the true healing and growth that I apparently had to experience. Now, I’m OK with it—perhaps even glad—for I learned great life lessons quite early. And while I still may not be perfectly in tune, I can honestly say that I never hesitate to stop, listen to that clanging bell, and try to discern its call.”
We sat quietly for a few moments. I stared at this beautiful, trusting young woman. I tried to picture Dianna 30 years older. Did sharing my experience help her? Will it shelter her from the storms? In 30 years will she sit with another young woman and have a similar conversation?
What do you think readers? Write to me. I’m living to know…
