Your heart knows the way. Run in that direction. 
– Rumi, the 13th century Poet

We are each born with our own personal navigation system; an internal guidance system called feelings, thoughts, emotions and intuition. While some of our thoughts and emotions are conditioned responses to life, if we listen closely, we can hear and feel our intuition as it guides us everyday. The more practiced we are, the easier it is to discern the voice of our "nav" from the voices of fear and ego. There are a few simple practices we can begin to learn to quiet the mind and amplify the voice of the heart and soul:

Surrender and Allow

The same way we are born with a built-in guidance system, so is everyone else. Do not judge their journey or their choices. We cannot know what is best for someone else, just as they cannot always know what is best for us.  We must trust that everyone is well-equipped with divine guidance that suits their individual needs, life purpose and soul lessons. In order to truly embrace peace and joy in our lives, we must surrender to a Higher Power, and give up our false sense of control. Trusting that life is happening for us, not to us, we fall into the flow of Allowing. Once we surrender, and allow, our everyday experiences becomes much more like a smooth, gentle and soothing ride than a rollercoaster we are gripping onto for dear life. 

Awareness

If you listen to the voice of your heart and soul, it will bring you clues every step of the way and will take you where you most want, and need, to go. These clues come in the form of "coincidences," synchronicities, opportunities, and sometimes challenges. Follow the "breadcrumbs" of life as they take you from one step to another. Trust in the Divine order of things, in your connection to Source, and follow your joy: "run in that direction."  We can never know what is around the corner, or the endless choices we really have, but all we have to do is take one step after another and the path will be laid out before us. A great tool to cultivating awareness, and being open to receiving signs and guidance - and recognizing them as such - is mindfulness meditation and practices. When we quiet the mind, we are better able to hear the whispers of our heart and soul.

Pain is a Gift

Be open to experiencing challenges as opportunities for growth, healing and learning. Every bit of pain comes bearing gifts. What shows up in our lives, is there for a reason. Our external world is a mirror of our internal world. Debbie Ford said, Suffering is a telltale sign that we are playing too small. Suffering is a sign that we are on the ego's path rather than our soul's path. Pain is there to tell us that we are not where we want to be. It is there to tell us that we have lost sight of our soul's dream; that we have strayed from our highest path. Our emotions carry with them hidden gems that can be uncovered to reveal everyday miracles and lead to transformation. Open your heart, expand your mind and allow yourself to live in a state of gratitude more often than not. Gratitude will carry you from point A to B, and help ease any pain as you move through it to the other side. 

Acceptance

Learn to accept life for all it is, as it is.  And to embrace all that you are. Surrender to your inner knowing, trust in the divine plan for you and all other beings, knowing that you are safe and protected and all connected; your well-being is always of utmost priority. No matter what choices lie before you in any given moment or challenge, know that the choices presented to you will all lead to the highest good of you and all involved.

Run in the direction of your dreams, desires and what feels good for you. This will keep you in alignment, leading a life of joy, peace, love and fulfillment. Follow your internal guidance system, your inner knowing and calling. Your heart - and soul - will never lead you astray. 

Camille Lucy is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, Certified Reiki & Raindrop Technique Practitioner, Ordained Holistic Minister, graphic and web designer, business consultant, and Vice President of a local non-profit that “rehabilitates people through animals.” She is also a writer, a Mother of 3 girls, an artist, a Life-and-Love Junkie, a Self-Expression and Development advocate, and - well, you get the point. She’s a lot of things, just like all of us. Camille is also author of, The (Real) Love Experiment: Explore Love, Relationships & The Self.  Learn more about her and her adventure(s) at www.CamilleLucy.com.