The Twirling Leaf or Staying Alert for Subtle Messages

Just recently I was feeling a little down. Things had been slow financially the last few weeks and I was feeling the “pinch”. Then one day I was in Santa Cruz and went for a walk in my beloved Pogonip. I love walking in Pogonip. There’s such a sweet energy there and a varied landscape of hills, views, woods, redwoods, meadows and a creek. I had just been sitting in my favorite meadow to meditate and was feeling at peace on rising. I followed the path into the woods and was suddenly struck by a slender, solitary yellow leaf twirling in the distance. I walked right up to it and found myself in a circle of redwoods. The air was still. All other foliage motionless. Yet this one leaf that was actually attached to a dead branch by a thread of cobweb was twirling around like a whirling dervish.

I stood entranced. My mind wasn’t particularly interested in trying to work out why this one leaf, and not even another next to it caught in the cobweb, was moving. What captivated me was an intense feeling of being spoken to. I was receiving a subtle reminder that activity was happening behind the scenes, that I was very much a part of the entire movement of the Universe, that I was not disengaged, out on a limb or forgotten. My sense of communication with this solitary twirling leaf was so intense that I asked it, or whatever was moving it to twirl in the other direction. The leaf slowed down, bounced from side to side and then promptly swung round to now spin in the opposite direction.

My heart flooded with gratitude for this magical interaction. I felt my world open up into something so much more vast and meaningful. As I continued along my path I felt cleansed of all previous concerns and awash in the calming beauty of the dark trickling creek, the tawny fir needles and the graceful, nurturing trees.

The following day a new client called and a former client the day after that. Money was flowing in once again and the feeling of peace, gratitude and connection to the great All That Is hasn’t left me for a second. It’s hard when facing the unknown and the challenges of being in transition to maintain this vibrant sense of trust, peace and wellbeing.

We are more receptive to subtle messages when we become quiet, open and present. Make some room for time to be still and appreciative, so you can respond to the support of your inner guidance. Subtle messages visit us in many different ways; kind words, a rush of gratitude for someone or something you were taking for granted, a phrase that you read that fills you with its meaning, a sudden change of attitude, the landing of a ladybug on your hand wishing you good luck. The power of the message lies in how fully you receive it, how completely it can transform you into an expansive state where you readily believe that the absolute highest outcome is being created right in this very moment.

© 2009 Nicola Walker, Clarity for Life

Want to use this article in your own newsletter or website? You can as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Nicola Walker, transitions coach, helps people who are feeling stuck, unclear or distracted achieve their most cherished goals with her 21-Day Inner Guidance Coaching Program. She offers a free half hour phone coaching consultation. Visit her website, http://www.clarityforlife.com to find out more.

Inner Guidance is Always Available – But Are You Listening?

Even though I’ve been connecting with my inner wisdom for guidance for over 20 years, there have been times when I’ve been furious because my inner guidance has seemingly deserted me. I want answers but my body is tense with exasperation from the grim silence that I face like a wall. My inner wisdom can help me and is ready and willing to help me, but I am focused on my emotional response to the problem and so I am not open enough to see, hear or sense the answers I seek. It reminds me of a passage in Richard Bach’s book, One, where his guides say we were longing to help you but you were so upset that you couldn’t hear us.

Answers are not always instantly available, but your inner guidance never deserts you. Guidance is a gentle wisdom that reassures you, shows you your next small step or opens you to the peace of your true Nature, that is not dependant on outer circumstances looking a certain way. When you tense up in your efforts to receive guidance, or become too embroiled in the story of your suffering, or move to far ahead of yourself, you are not open and relaxed enough to connect with guidance, to receive guidance.

Inner guidance is always present because it is part of our true Nature. Set down your problems, like you would put down your luggage while waiting for a train. Be willing to wait a while, without trying to work it out. Your problems may even disappear. Try to resist running after them. Simply notice the wisdom and guidance that speaks from your heart and your own sense of knowing.