Hello everyone!
As promised, here’s the second part to ‘How to Listen To Your Inner Voice’. If you missed out on the first part, you can check it out here.
In this post, I will share another 3 more tips on how to tune into your ‘inner man’ and listen to what it’s been trying to tell you.
Tip #5 – Keep a journal
Keeping and writing in a private journal is probably one of the best ways we can unleash our thoughts, feelings and emotions at any point of time, in the most unrestrained manner. Through writing, we are being ‘forced’ to gather our train of thoughts towards our current situation and emotions, so that we can put them in words, instead of brushing it all under the carpet or living in denial from day to day.
Writing also brings clarity and awareness to what’s happening to you and around you, so you can react accordingly and make the best choices every single day. The best part is, journaling will give you hindsight in future. As you make progresses in life and then look back on your journal later on, you will witness how much you have grown or even see things falling in places. You will also understand how you have become who you are today, if not for those experiences and emotions that you had to go through in the past.
Nevermind if you can’t write well or have bad English. This journal is meant to be personal and accessible only by you. As long as you can understand it, that’s all it matters.
If you are like me, you can also create a blog and start journaling about the things you are passionate of, or share about what inspires you or what you have learned in life. This is also another powerful way of learning more about yourself, your values, interests and beliefs. Do bear in mind not to post your rantings and other negative stuff on the blog. No one likes to read them, plus blogs are public spaces, which can get you into trouble if the post goes overboard.
You can write weekly, bi-weekly or even daily. It’s up to you to set the pace, the main goal is to get in touch yourself, as well as not to lose touch with yourself. If you are wondering what to write in your journal. Start by asking yourself these few questions:
– What did you do today? Any interesting thing that happen?
– How do you feel today? Why do you feel how you feel?
– What are the happy things that happen? Why are you happy about it?
– What are the unhappy things that happen? Why are you unhappy about it? How can you manage/improve this so you don’t face the same situation again?
– What’s the one meaningful thing you learn today? Any inspiring things happening?
– What’s the one thing you are grateful for today?
– What’s the one thing you can improve on for today?
– What’s your upcoming plans/goals for the coming week/month/year?
– Any hopes, dreams and desires that come to mind?
As you can see, there’s really a lot to think about and take stock of. With these questions, words will likely flow out of you easily in the most authentic manner. A journal is like documenting your ‘biography’ and works for your benefit, with the purpose of helping you to improve and progress.
Tip #6 – Volunteer
Sometimes the best way to tune into our inner calling is to take our focus off our own needs, and pay attention to the needs of those who are at a disadvantaged instead. When we serve those who are socially marginalized, disadvantaged and disabled in our communities, we will see that there is a greater need outside our own little world.
Helping others who are less fortunate not only help make a difference to the lives of the recipient, it’ll remind us that our time on earth is limited and not to take it for granted. You will also learn how to live in the present moment and appreciate how just by doing the little things can bring joy to the recipients (e.g. a sing-along session with the elderly at the nursing home, bringing the girls from a girls’ home to the theme park, giving free tuition to students from poor families etc.).
Besides giving our time and money, we can also serve others with our skills and talents. Are you good at making handicrafts, or do you excel in writing drawing cartoons? Consider volunteering your talents by teaching others what you are passionate about or naturally good at.
People often encountered an awakening or find their greater calling through volunteering. It is through helping others that they discover what’s meaningful to them, and that serves as a guide in helping them live out that purpose.
Tip #7 – Seek God
Whether you choose to believe it or not, human beings don’t just exist for no reason. We are not some by-product of random cosmic reactions or descendants of apes. No doubt these are fascinating theories of evolution, they derive no meaning to our present existence and everyday life. Ultimately, there is a creator of this universe and the entire human race.
His name is God.
I believe we are all put here on earth for a reason. God created each of us with a unique set of attributes, characteristics, personality, interests, talents and skills. Just as no one has identical finger prints, each of us are ‘one of a kind’ and there’s no one like you.
The bible says “I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful.” (Psalm 139:14)
The blueprint of our lives are from God, so isn’t it wiser to ask our creator directly about what we are supposed, than having to drift through life on our own searching for answers ?
Sometimes when life hits a standstill or when we are at a loss, the best thing to do is to look up and whisper a prayer to God for help, trusting that he will work things out for our good.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
I believe that when we choose to believe in God, or seek him actively by talking to him (aka prayer), reading and listening to his words, he will open up the right doors and orchestrate the right people, events and situations in our lives so that we can live out our destinies.
When in doubt, pray. Because this is what God promises:
Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)
So there you go, 3 more tips to help you listen to your inner voice. I hope you find this post useful. May you find your true calling, live out your authentic self and have a spring in your steps every single day. If you have good tips to share on this topic, please feel free to comment below!