Listening to my gut might have saved my life

I was driving down the highway a couple weeks ago when it was time for me to merge from the 2nd lane to the exit lane. I had a “weird” feeling inside but thought that it had to do with the annoying fact that I was stuck between the guy in front of me (who had just cut me off before he decided to drive slower than the speed limit) and the guy next to me, who was traveling at the exact speed as the guy in front of me. Gauging the differences between the cars around me and the speed of the general traffic, I decided it was best not to tailgate but rather slow down to get behind the car next to me so that I could get over.

 Well, I didn’t really decide not to tailgate. It was as if a voice had said in my ear, “Don’t tailgate.”

 I think I can say with good faith that I generally do not tailgate, because driving in the Bay Area has its crazy moments. My partner and I often talk about the fact that tailgating is a recipe for disaster when the traffic and drivers are so unpredictable.

In this moment, though, I had wanted to tailgate, because I was annoyed with the driver in front of me for cutting me off and then slowing down. That’s double rude, don’t you think?

But the voice was very stern in my ear. “Don’t tailgate.” Despite my annoyance, I slowed back and began to get over to the right. I have learned at this point of my life that “the voice” – that inner knowing, my intuition, or my “gut” – was protecting me, so I didn’t argue with it.

“Don’t tailgate,” the voice continued. I scanned the road in front of me, looking for any signs of trouble. Nothing, it was all good, but I kept my distance from the cars in front of me anyway as I made my way to the exit lane.

And then, as soon as I was in the exit lane, it happened. A 10 foot ladder came flying out of the pick-up truck in front of me. It bounced twice in the road before stopping in the middle of the lane. I swerved around another large piece of metal flying at me as I broke hard and then was able to get around the ladder, slowly, by driving in the shoulder.

My heart was pounding in my chest. I knew what could have happened if I hadn’t listened to that voice.

Had I ignored the voice and been tailgating that truck, or even keeping the recommended distance, that ladder would have struck my car or worse, it could have flown through my windshield and injured or killed me.

When things like this happen – when I get warnings or messages – I often attribute them to my guardian angel looking out for me. Some people might call it “intuition” or simply their “gut.”

While animals are often praised for their instincts and intuition, our culture of “science” doesn’t always give humans the same credit. When we tap into our inner voice, especially in health care, some people call it “woo woo” or “quackery” and don’t take it seriously.

When we shut that voice out, we do ourselves a disservice. There are times when getting out of our heads and feeling into the situation are going to serve us far better than any “data point” or “evidence” might. That voice is there for a reason!

Has there been a time when you listened to your angels, your gut, your inner voice, and it kept you or a loved one safe? I’d love it if you’d comment below to tell your story.

In my next blog, I’ll share you how listening to my intuition helped to protect my babies from their own potential brush with disaster.

Lots of love,

Jennifer

Red, White, Blue and Chocolate

The other day I posted a picture on Facebook of the chocolate cake I had baked in honor of my son’s birthday.  With just 5 nutrient-dense ingredients, the cake satisfied on so many different levels, and it was easy to eat a piece guilt-free.

Several people have asked for the recipe, which you can access by clicking on the photo above.

How did you celebrate the 4th of July? Did you host a party? Head to the hills to watch the fireworks presentations? Admittedly I was more in the mood for and in need of some self-care, so I did a meditation in honor of the new moon, ran some errands, and then headed to the hills not to watch fireworks, but to take a walk in the fresh air at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. I had had a decision hanging over my head, and taking a long stroll out in nature, listening to the hum of the bees in the oak trees, and watching the baby quail scuttle about were the ideal way for me to tap into that inner wisdom patiently waiting to be heard above life’s cacophonous din.
 
Heeding the Inner Voice

It can be difficult to heed our inner voice amid all the “noise” that is out there, especially if the decision goes against popular thought and belief systems. And yet, once we’ve tapped into that wisdom, it’s so important to follow our hearts and speak our truths, because not doing so can impact our health on many levels. I’ve had more than one client come to see me with a sore throat or laryngitis right around the same time they had to bite their tongue due to office politics, or because of family dynamics, or simply out of fear.  Not to mention the impact on one’s emotional, mental and spiritual health, knowing you can’t necessarily do or say the right thing – at least, what is right for you.

That intrinsic need to speak my truth is one reason why I don’t send out newsletters on a pre-determined basis, or why the topics might seem a little random but are always near and dear to my heart. I mean, sure, I could hire someone to write my newsletters for me so that they arrive in your inbox at the same time on the same day each week, but I’d much rather connect with you all in my authentic voice.
 
Speaking of my voice, I know a few of you were weirded out by the meditation on love I sent out last week. That’s OK. You never know when you might need it.  The meditation is a great way to send someone you care about a healthy dose of healing love. Mostly, though, I created the meditation because it helps empower me beyond the powerlessness of mass shootings, bombings at holy sites, forced vaccinations, and ethical voids that exist among the presumed “leaders” of our world today.

 Love trumps fear every time.

If you missed the meditation, you can access it here. 

And if your health is suffering from the stress of not being able to speak your truth, send me an email by replying to this newsletter, or give me a call. We’ll give your body the nutritional support it needs so that you can reclaim your power in the ways that work best for you.