News from Jude Bijou and Attitude Reconstruction™      

 

Joy, Love, and Peace in 2017

Attitiude Reconstruction  

                                          



 
  Intuition                                            May 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

Jude  

Jude Bijou 
Jude Bijou MA MFT is a respected psychotherapist, professional educator, and workshop leader. Her multi award- winning book is a practical and spiritual handbook to help you create the life you desire.  

     ONE DAY WORKSHOP

Santa Barbara
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               June 3, 2017
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Jude,

I love what you write. This work should be required reading for everyone, whether professional or personal. If we all knew how to manage ourselves using Attitude Reconstruction, we would live in a peaceful world, free from judgment.

With love,

Linda 
Consider purchasing
Keys to a Good Life, a book that includes a collection of articles, including one by yours truly on how to deal with anxiety!

It is now available for purchase through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. and is the perfect way to find wisdom to unlock your power within.

 


Cool Quotes About Intuition





































Jonas Salk































 




 











 



 

   









Hello friends,

Did you use the Three Bridges since last month's newsletter? Did they come in handy? I cannot stress enough how useful it is to remember when you meet someone who is in the grip of ANGER, default to UNDERSTANDING. Arguing with them or offering information is of little use until they feel like their position is understood. When someone is FEARFUL, genuine REASSURANCES are the best thing you can offer. This helps to bring them back to earth and the present. And when someone is displaying SADNESS, remind them of their worth -- that is, offer APPRECIATIONS.

This month I'm going to revisit the topic of intuition.

We have two inner voices. One voice comes from the rational brain - the temptress, the rebel who wants what she wants when she wants it, the voice that is governed by "shoulds." The other voice is that still quiet inner knowing, what is called our intuition.

Our intuition is our best guide and a welcome companion to our rational mind. Together they produce an unstoppable team, and allow us to live a life of ease.... The key is to remember to listen to, and then obey, your inner voice.    
 

**** Program note:  I'm changing up the newsletter format. The "interesting articles and fun videos" are still included. However, they are hanging out at the end of this newsletter. I'm going to get right to this month's theme.

Can't Contact Your Intuition?

You may be making it harder than it is. The reality is that at any moment you can tap into your inner knowledge . Whether you're considering revving up on a third cup of coffee, dating an unavailable man, or fudging your income taxes, if you choose to listen within you will get some really helpful information. You really do know the answer. Intuition is always at the ready.

Like any skill, contacting your inner voice gets better and easier with practice. Consulting your intuition can become second nature, and as your point of reference changes, you'll no longer waste time justifying your position to others. When your intuition illuminates what's true for you and you've learned to trust it, the need for validation from others lessens.

Your life will cease to be driven by woulda, coulda, or shoulda. As you begin to trust what you hear, self-confidence grows. You slowly develop the faith that no matter what transpires or what emotions arise, you'll be alright if you stay true to what you know in your heart.

The point is to listen and then obey! Translate into action what you really know within.
 


How to Hear Your Intuition

Learning to hear your intuition requires a one hundred and eighty degree turn from "out there" to "in here." The process is straightforward but takes practice. Here's how:

    1.     Stop and be quiet. Your inner voice resides in silence so you have to slow yourself down. First, calm your body so your mind becomes more settled. Shivering vigorously for a minute will remove emotional static, as will shedding a few tears or pushing against a doorjamb. Taking several deep breaths also temporarily quiets your mind and body so you can be fully present. Accompany your soothing, centering activity by repeating truths: " Everything will be all right. One thing at a time. I know what I know."

    2.    Ask your question, general or specific. If you've never consciously called on your intuition, start with something small and immediate, such as whether you should call in sick at work. Pose your question. You might try one of these:
 
·       What's true for me about this specific topic?
·       What do I want?
·       What do I need?
·       What do I feel?
·       What do I need to do?

Or try a more specific question, such as:
·       Do I need to talk to my husband about what I'm feeling?
·       What do I need to do about my bad knee?
·       Should I work out after work tonight?
 
    3.    Be open and listen for the answer. It doesn't have to be profound; it's simply what you know beneath the mental chatter and opinions of others. One of the biggest clues that you're hearing intuition is that it feels right in your body. Hearing your heart's truth brings a peaceful inner sensation, a relaxing, freeing, "yes" feeling. How does it sound to you when you say it out loud? The wisdom of your inner voice rings pure and truthful. There's no mind noise. It brings an expansive, tranquil feeling. Messages from your heart don't begin with "I guess..." or "I think I should..." or "I'd better..." That's your mind talking. If the answer is complicated, you can be sure you aren't hearing your intuition. Likewise, if what you hear sounds flat or empty, or has a negative edge or tone, you still haven't contacted your inner voice.
 

"For the fourth time, I repeat--will the witness stop using her feminine intuition and give us the facts."

What To Do If You Can't Hear Your Intuition

You might be trying too hard. Your intuition's messages are usually fairly obvious. But if you've asked a question repeatedly and still can't hear an answer, emote, and/or repeat a reliable truth for a couple of minutes, and then ask again. Or pose your question in a different way. Trying on some different wording may be just the thing. If that's still a no-go, take a more rational, logical approach. Expand your perspective by browsing through books, crunching numbers, or seeking opinions from experts and people you respect. Put a reasonable time frame on your data collection. Then pose your question again. Your answer will emerge in due time.
 
If you're having trouble accessing your intuition, shiver some more, then gently ask your question again. More likely than not, you already do know the answer. Just stop telling yourself that you don't. Ask, "What's true for me about this specific topic?"If you doubt the answer, you can subject it to scrutiny by asking again. If you've heard your intuition, you'll get the same answer. If not, you'll hear rationalizations or justifications.
 
Do the same if you aren't getting a clear communication: ask yourself after expressing your emotions. Or set a specific time in the future to ask again. Some people recommend asking once a day and then giving it a rest. Be diligent in your inner inquiry, and something will emerge even if it is that it's not time to know yet.
 
You can also rid yourself of emotional interference by using your thoughts. If, for example, you're bombarded by negative self-talk (e.g., "I can't decide," "It doesn't matter," or "I don't care"), power on truths such as:
 
·      I know.
·     This is important.
·     I care.
As you repeat these statements, be sure to nod your head up and down, not side to side. Gently but persistently ask yourself:
·       What do I know when I'm clear?
·       What does the best of me say to do about this?
·       What's true for me about this?
Once you get a clear intuitive hit, hold on to it, it's your anchor amidst the choppy seas of the mind that will try to blow you away from your heart.


Articles

This first article is a series of profiles interviewing our elders and their cool pursuits.  
 
Second is thought-pauser. It's about a fellow who lived/ survived in the woods alone for 27 years.

Maybe you've seen this. It's a collection of dog photo bombs . A picture's worth a thousand laughs. 
  
Fourth, a map that shows you where your state ranks according to stress, state by state.  Overall California ranks 23 most stressed, virtually tied with Texas and New York. It's fascinating. They rank every state in terms of 4 areas of our lives -- work-related, money related, family related, and health and safety related. 

And last, but definitely not least, here is a link so you can explore (and follow if you so desire) the wisdom of the body set forth by Ann Todhunter Brode. Ann is a gifted body worker who blogs for the Huffington Post. If you like her perspective and would like to receive her posts, go to... www.anntodhunterbrode.com and click on "follow." 
 
Videos Guaranteed to Amaze!  
 
Here's one of a 93 year old man telling a great story about his Valentines in 1933. He wins the storytelling contest! 

This is mostly a picture essay of c ute baby elephants.

And if you like cats, or even if you don't, this video of Maru and various hairstyles is a classic. I can't help but laugh.




Hey Jude, 
 
Here are a couple of common questions and my answer about the subject of our intuition.

1. Sometimes I hear my intuition but instead of following it, I do what I think I should do?

Tapping into our intuition is one thing. Obeying it is another. Our habitual drive to control events or seize momentary pleasure makes listening a bit tough. Being true to our intuition may be inconvenient or uncomfortable. It may not jibe with other people's desires. That's why all too often the mind undermines faith in your inner voice. Moving out of your parents' house and getting an apartment or taking a job that pays considerably less could feel daunting but be intuitively correct.

When you ask within, "Is this relationship over?" and hear a resounding yes, the part of you that resists change and wants to avoid pain laments, "I don't want to break up. Not right before the holidays. I can't bear the thought of him becoming involved with someone else."

Your mind is seductive! It can convince you of almost anything, including settling for the status quo. You start doubting yourself. "Maybe my standards are too high. Maybe he'll change. At least he's not violent. Maybe I'll never find anyone any better." Six months later, there you are in the same unfulfilling relationship. Why? Because you ignored your intuition to avoid the temporary pain of breaking up.

2. My intuition has always been strong, but I routinely discount it because I want to please everybody.

Easily accessing your intuition is a special gift, so good work there. Feeling pressure to be logical and conform to what we think others want is fairly common. Pleasing others is a tough habit to break. Remind yourself that your inner knowing is your most trusted friend. Practice giving it the right of way, and you'll see that your choices will yield a life of joy, love, and peace, now and over the long run. 
       Please consider this your last invitation to attend the June communication class. You'll learn a lot, see we're all in the same boat, and experience the time going quickly.

I'm sending you best wishes for a lovely spring, hanging with your best bud, your intuition.


Thanks for reading this newsletter. If you have any feedback, suggestions about a newsletter theme, or general comments, I enjoy hearing from you, so write me at: [email protected]
  
                           With love,
                                                                    Jude