What is Intuition? How to Use It?

in·tu·i·tion

/ˌinto͞oˈiSH(ə)n,ˌintəˈwiSH(ə)n/

noun

the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning.

Intuition is the thought that comes before logic and action. It is an innate thought aligned with our highest good. Intuition cannot be proven or not true in the moment, it simply is. You can say intuition is from the Universe, from God, from Spirit, or from your gut. It is your choice. However, ignoring your intuition can at times lead to great tragedy.

Intuition is messages shared without judgement. The best way to cultivate intuition is to listen to it, record it, and act on it. You can start to use intuition in small ways such as listening to the gentle nudge that your pet is bored and needs more of your attention. Or you can use your intuition to problem-solve a wayward child’s refusal to eat broccoli and other fresh greens.

The more you allow your intuition to come through and you act on it, the more frequently you will receive these nudges from the Universe redirecting your path. Over time, you will gain the confidence to use your intuition with more important decisions. You can use your intuition on a job interview to decide if a company feels like it has good vibes. You can use your intuition to decide if you should turn down an unknown road while on detour to a friend’s home. You can use intuition to decide if it is worth the fight of asking a neighbor to leash their dog who has just dug a hole on your property.

With logic you can talk to people and problem-solve situations through an analysis of facts and a repetition of procedures that may have worked in the past. But sometimes, the past is unpleasant, and you want to do better, or you want to do more. Use intuition to read between the lines and hear the unspoken needs and wants of others. Allow intuition to take you on a path of mystery that may last a few minutes or a lifetime.

We all have the occasional “gut feeling” about this or that in our lives. That “gut feeling” is intuition. Listen to it. Be guided by it. You can start practicing by writing down intuitive nudges about life in a journal then coming back to it after the situation passes to see if you were right.  Over time you will learn to trust yourself and sharpen your senses and therefore your intuition.

Overall, life needs a balance of logic and intuition. You need a balance of the facts, and you need a balance of going with your “gut.” With this balance you can overcome obstacles large and small.

Next Steps: Want more tips and strategies? Check out RL Collins’ latest self-help book, “The Hard Work of Happiness: 50 Life Lessons.”