When we hear the word "intuition" we often tend to
scoff in disbelief or regard such things as old wives' tales.
Tell that to the cop on the beat.
Sheriff Ralph Ogden of Yuma County, Arizona was walking through
a shopping mall parking lot when, for no reason other than a 'hunch',
he used his portable radio to inquire about the license plate
of a car parked there. When the dispatcher returned with word
that the car was listed as stolen, Sheriff Ogden was astounded
(and the thief was arrested).
Later, he realized what his Essential Silent Partner (otherwise
known as his intuitive mind) had seen that which his conscious
mind had missed; the car's rear licence plate was covered with
squashed bugs! Either that car had been driven in reverse really
fast, or it was the front licence plate from another car.
Had the Sheriff not listened to his E.S.P., the bad guy
might have escaped.
Whether we use the term 'subconscious', 'intuitive', 'unconscious',
'right brain', or 'inarticulate mind', we are referring to the
same phenomenon. It's that part of our mind, our Essential
Silent Partner, which observes, records, and analyzes our
environment, astonishing us with its insight, hunches, and 'gut'
feelings.
Have you ever gone to bed with a seemingly insolvable problem
vexing you, only to awaken with the solution in mind? Where did
the answer come from?
All of us have made the drive from work to home, our minds preoccupied
with pressing details to the extent that we can't remember making
a single lane change or stopping at a single traffic light. Yet
we arrived home safely. Who drove?
Did you ever meet someone for the first time and, for some reason,
you didn't feel comfortable about that individual's character?
Later, when he or she betrayed a confidance or did something dishonest,
you reminded yourself, "I never trusted that person!"
Why not?
In the above examples, our E.S.P. found the answer, manuvered
through traffic, and identified the characteristics of an untrustworthy
personality.
How can we cultivate this capability? Give your E.S.P.
a wake-up call by using this A.L.A.R.M:
A=Acknowledge - You must begin by acknowledging that this
part of your mind not only is a natural facet of your personality
but also is an incredibly perceptive, extremely analytical one
as well. Once you realize that it's there, ready to respond in
your behalf, the rest is easy.
L=Listen - You can hire the most knowledgable consultants
but if you don't listen to their advice, your investment has been
squandered. Learn to distinguish the voice of your E.S.P. from
those of self-doubt or wishful thinking by keeping a diary. Log
your hunches and insights and occasionally refer back to those
notes. You'll be amazed at the accuracy of your perceptions and
you will begin to trust that inner voice.
A=Act - Taking action on the information you've been given
is vital. How would you feel if, after giving good advice to a
friend, that person ignored your counsel? Chances are you would
cease trying to be helpful. The same can be said of your E.S.P.
Taking action doesn't mean throwing common sense out the window.
You must still pass those insights through the filters of experience,
logic, and reason.
R=Reward - When you find that your E.S.P. has benefited
you, reward yourself. I treat myself to a fine Havana cigar after
one of those wonderful inspirations; my wife uses chocolate. Behavior
which is rewarded gets repeated, whether it's puppies, children,
associates, or your inarticulate mind.
M=Maintain - Use it or lose it. Like any other skill, your
intuition must be exercised on a regular basis. Muscles not used
will wither and atrophy; so will your E.S.P. if you neglect it.
In high school, because my curriculum demanded it, I could solve
a quadratic equation with ease. Now, many years later, I can't
even recognize one. I didn't use it and I lost it.
Albert Einstein, when asked how he developed his theories, said,
"The greatest thing we can experience is the (subconscious);
it is the true source of all great art and science."
I have a hunch he was right.
Copyright 2000, Lee Earle. Lee is a professional member of the National Speakers Association and a director of its state Chapter, the Arizona Speakers Association. He can be reached by telephone at (623) 247-6575, by fax at (623) 247-4665, and by e-mail addressed to: Lee@Lee-Earle.com. He specializes in after-dinner entertainment and in presentations such as "Develop Your Power Memory".
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