Julie Powell, author of the best selling book Julie and Julia, shared her success story at the Missoula Businesswomens Network’s Fifth Women’s Symposium last Saturday, February 20, 2010. Julie candidly told the 400 women who attended the luncheon she did not develop nor follow a business plan to write her best selling novel which was then made into a movie starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. She pointed out how both chance and perfect timing played a major role in finding her voice as a writer. Julie contributed her success to listening to the wisdom of her little voice.  She said, “The crazier your ‘little voice’ is, the more you want to listen.”

Do you listen to your little voice?  Or do you ignore, over-rule and discount what your little voice tells you, based on whether you agree or not?

One of my blessings acquired from living with a brain injury was tuning in to hear my little voice. Previous to my brain injury, I depended on my brain to be my primary intelligence. After my brain injury, my window of intelligent thinking lasted two hours each day before I metamorphosed in to my dazed and confused self. My little voice took over and guided me after my cognitive brain fizzled out.  At times, my little voice prompted me to do things that didn’t make sense to me. But I did what I felt inspired do and things turned out surprisingly well.

Why? Partly based on what Julie Powell said, chance and perfect timing. Once my brain battery fizzled out, logic and reason faded, fear and judgment dissipated.  Since my brain was not able to interfere,  I listened and heard my little voice.  I learned to trust and rely on my little voice, which over the years has guided, directed, corrected, comforted, protected and blessed me.

Guess what? My little voice turned out to be far wiser (insightful), creative, and daring than my logical brain. Since my brain injury I’ve developed other synergistic intelligences, too. The knowing of my heart, my gut feelings, my ability to sense other’s emotions, an awareness that Angels are present to help me, all of which more than compensate for my cognitive deficits.

As I regained my cognitive abilities, I’ve allowed my logical intelligence to discount, ignore or over-rule my intuitive intelligences on occasion, regrettably. The perfect combination is when my little voice and logical brain team up to form a dynamic duo. At times it feels like a duel.   

Does your intellect or logical mind over-rule or discount your internal intelligences?  Do you seek or ignore the wisdom of your little voice?

Whenever I find myself shifting back to old patterns I remind myself, “My brain was not designed to keep up with the busyness that exists in today’s world. My brain is responsible for operating every function in my body. It seems like an unfair burden to rely solely on my intellect and logical reasoning to make critical decisions, too. The answers and guidance I want and need reside deep within me. All I need to do is ask and then listen … to the wisdom of my little voice.

How about you?