You know the one…that still, small, inner voice that speaks in profound messages. It starts out real quiet - so quiet that we easily ignore it at first. Then it slowly gets louder and louder, so loud that it can’t be ignored. Sometimes it beats us across the side of the head to get the message across to us! Y’know the one?!

That still, small voice spoke to me before I got married. It asked, “Will you really be able to live with this man for the rest of your life?” I squashed it right away. I didn’t want to hear it. I was so far down the road of preparing for a beautiful white wedding, that I couldn’t bear to hear the message inside the question.

That still, small voice spoke to me as I started my career. My first job was as a management consultant in one of the Big 5 accounting firms. Everyone was so busy, making work a priority over family and life, and what was it all for? My inner voice told me I wanted a simpler life.

That still, small voice spoke to me before I got on the path to recovery. It told me I needed to find another way to live. I wasn’t healthy, in body, mind or spirit. My spirit felt broken, my core covered up. The way I was coping wasn’t working. I listened and got some help.

That still, small voice spoke to me about my marriage. “You know what you have to do.” It took 3 tries, and I finally did it. I left my marriage of 9 years.

That still, small voice spoke to me before I burned out. It told me: “Stop the activity. Make it a priority to be.” I didn’t listen. It whacked me across the side of the head, shut me down, physically and emotionally. I didn’t have any choice but to start listening!

The cost of continually not listening to that inner voice is too high. The payoff is great when I do listen! It tells me:

“Slow down and relax.”
“Pace yourself.”
“Trust your inner knowing and intuition.”
“Everything will work out OK.”
“Stop the rush of activity. Just be. Still. Silent.”

That still, small voice speaks to me whenever I get quiet and stop the busyness. It’s been telling me to write. It’s been telling me to step into my greatness. It’s been telling me to share my stories. I’m listening.

“I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I fall in.
I am lost...I am hopeless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

“I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I’m in the same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I see it is there.
I still fall in…it’s a habit
My eyes are open
I know where I am
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I walk around it.

I walk down another street.”

– Autobiography in Five Chapters