The best way I have found to follow my true desires is to pay attention to my intuitive sense.  We all have great wisdom within us, a part of us that knows exactly what we need at every moment.  We are born with this intuitive sense, but most of us are quickly taught to distrust and ignore it.  We have to relearn something that should come naturally.  Fortunately, it's not too difficult; it just takes some practice.

Following your intuition is not some lofty mystical experience.  In fact, it is simple and practical -- it is learning to trust your gut feelings.  It's important to practice with the seemingly small things in life.

A friend recently described this experience to me:  She was working on a writing project in her home office when she realized she was feeling quite depressed.  A friend called, and when she mentioned how she was feeling, he asked her "What would lift your spirits?"  She instantly felt, "I'd love to get my dog and take a walk in this gorgeous weather."

Immediately she felt guilty, knowing how much work she had to do.  She forced herself to work two more hours, but got little accomplished.  Finally she took the walk, felt much better, and was inspired to complete the project in time.

This is a simple and beautiful example of how, when we can trust and follow our intuitive feelings about what we need moment by moment, things have a way of working out smoothly.  When we don't, we often end up feeling blocked, frustrated, or depressed.

Here is a great definition of enlightenment:  to be immersed in and surrounded by peace.

Your highest self only wants you to be at peace.  It does not judge, compare, or demand that you defeat anyone, or be better than anyone.  It only wants you to be at peace.  Whenever you are about to act, ask yourself this question:  "Is what I am about to say or do going to bring me peace?"  If the answer is yes, then go with it and you will be allowing yourself the wisdom of your highest self.  If the answer is no, then remind yourself that it is your ego at work.

The ego promotes turmoil because it wants to substantiate your separateness from everyone, including God.  It will push you in the direction of judgment and comparison, and cause you to insist on being right and best.  You know your highest self by listening to the voice that only wants you to be at peace.

Manifest Your Destiny. Wayne Dyer
This book provides a fascinating perspective of the world and our place in it. Just how much of our lives is under our own control? More than we think, Dyer says.

"Site to Be Developed."  When you see this sign you know someone is preparing to put up a building of some kind.  It may be an improvement over what currently exists on the site, or it may do more damage than good.  We have all seen nature destroyed in the name of development.

Think of yourself as a site to be developed.  Remember that different sites are suited for different types of development.  What is your goal?  What resources are available, and what will best fit your site?  Look yourself over and get a feeling for your site.  Ask for help from developers and landscapers.  Then begin construction.  Don't worry about what the sidewalk supervisors think about the structure you are building.  This structure is going up on your property and you decide what it will be, or you will find no joy in the life you construct.  It will be someone else's building and you will be stuck in it.

A project under development.  A white canvas or a hunk of potter's clay.  I offer metaphors to remind you that you can change yourself and create a more fulfilling life -- if you remember my mother's advice to make the decisions that will make you happy.  You can create and re-create.  This is not about selfishness, but about authenticity.

While coaching gymnastics at Stanford University, I walked into a workout one day and found Jack, the team captain, lying on the mat, stretching -- grasping one of his legs and pulling it toward his chest.  As I walked by, I saw him grimace and heard him groan, "Oh, God, I hate this -- it hurts so much!"  I didn't know whether he was talking to me, to himself, or complaining to God, but I felt as if I'd wandered into a Mel Brooks movie.  I wanted to ask Jack, "Who's doing it to you?  If it hurts that bad, why don't you let up a little?"  This holds true for your life as well:  If it hurts so much, why don't you let up a little?

The moment we recognize the degree to which our difficulties are self-imposed, we begin to heal them.  We end self-sabotage only by taking responsibility for the choices and actions that created it.  Only when we stop blaming our boss or government or parents or spouse or partner or children or circumstances or fate or God can we change our lives and say with conviction, "I chose where I am now, and I can choose something better."

Of course, not every misadventure, injury, or problem is created by your subconscious owing to low self-worth.  For all we know, certain difficulties or challenges are gifts from God or arranged by our souls in order to test and temper our spirit.  As the old proverb says, "Take it as a blessing or take it as a test; whatever happens, happens for the best."  And as it happens, adversities may sometimes contain their own blessings.

excerpted from Dan Millman's
Everyday Enlightenment

You control the direction of your life.  Only your self-concept limits you from achieving your fullest capacity.  Since changes in behavior generally precede changes in attitude, action directed toward your vision will increase your sense of purpose and belief in the possibility of success.

How can you develop a self-concept linked to your untapped potential?  First, you can decide on the kind of life you would like to lead in ten or fifteen years.  This will give you a standard for making decisions about current activities and will reduce the inclination to compare yourself unfavorably to others.  Learn to ask, "How would I handle  this situation were I the person I hope to become?"  And then take action in line with your vision.

If an activity has no relationship to your vision, you may realize that you don't want to choose it.  Would the person that you want to be take on those extra tasks, drive a particular automobile, engage in particular business practices?  Defining your vision will minimize your indecision in making choices about matters unrelated to your goals.

Many people promise themselves that some day they are going to "let go" and do what they want to do.  Unfortunately, the day never comes.  Only when circumstances push them to a point where they have "nothing to lose" do they do what they have always wanted to do.

John Bradshaw has touched and changed millions of lives through his nationally televised PBS series and his best-selling books. His previous book, Homecoming, introduced the concept of the inner child to a vast new audience. Now he defines the "next great stage of growth"--how we can work to create healthy, loving relationships in every part of our lives.

Written for everyone who has struggled with painful relationships and is seeking hope and a new direction, Creating Love is a life-changing book.

For me one of the most significant consequences of imaginatively embracing my inner child was that it gave me a way to be compassionate with myself.  When I look in the mirror, even now, the old voices of blame, comparison, and self-contempt start playing.  Even after years of hearing new voices in my friendships and community fellowship, I can hear those old posthypnotic tapes.  For years I read books that offered techniques to help one love oneself.  I stared in the mirror and  said, "I love you, John," over and over.  It helped for a few minutes and then the voices got worse.

Techniques are basically useless until one has restored social contact and self-acceptance.  We need social support and we need to emotionally embrace our rejected and split-off parts.  The image of ourselves as a child is the fastest and soundest way I have ever found to embrace these parts.