"TOLD YOU SO!" SINCERELY, YOUR GUT
I recently came across a quote which went something along the lines of “...your brain can play tricks, your heart can blind, but your gut is always right”, and it got me thinking whether my “rightest” moves in life so far have been mind, heart or gut driven? My first reaction was “Rational mind driven, of course”, but is it really so? And what is this whole gut feeling aka instict, sixth sense, inner voice, and spiritual guide really all about? According to Einstein, it is our "sacred gift" which the modern society has forgotten about. Or has it? Here’s my experience with my gut...gut feeling, I mean.
3 STORIES, THE SAME GUT
#1
On 28th of September 1994, the cruise ferry Estonia was on its way from Tallinn to Stockholm. It was a dark, cold, stormy – totally miserable!- night. This was also the very night when the ferry sank with 852 passengers on board. It was a huge tragedy for many families, nations, and countries. And for me- it was my second birthday! Despite having planned all summer to go on a Stockholm cruise on the very same date, I never boarded that ferry. When it was time to buy the tickets, it appeared that I had a big geography test scheduled for the following date, and postponing it for the coming week...well, it just didn't feel right. It didn’t feel right in my gut!
#2
Three years ago after completing my studies in London, I decided to start looking around for a new professional challenge. I had even prepared a list of "must-haves" my new dream job had to have. I ended up with two equally attractive offers on the table – both companies wanting me and -well!- me wanting them both too. Both offering equally good conditions, opportunites for growth, and exciting challenges. In the end, I went for the one that wasn’t international (although this was something I had put down in my list), not so conveniently located (which would have saved me quite a bit of time with logistics in the early morning rush hour), and not so innovative as far as the field of business was concerned (again one of my initial “must-haves”). The other company I didn’t go for (international; literally 7 minutes walk from my house, and all about innovation) closed its doors some 7 months later. How did I make my choice then? I listened to my gut.
#3
I was in a long-term relationship which had run its course, however we both kept trying to do the “right thing” by staying in it. Some 6 months before the grand finale, I kept having the same recurring dream: I was in a brand new apartment with all new things around me, it was bright and sunny, and I remember breathing in so heavily as if I had been without oxygen for a very-very long time. It felt painful, yet so liberating at the same time. Today, 5 years later, I have never looked back – it was the best decision of my life. Thank you, gut, for the message!
SO HOW DO I KNOW WITHOUT REALLY KNOWING?
I have consciously started taking more notice of my gut “talking” to me and the signs that I now refuse to ignore (which also so far have proved to be the best options for myself) are:
WHY GUT?
I was really curious (surprise-surprise!) why something as unexpected as a gut has been chosen as the “messenger” of the most valuable information. Apparently, it has been detected that brain may not be our only source of intuitive wisdom and more attention is now paid how nerve cells in the gut interact with the brain. Those intestinal nerve cells contain most of the body’s serotonin, a neurotransmitter that influences the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems, as well as our emotional and psychological well-being. What’s even more fascinating, then that particular receptor these gut cells use to process serotonin is identical to the receptor used in the proportions of the brain where intuitive thinking occurs. Since it is still fairly vague how that helps us, then it is likely that learning more about the interaction between the brain and the gut may lead us to more balanced decisions. That’s the interpretation of the modern world's research! But the phrase is way older than the new research theories, right? Correct! Actually, it is derived from as early as the Biblical times where it was commonly believed that various parts of the body were directly related to certain natural functions or abilities. For instance, the heart, the head, the hand, the foot, the gut (in its abstract description) were all seen as centres of some of man's physical, mental, emotional or spiritual attributes. There you go - our ancestors knew their stuff!
At times it is truly bizarre to know, whilst not being capable of explaining how or why we just know-do something: why do we at times feel that today is better to walk instead of driving a car (although it is raining cats and dogs)? Why does it feel right to quit a stable job and move to Bali? Why do you get a sudden urge to call your dear one (and then it appears they are in trouble)? It is this unexpected, strong feeling inside us, and it is completely up to us whether we choose to listen to it or not. True, it is us making the choices in the end, but if we could be happier, better off, and healthier as a result, then maybe co-operating with one's gut could be beneficial? No harm listening to it anyways!
So when you ask me to name my superpower, then without any hesitation - it is my gut feeling! The Gut Almighty!
3 STORIES, THE SAME GUT
#1
On 28th of September 1994, the cruise ferry Estonia was on its way from Tallinn to Stockholm. It was a dark, cold, stormy – totally miserable!- night. This was also the very night when the ferry sank with 852 passengers on board. It was a huge tragedy for many families, nations, and countries. And for me- it was my second birthday! Despite having planned all summer to go on a Stockholm cruise on the very same date, I never boarded that ferry. When it was time to buy the tickets, it appeared that I had a big geography test scheduled for the following date, and postponing it for the coming week...well, it just didn't feel right. It didn’t feel right in my gut!
#2
Three years ago after completing my studies in London, I decided to start looking around for a new professional challenge. I had even prepared a list of "must-haves" my new dream job had to have. I ended up with two equally attractive offers on the table – both companies wanting me and -well!- me wanting them both too. Both offering equally good conditions, opportunites for growth, and exciting challenges. In the end, I went for the one that wasn’t international (although this was something I had put down in my list), not so conveniently located (which would have saved me quite a bit of time with logistics in the early morning rush hour), and not so innovative as far as the field of business was concerned (again one of my initial “must-haves”). The other company I didn’t go for (international; literally 7 minutes walk from my house, and all about innovation) closed its doors some 7 months later. How did I make my choice then? I listened to my gut.
#3
I was in a long-term relationship which had run its course, however we both kept trying to do the “right thing” by staying in it. Some 6 months before the grand finale, I kept having the same recurring dream: I was in a brand new apartment with all new things around me, it was bright and sunny, and I remember breathing in so heavily as if I had been without oxygen for a very-very long time. It felt painful, yet so liberating at the same time. Today, 5 years later, I have never looked back – it was the best decision of my life. Thank you, gut, for the message!
SO HOW DO I KNOW WITHOUT REALLY KNOWING?
I have consciously started taking more notice of my gut “talking” to me and the signs that I now refuse to ignore (which also so far have proved to be the best options for myself) are:
- “It doesn’t feel right (in my body)...” – it is all about paying close attention to how my body reacts to certain events, people, and decisions made. Feelings of anxiousness, a racing heart, nausea, sweating, getting goose bumps, insomnia, finding it hard to breathe or experiencing a feeling of choking are valuable signs for me. Why is my body reacting like that? What is it trying to tell me? What should I look out for? Listen up as this may be really important!
- “This is it!!!” – this is the little voice inside me that speaks up once something I have found feels healthy and truly right for me. Imagine the possible scenarios and outcomes of the decisions made, and sense how your body reacts. Do you feel like a burden has lifted from your shoulders or is it weighing you down instead? Are you standing now more upright, your breathing is calmer, and you feel relaxed? Feeling the outcomes bodily via using imagination to "see" the results makes decision-making much easier!
- “I keep dreaming about it” – I have learned firsthand that dreams at times convey some really powerful meanings and messages (exactly like my story #3 above). If something in its metaphorical form keeps recurring, then it is definitely worthwhile to give it some more thought. Why such a dream? Why now? Why to me? By the way, keeping a dream journal may be also handy for putting the puzzle pieces together.
WHY GUT?
I was really curious (surprise-surprise!) why something as unexpected as a gut has been chosen as the “messenger” of the most valuable information. Apparently, it has been detected that brain may not be our only source of intuitive wisdom and more attention is now paid how nerve cells in the gut interact with the brain. Those intestinal nerve cells contain most of the body’s serotonin, a neurotransmitter that influences the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems, as well as our emotional and psychological well-being. What’s even more fascinating, then that particular receptor these gut cells use to process serotonin is identical to the receptor used in the proportions of the brain where intuitive thinking occurs. Since it is still fairly vague how that helps us, then it is likely that learning more about the interaction between the brain and the gut may lead us to more balanced decisions. That’s the interpretation of the modern world's research! But the phrase is way older than the new research theories, right? Correct! Actually, it is derived from as early as the Biblical times where it was commonly believed that various parts of the body were directly related to certain natural functions or abilities. For instance, the heart, the head, the hand, the foot, the gut (in its abstract description) were all seen as centres of some of man's physical, mental, emotional or spiritual attributes. There you go - our ancestors knew their stuff!
At times it is truly bizarre to know, whilst not being capable of explaining how or why we just know-do something: why do we at times feel that today is better to walk instead of driving a car (although it is raining cats and dogs)? Why does it feel right to quit a stable job and move to Bali? Why do you get a sudden urge to call your dear one (and then it appears they are in trouble)? It is this unexpected, strong feeling inside us, and it is completely up to us whether we choose to listen to it or not. True, it is us making the choices in the end, but if we could be happier, better off, and healthier as a result, then maybe co-operating with one's gut could be beneficial? No harm listening to it anyways!
So when you ask me to name my superpower, then without any hesitation - it is my gut feeling! The Gut Almighty!