With a new decade upon us, and intentions for the new year ahead, there is no better time to revisit our practice of presence and understanding, as well as ways that we can hone in on our greatest strengths. I would venture to say, at their core, these strengths include a universal power of knowing without knowing, that is; a wisdom we can without having to be intentional about it, yet one that is central to all of our perceptions, interactions, snap judgements and deepest insights alike.
The journalist and author Malcolm Gladwell states in his work Blink, “the key to good decision making is not knowledge. It is understanding. We are swimming in the former. We are desperately lacking in the latter.”
In recalibrating the equation of logic, intellect and instinctual insight, we not only enhance the depth of our understanding, we tackle the depths of that which blinds us and binds us–preconceptions that don’t serve us, rigidity of thinking and more. Changing the dynamic involves more than just being aware of your gut feelings (thought that’s really important too), it involves, identifying your personal blind spots and triggers. This doesn’t mean picking yourself apart, rather, tuning in to what causes you distress and acknowledging that it has a place. This sort of perspective can help shift perceived shortcomings into places of gaining deeper insight about your own needs.
So next time your gut is “speaking” to you, or your instincts take you aback–tune in. You just might gain a fuller perspective.