I was spending a typical day in my new home; checking email, running errands, working on client files, etc.  All was good but I couldn't settle down.  I had a weird stomach ache.  I was jumpy.  This doesn't happen to me often.  So I noticed, but couldn't put my finger on it.

Then Dad called in the early afternoon saying Mom was ill and he didn't like the way she looked.   Dad is a pretty carefree guy, so when he calls I usually run.  This time my run was much shorter from my new home.  Mom was testing the new Daughter Emergency Response System!  

As I drove to their home, I realized the last time I felt unsettled like this was about a year ago.  I blamed it on too much news or too much coffee.  It turned out, Mom was sick that day.  It all starts making sense.

Dad and I are becoming seasoned in triage with Mom's health.  She wasn't in any distress.  She was sluggish and not really talking, somewhat confused.  The temperature changed by 40 degrees in the past couple of days, so it was much warmer and Mom had a little upset stomach from her lunch.  Now what?  Dad was convinced it was her lunch.  I thought it was dehydration.

If you know me, you know I can kick into my "Olivia Pope" mode and start problem solving and fixing.  It is one of my superpowers!  I start running scenarios out loud with Dad. If we call 911, if we take her to the ER or to Urgent Care...what happens next....  

We have experience here and know what happens...she will be admitted to the hospital (most likely for dehydration) and she will give up, become weak in a hospital bed then be sent to rehab.  It's not a good scenario.

So, my very intuitive father and I start monitoring her in 15 minute increments.  I make her walk around, we take her blood pressure, we give her small sips of water and we wait.  I call my sister so she can participate in the worry and treatment.  Mom looks a little better in 15 minutes, so we do it again.  Water, walk, sit up and wait. She starts perking up and talking.  Then she gets pissy with me that I am hovering over her.  We are on the road to recovery!

Within 2 hours, Mom and I are in the car, running an errand and singing "Over the Rainbow" very loudly and off key but smiling and laughing all the way.  Emergency diverted.

I don't recommend not calling 911 or seeking medical attention in an emergency.  Mom's health is a challenge.  She doesn't speak much anymore and when you need to her communicate how she is feeling to a medical professional she shuts down and they take over.

In this case, Dad and I both knew it wasn't an emergency, though we questioned our own intuition for a few minutes and made some calls and just kept waiting. If Mom had taken a turn for the worst, we would have called 911 or gone to the ER in a skinny minute.  But she didn't, she got better.

My lessons from this experience are:

1. My mother and I are intuitively connected.  I need to check on her when I feel unsettled and jumpy. 
2. My father has amazing intuition.  He kept saying to me "my gut says her lunch didn't agree with her". This isn't the first time he was right with my mother's health.  Dad rocks!
3. Trust your intuition in an emergency.  It's everyone's superpower!

Wishing you peace, love and sparks of health this holiday weekend!  Deb

It's time to talk intuition again, one of my favorite topics!  From my June 5, 2015 post, let's recap:  "As a Professional Intuitive Coach and a student of intuition, I know that intuition is the ultimate GPS for your unique road map to this life experience.  It has all the answers and all the guidance you will need.  We simply need to tune into our intuition and pay attention.  When you ask yourself 'why am I here' or what is my life's purpose?'  Get quiet and listen to your heart.  What are the messages you are hearing?  What are the signs you are seeing? What are the feelings you are feeling?"

If you are not familiar with your intuition, the good news is there are resources  to help you recognize and strengthen your intuitive abilities. I have always been aware and tried to follow my intuition.  Sometimes our logical mind gets in the way of our intuitive mind.  The more I study, practice and use my intuition the stronger it gets and the more confident I am in following it. 

This year I was introduced to the work of Simone Wright and her book "First Intelligence: Using the Science and Spirit of Intuition".  I read the book during April and May.  I had the opportunity to attend a full day workshop with Simone in October. It was an informative and interactive workshop where we discussed intuition and completed intuition exercises to gain a better understanding.

Simone describes the components of intuition, in her book, as the Intuition Triad: Peace, Precision and Perception.  

• Peace is the energetic starting point of and primary source of our intuitive action.
• Precision is the awareness with which we notice the words, thoughts, emotions and feelings we use in every moment, especially when seeking intuitive information.
• Perception is the process of becoming aware of what we notice or experience through our senses, as a reflection of reality, and aware of how to use it to shape our lives.

I resonate with the Intuition Triad as its similar to how I describe intuition:  quieting your mind, setting your intention then paying attention to the signs. 

I often write about paying attention and the signs that appear for me.  My maternal grandmother's hallmarks are pennies and rice pudding.  My paternal grandparents are a pair of cardinals that fly in front of me while driving or walking.  It's pretty cool when you know the signs.

But what do the signs mean?  How can you tell that it's a sign.  That's where your intuition comes into play.  What are the intentions you are setting or questions you are asking?  Your intuition needs focus.   Your can set your intention through conscious or subconscious thoughts or even in writing in your journal.  We each have a unique way of communicating with our intuition.  Once your intuition has focus, what are you noticing?  Are you aware of your thoughts?  Do they contain the information.  Do you hear a song on the radio where the title or lyrics spark a thought?  Remember, your intuition can be a flash of insight or feeling.  It can happen quickly; pay attention.

My experience is that my grandparents are usually bring me comforting thoughts about an issue I have.  When I see the cardinals, I let the issue go. My grandmother brings me love.  When I need a hug or a little extra love, I find a penny in my path or notice rice pudding.  I feel the love.

​I challenge you to use your intuition.  Give it focus by setting your intention.  It can be a simple question, for example, where should I go for dinner tonight?  Once you have set your intention,  pay attention to everything, the people you meet, the songs on the radio, the ads on television, etc.  What catches your eye?  Once you have an answer, try it on.  Imagine yourself at the chosen restaurant, how do you feel?  Does it feel good?  You can make a intuitive choice.

Share your experiences in the comments below.

Wishing you peace, love and sparks of intuition!  Deb