“Trust your intuition,” my heart whispered. “You’re being paranoid,” my head replied.

It’s rough when our body wisdom goes against the status quo or when we feel like we’re making a social scene by following our intuition. It takes time and experimentation to learn what intuition is or what’s simply our brain getting bossy. Why do we tune out our bodies when they are clearly offering up their truth? How can we learn to trust our body wisdom and our intuition?

When my inner voice sounds like it’s auditioning for The Taming of the Shrew, that’s a pretty good sign that my brain is in bully mode and my intuition is being overruled (or at least not being listened to).

My inner voice’s wisdom is never loud and frantic—and when I’m delivering messages to myself in full sentences—it’s always going to be my brain that’s chattering away in overdrive.

When you hear that agitated inner voice, see if you can isolate it to your head. Feel the noise coming from your brain … then your body. How does it feel? You may not have words for what your body knows, so sink into the sensations. Find the calm sureness which comes from gut knowledge and heart wisdom.

What distorts our ability to hear the small voice within? What makes us ignore our intuition? Our brains will usually get overactive when we’re scared or uncertain. Fear muddies our ability to hear the voice of our heart; to trust our intuition and inner wisdom.

Step into stillness and feel what’s right for you. Remember, move your attention from your mind down into your heart. Don’t ask yourself what you think; ask yourself what you feel.

Like many of us, I’m still a work in progress. I occasionally let my desires override my good sense. One thing I do know: While learning to trust your intuition is a process, ultimately, it’s about loving yourself.

This brings us to a new year and new ways to continue in our personal growth journey.

In this issue, you will find an article on Welcoming the Unknown. Ushering in a new year can be filled with hope, but it can also feel as daunting as facing a blank sheet of paper. Dreading the unknown can be a self-sabotaging habit that keeps us wishing instead of living. Resist the urge to recount past mistakes or clutch onto what is familiar. Instead of feeling resistance, fear and anxiety, embrace eager curiosity and possibility.

Also check out this month’s great article on anti-inflammatory dieting and how it has been shown to extend life expectancy.

We also have a few tips on how to beat the winter blues and don’t miss some great advice on pelvic harmony—keeping your pelvic floor healthy.

I wish you a year of health, love and continued growth.

Shae