Before I was born I knew how to do very complicated things, like make sure my heart, brain, and legs developed correctly. I even knew how to breathe underwater. I must have done something wrong because then I got kicked out, slapped, and was forced to breathe air. Since then, everything I've learned has been trial and error. It took about a year for me to stand up and walk, and boy, did I fall a lot before that happened. When I tried to talk, but only gurgles and sounds came out. It took about a year and a half to formulate those sounds into words. Then I had all these big people telling me what was "right and wrong". What to stop doing and what to do more of. Before I knew it, I was supposed to figure out what was right and wrong on my own. It got really confusing when I found out that other people had different ideas of what "right and wrong" was.

I wanted to scream, "Where's the instruction book? What do I do now? Who's got the answers?"

The answer is none of us do. We all have to tune in to our Inner Guidance Systems (IGS) and do the best we can. IGS is your personal GPS system. GPS, which stands for Global Positioning System, is a device which is used to show you your exact position on the earth anytime, anywhere. A GPS receiver picks up signals from satellites. Just like you can find your current position with GPS, your IGS is your internal guidance system, your inner wisdom. It's that place inside of you that has all the answers. It's usually non-verbal. It's that inner knowing that you were born with. But when was the last time you actually used it? Do you even know where your IGS is? When was the last time you saw it or heard it? Even more importantly, when was the last time you listened to it, really listened? Because there's an awful lot of static from other people's Inner Guidance Systems, which are influenced by political and cultural views (and what we hear from the media), that impact what we think about.

How do you find your own IGS and tune in? Well, you have to start with your body; it's the only physical thing you have. Just like the GPS receiver which picks up the signals from the satellites, your body is like the receiver that picks up the signals from other people and from the world around you. So when you are talking to someone and your stomach starts to hurt--pay attention (it may not be food related). Pay attention when your energy drains, your brain becomes confused, or you get the feeling that the rug has been pulled out from under your feet. You're probably with a toxic person. Pay attention when you feel safe, secure, relaxed and when it's easy to breathe. You're probably with a person who is supportive and understands and cares for you. (Did you just take a breath when you read the last sentence?)

Which state would you rather be in - toxic or supported? Why then do we often allow ourselves to accept the less desirable state? Because we don't trust ourselves and our Inner Guidance System. Because we've been programmed to be polite instead of aware. On a daily basis, start to watch your energy. How often are you feeling drained and how often are you feeling charged? Knowing this is a start to taking charge of your life and reconnecting with the wisdom you gave away to others, because that's what they said was best for you. But they lost the instruction book when they lost their umbilical cords, too.