Photo by neotint |
It's that last one that can get pretty dicey if you're not careful. I probably write about the perils of not listening, or not paying attention to, or worse yet, not acting on messages I've heard and paid attention to (and perhaps even given lip service to - by what? By writing a blog post or two on the subject?) more than I care to admit even to myself. But here it is. Again.
Don't get me wrong. I do my best to walk my talk and pay attention to the messages I receive daily. And yes, when I'm 'tuned in,' I get messages a lot. Every day. Indeed, I rely on my abilities to discern meaning in the seemingly mundane, and I devote a good amount of care and attention to paying attention, listening deeply, and noticing little things that might easily be overlooked.
Ummm, Don't Drink It?
Photo by Jeff Tidwell |
So why in the world do I keep insisting upon writing about and seemingly harping upon the necessity for all of us to not only pay attention to the messages we receive but to heed them by acting upon them? Because it can be a real kick in the ass when we don't.
One example? If you've read my book Owl Medicine (available as an ebook, too!), you know that my refusal to listen to the messages I was receiving ended up with a face-plant in a creek that easily could have killed me but luckily only resulted in a broken tooth, spectacular bruises, and many weeks of barely being able to walk without assistance.
And I'd like to spare you the pain if I can. Because as seasoned as I am in being a messenger, the responsibilities that come with being the messagee, and there are indeed responsibilities with that role, too, can be seductively easy to shirk. Yes, even for a messenger.
Don't Just Sit There - DO Something!
So, don't beat yourself up for not being perhaps the best listener to, or 'receiver' of, messages. Instead, make a point to take one step, every day, to not only pay attention and listen, but then also to act on a message you've received.
See what happens.
And if you know you've received a message, but can't quite figure out what it means or how you might act upon it, feel free to reach out to me. I'd be glad to give you my perspective and help you figure out what the message might mean specifically to you.
Gratitude Goes a Long Way
Photo by Lisa Weikel |
What do you think? Do you receive messages? And if so, do you make a point of demonstrating your appreciation? Do you act upon your messages? How could you be a better 'receiver?'