The Small Voice

Are you waking in the night, tossing and turning and thinking about bills you can’ t pay?  Do you take high blood pressure or depression medication, overeat, under-eat, or drink too much?  It’s a large boat you’re sailing in, with many others feeling the same pressures about life.  People have to find release from such anxiety, and do so in many ways.  Self-indulgence is one way, as is over-committing to causes, some healthy and others just divergences. 

Some people cope with their stress by taking on more work (second jobs, longer hours) in an attempt to make more money to relieve the pressure of debt.  While more money may be helpful, is there a toll being taken by more time away from home and family, less rest, more money spent on travel and associated costs of spending more time working?  Is it really worth it?  Others spend their time in healthier commitments, such as church and church activities.  While no one can find fault with this type of commitment, is this for everybody?  Probably not!  Charitable activities are great for taking our minds off of our troubles, and focusing on someone else’s, but only if we can keep guilt at bay that we should be doing more to help ourselves with our time (back to the second job). 

What is the answer, then?  Maybe we need to take a look at our basic needs, and if they are being met.  We need physical sustenance, shelter, hope for the future, and yes, a good sense of self.  This may be the most important of our needs, and when met, the key to achieving everything else.  It’s hard to feel good about yourself when you feel out of control.  That feeling creates a spiral effect that causes us to overindulge in many different things in order to feel “good”.   As children, we came into the world feeling great about ourselves, but life systematically beats that out of us, unless that feeling is cultivated throughout our growing years. 

How can we reclaim that sense of self, as adults, amidst all of the chaos of living?  I believe this to be possible by doing some self reflection about ourselves, to determine what brings us our joy.   Within each of us are latent abilities to be developed.  There is also a knowingness within that guides us into right decisions if we can learn to listen and follow.  Some people recognize this as God speaking in the still, small voice.  Others believe in a universal wisdom that orders all things.  Still others, believe that there is only their subconscious that guides them.  But, irregardless of the belief system, there is an answer to our outer stress,and it lies within.   Turning over our problems to this higher wisdom is the key to coping.   Following our own personal dreams will not only bring us a sense of satisfaction with life, but for many has also brought financial freedom.  Doing what you love and getting paid for it may not be all that far-fetched!   Just think of Grandma Moses, who discovered she could paint in her late seventies,  J. K. Rowling ( Harry Potter author) who turned a hopeless life situation into incredible success, and Bill Gates (Microsoft) who followed his inner calling to unimaginable wealth.  These people and others in their position, have one thing in common.  They have taken their inner urge and developed it into success and happiness. 

Call this wisdom God, or whatever you choose.  Just know that it is there, and is the answer to your stress, your financial struggle, possibly some of your health issues, and your key to happiness with you.   It is in the still, small voice within where all that we seek without may be found!