Lapis Lazuli and Moonstone
Eco Sterling Silver 
 
Surrounded by self-help narratives, it can be easy to look to others for advice or believe that the solutions to our problems lie outside of ourselves. Yet most religious traditions in their purest form and many philosophical ones, tend to stress the importance of building a relationship with your own intuition.
 
‘Be a lamp unto yourself’ – Buddha
 
‘The kingdom of God is within you’ – Jesus
 
I think it’s important that we learn to trust our instincts. They can be difficult to excavate amongst all our cultural conditioning and the less helpful internal narratives that we acquire over a lifetime, but I feel that underneath it all there resides a wisdom that understands what is needed to make more fulfilling choices and in turn, live happier lives. 
 
I think our bodies give us a lot of clues. As we become more mindfully aware, we can start to notice how we physically feel in response to particular situations, people or places. A meditation practice can allow us to sit with these sensations and allow us to examine them free from judgement, without buying into our reactivity. But even without that, we can do as Joseph Campbell advised and ‘follow our bliss’. What is it that ignites a spark in your soul? What excites you? When do you feel free? What did you love as a child?
 
I feel like in our technological age it can be very easy to be in a constant state of distraction, one which leaves no space for such contemplation, but I think more than any motivational quote or friendly advice, for me it is time in silence that gives me clarity and shows me what course of action is needed.
 
‘I have been and still am a seeker, but I have ceased to question stars and books; I have begun to listen to the teaching my blood whispers to me.’ - Hermann Hesse