Listen to the Whispers

I should be editing my manuscript right now, but instead, I’m listening to the voice in my head.

This voice is telling me I need to go to Nashville. Ok, I know this sounds insane without any context. Back in December, I signed up for a year-long writing course with the company who is editing and publishing my memoir. Part of the course was originally supposed to be an in-person event in Nashville in mid-February.

I originally almost didn’t register for the course because I knew I would be unable to attend while taking care of Gary, my husband. In the end, I decided to join anyway. The little voice in the back of my mind urged me to do so, and I listened. 

In the end, the event in Nashville wound up being cancelled for a variety of reasons, however, my book coach told me I could still come to Nashville and we would work together in person on my new children’s book project. I appreciated the offer but had to decline. I still had many responsibilities at home to worry about after Gary's death, so I thanked her and never gave it another thought until yesterday.

Taking my boys (I guess they’re young adults now, not boys) on a trip has been a goal of mine.

There have been no family vacations for many years and I thought it would be a great experience, especially after all we’ve been through recently. Ben, my youngest, wasn’t really interested. The only time he could travel would be during his spring break and he wanted to come home to see his girlfriend. He was out.

Sam and I going alone on a week-long vacation seemed depressing. Half our family would be missing and that didn’t feel good. So I gave up. Now was not the right time. It would have been nice, but it wasn’t meant to be.

At least, this was the story I was telling myself.

Well, I ran into a woman yesterday and out of the blue she suggested that Sam and I visit Nashville. She had absolutely no idea that I had even been thinking about it. She went on to mention a few other locations but Nashville was the first. This got me thinking, maybe this was a sign and we were supposed to go to Nashville. 

However, that little voice in my head listed all the reasons why this was a bad idea so once again I told myself not to go. Meanwhile, the last few days I’ve been reading The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life's Perfection by Michael A. Singer. The book talks about not allowing your own preferences to rule your decision making. Instead, you need to pay attention to the signs that life is giving you.

It became apparent that life was giving me a sign and I must listen. 

I have no idea why Sam and I need to go to Nashville, but we’re going. I’m practicing silencing all the rational reasons my mind is arguing that this is not a good idea. Instead, I’m paying attention to that little voice because she knows best. 

I’m committed to no longer saying: “I can’t” because in life, absolutely anything is possible. We just need to listen to the whispers to help lead us to our destiny. Nashville, here we come!

Until next time,

Debbie