The Only GPS You Need

Many of you may not be old enough to remember the first GPS systems that became available for our cars.

There was no Internet or satellite connection. Cellphones were just becoming available, and nothing like the mobile devices we have today. GPS back then was basically a screenshot of the map, like the paper one we kept in our glove compartments… which were originally for driving gloves, but that’s another blog.

Or not.

Updates would come out on disks through the mail, delivered by the post office, that we would insert into the device to add the updates.

Ancient history now.

Today, my car links to my phone, displays the map on the screen, and then gives me verbal directions. Ms. Google even alerts me about accidents ahead, offers a re-route on longer trips, and lets me know about police hidden in the bushes.

Very cool.

I already know how to get around town, but “just in case,” I’ve gotten in the habit of plugging in my destination, because it’s easier than arriving late when the map program knows what’s going on in real time and can give me options.

Internal GPS

Each of us has a GPS of sorts in our brain. We automatically update it through the day with the experiences we observe or participate in as we move around the planet. We call it our intuition.

It shows up in that sinking feeling we get the first time we meet a new colleague. Something’s off, just not right. But we dismiss our initial feelings as silly. Later, we may regret it, but we seldom realize that sinking feeling was a red-flag warning.

Another way it shows up is in the palpitations we feel when we're attracted to someone new. Our heart rate increases; we may even perspire; we blush, often uncontrollably. The feelings might be mutual. But… we can easily focus on our faults, dismiss the interest we’re being shown as some kind of hidden agenda, and miss an opportunity for a new friendship, or much more.

Why don’t we listen to our physical, emotional, and spiritual intuition?

There’s no brass band.

Not a fireworks display in sight.

And the church bells haven’t run like it’s New Year’s Eve.

So, why do we listen attentively and follow an app's advice, but ignore our own inner GPS? Do we argue with Alexia about directions or ignore a notification of an accident ahead?

Okay.

I have traveled with someone who decides he knows where he’s going even though he uses a GPS. Then he screams at the GPS about why it wants to go that way, decides he knows better, and only finds out soon after he should have listened.

Most people I encounter don’t trust their own intuition, what Emma Curtis Hopkins called the “still small voice.” When I first heard that, the facilitator explained to us that Source doesn’t need a brass band.

It’s quiet, yet able to guide and direct us. Call it intuition, Source, divine guidance, or God. It’s real. But here’s the kicker: We’re not trained to know the answers before the question, even though most of us do.

Some of us trust our intuition every day. But that’s because we’ve spent much of our lives observing, instead of spouting knowledge that is usually just parroting what “they” say.

Going Forward

Be willing to ask your inner self the question before posting it on social media. With all the AI-generated propaganda designed to make us fear our neighbors or buy yet another “thing,” we need to listen to that voice within more than ever.

The average opinion of the masses is not necessarily the course we should follow. Just because someone says they have the answers doesn't mean they have any better access to our issues, or that they are supported by an organization that doesn’t have our best interests at heart.

If you’re unfamiliar with this process, start out slowly. Don’t decide out of the blue to quit your job, move across the country, or leave your mate.

When something pops into your brain without conscious thought—like turning left instead of right, or finding meaning in a sign on the road or a meme—act on it if it isn’t life-threatening or likely to cause you or someone else immediate harm.

See what happens.

You surprise yourself.

I hope you’ll join me for my next blog post on my Substack account and website. If you find this article helpful, please share it with others as we continue to build community in cyberspace.

Till then, please know that I value the time it took to listen to this recording or read the article. You could have used the past few minutes in many other ways. I am honored that you chose to spend them with me. Be well always and keep in touch!

To learn more about my work and background, please check out my LinkTree profile: linktr.ee/terrydrewkaranen

You may also email me through my website or directly at terry@terrydrewkaranen.com

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