: By Marie T. Russell, InnerSelf.com

Believe in Yourself: Why Trusting Your Inner Guidance Changes Everything

by Marie T. Russell, InnerSelf.com

We’ve all been there. We have a great idea, plan, or vision and get all excited about the possibilities it brings. And then the voice of doubt steps in: “Who do you think you are?” “You can’t accomplish that.” “That’s way too much for you to handle.” Suddenly, we waver. We start to doubt ourselves and our capabilities. We question our sanity and even our vision.

If I can give you only one piece of advice—especially at the beginning of this new year—it is this: believe in yourself. Believe in your inner guidance, in your inner promptings, in your inner desires for creating a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life for yourself—and, in turn, for the people around you.

Whatever we create for ourselves in our life reverberates outward, touching the people around us and even the world as a whole. Just like the theory that a butterfly flapping its wings in one part of the world can create a storm in a completely different part of the planet, we too, as we flap our wings and reclaim our power to live a life of joy and authenticity, create changes we cannot always predict or even see.

That’s why it’s so essential that each one of us be true to ourSelf, live our truth, and follow our inner compass—even though we don’t know exactly where it’s going to lead. We don’t know what we are the first step for, what the next step will be, or how the journey will ultimately unfold.

Your Piece Matters

If you’re familiar with my writings, you know that I often use the analogy of a puzzle. We are all pieces in the puzzle of life, and if we withhold our piece—if we don’t participate, if we don’t live our truth—we leave a gaping hole in the puzzle.

But it’s even more than that. Not only do we leave a hole, but all the pieces meant to connect to ours, to build upon it and continue the movement forward, are left without part of their foundation.

We’ve been taught to follow a straight line, to do as we’re told, and often to ignore our inner guidance, our inner joy, and our inner truth in favor of what is expected of us. Yet we need to believe in our uniqueness—to trust those promptings of the heart that guide us to the next step, and the next, and the next.

This is where personal belief becomes collective responsibility and we become a team player.

We are at a point in our own lives, and in the life and future of humanity, where each one of us needs to play our role. And we need to play it joyfully, with zest and enthusiasm.

Are We Being Selfish?

Choosing to follow our joy and be true to ourselves is not selfish. It is a necessary step in the greater puzzle of life. Each piece is important. Each piece is essential for the completion of the whole. And each piece has to be "true to itself," not distorted by others' beliefs, expectations, or judgments.

Some may think that joy is something that happens to us, that other people bring into our lives. But true joy rises from within. It comes from the deep satisfaction of listening to our heart, from a path taken and an inner guidance followed. This kind of joy often requires courage. It is not about comfort or convenience. It is about authenticity.

It’s time to let go of the insecurities we have accepted, the doubts we have entertained, and the fears that have blocked our way. It’s time to believe in ourselves, to believe in our light, and to believe in our love—for ourselves and for humanity.

When we shed light on our doubts and fears, we begin to see them for what they truly are: hurdles to overcome, and challenges to meet and surpass. Sometimes those challenges are people. Sometimes they are circumstances. But more often than not, they are our own fears and doubts about our abilities and our inner desires.

When We Don’t Show Up

We are all part of life on planet Earth. And just as a butterfly flapping its wings in one place can affect the weather in another, our choices and actions matter far beyond what we can see.

A missing puzzle piece is much like an actor missing from a play. You go to the theatre, and one of the main characters is missing. Suddenly, the other actors don’t know what to say or do. Someone who was meant to be there, playing a vital role, is absent. Everything is thrown off balance. The play is no longer whole.

That’s why we must play our part. Is it a big task? Definitely. Can it be done? Yes.

Anything we can imagine, envision, or dream up can become reality. Many things once described in books and movies seemed fantastical at the time, yet have since come to pass.

So if you can dream it, if you can envision it, and most importantly, if you can believe in it, it can and will come to pass—as long as you don’t give up before you get there.

Trust What Feels Right

We must hold on to our visions of a better world, a better society, and a better way of living and being. Now is the time to be true to ourselves—and, as a result, be true to everyone else.

I discovered years ago that being true to what I needed, to what felt deeply right for me—even when it seemed to contradict what someone else thought they wanted or needed—ended up being the best outcome for both of us. Yet so often, we sacrifice our truth to please others, based on what we assume their needs might be.

Yet, we cannot know what is best for someone else. However, we can be certain of what is best for us. Why? Because we feel it. It either brings peace or it doesn’t. What feels right is not always what feels easy, but it brings clarity rather than regret.

I remember facing a decision some time ago. I kept wavering between two choices. And by the end of the day, I had made up my mind. But when I woke up the next morning, I felt listless and somewhat depressed—not my usual cheerful self.

As I reflected on that feeling, I realized the decision I had made the night before was the source of my unease. It brought resignation rather than joy. I knew immediately that I needed to revise—and ultimately reverse—that decision. As soon as I chose the option that brought peace and inner joy, the gray cloud lifted, and I felt light and energized once again.

That experience taught me how clearly our inner being signals truth—often before the mind is willing to recognize it and listen.

When we choose what feels right, what brings quiet joy, we are living according to the highest good. And when we live our truth in that way, it will also serve the highest good of the other person or people involved.

We may not understand how that works for them, and we are not meant to. Their life is theirs. We are not in charge of it. But we are in charge of our own. And when we honor our inner guidance, life has a way of bringing balance to all involved.

It may not be immediately obvious, but it often becomes clear in hindsight—sometimes months or even years later.

Choosing Again, Moment by Moment

So believe in yourself. Believe in your truth. Believe in what you feel guided to say, to be, and to do.

At the beginning of this new year—just as at the beginning of each new day and each new moment—we are faced with a choice. Will we take actions that support our inner truth and inner guidance? Will we choose what brings us genuine joy? It is time to say yes.

It is time to honor who we are and who we may have kept hidden within ourselves. Perhaps we didn’t even realize that a confident, inspired being was waiting inside us. And if you haven’t found that part of yourself yet, it’s time to take out your inner flashlight and begin the discovery.

We are all children of the Universe, children of the light, here to make a difference, here to create lives of love and meaning—here to help bring heaven to Earth. Individually and collectively, we can do this.

Believe in yourself and step forward. Make a difference in your own life, and that difference will ripple outward to others. Believe in your talents. Believe in what you feel inspired to do and say.

As Wayne Dyer said, you’ll see it when you believe it. That truth applies just as well to what we consider “negative” outcomes. How often have we said, “I knew that would happen”? We believed it—and then we saw it. That’s why it is so important to choose our thoughts and beliefs with care.

The first step in creating any new joyful reality or fulfilling a vision is believing that it’s possible. The next step is believing that you—and your unique puzzle piece—are essential to making it real.

We must believe it is not only possible, but probable. And more than that, we must believe it is meant to be.

Remember: you’ll see it when you believe it.

Recommended Books:

* Passion Struck — John R. Miles

A transformative guide structured around twelve powerful principles to help you unlock your purpose, overcome self-doubt, and ignite a life of intention and confidence. Readers are guided step-by-step through mindset shifts and practical actions that align with inner guidance and authentic living.

Order on Amazon (and support InnerSelf at the same time)

* The First Rule of Mastery — Michael Gervais

High-performance psychologist Michael Gervais offers a compelling framework for overcoming the fear of other people’s opinions (FOPO) and stepping into greater authenticity. Packed with stories, science, and psychological insight, this book helps you trust yourself more deeply and expand your courage and conviction.

Order on Amazon (and support InnerSelf at the same time)

* You'll See It When You Believe It — Wayne W. Dyer

A timeless classic on the power of belief and transformation. Dr. Wayne Dyer shows how your thoughts and beliefs shape your reality, how to turn obstacles into opportunities, and how to develop inner confidence and clarity. This inspiring guide helps readers align their intentions with meaningful action and manifest their deepest aspirations by trusting what they truly believe.

Order on Amazon (and support InnerSelf at the same time)

About The Author

Marie T. Russell is the founder of InnerSelf Magazine (founded 1985). She also produced and hosted a weekly South Florida radio broadcast, Inner Power, from 1992-1995 which focused on themes such as self-esteem, personal growth, and well-being. Her articles focus on transformation and reconnecting with our own inner source of joy and creativity.

Creative Commons 3.0: This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License. Attribute the author: Marie T. Russell, InnerSelf.com. Link back to the article: This article originally appeared on InnerSelf.com

Article Recap:

Believing in yourself begins with trusting your inner guidance and honoring what feels true and right for you. When you follow your joy with courage and authenticity, your choices create a ripple effect that supports both your own well-being and the greater good.

#believeinyourself #innerguidance #trustyourself
#personalgrowth #spiritualgrowth #innertruth
#selfempowerment #followyourjoy

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