A story about trusting your own instincts.
Shirley’s favorite time was when she could graze freely. But today, she grazed too far and lost the herd. Now, she had to figure out how to find them again…
Having a family the size of Antonio’s herd was always heartwarming for Shirley. She had tens of siblings, cousins, friends, and neighbors. Each day with them was special.
“Okay, lovelies, you know the drill:” said Antonio in his usual instruction to them at grazing time. “Don’t go too far right or left, keep the mountains in front of you, and you’ll be fine.” And with that, he left them to graze.
Shirley and her best friend, Merlene, started to play. They twirled round and round, laughing and having a grand time.
Before long, they found themselves near a brook that they had never seen before. They had been so caught up in playing together that they moved completely away from the rest of the herd.
“Oh dear, Shirley, I have no idea where we are!” exclaimed Merlene. “I think we should go this way. No, that way. Wait…I’m pretty sure it should be this way. Oh no, we’re lost forever!”
Shirley stopped for a moment to take in their surroundings. She remembered Antonio’s words: “Not too far right or left, mountains in front.” She remembered that she and Merlene scampered off to the right, so facing the mountains she confidently said, “Let’s go this way.”
Even with Merlene’s constant yapping about going the wrong way, Shirley listened to her instincts and kept going until she saw the first sign of the herd. “Look, Merlene, there’s Antonio!”
They were reunited with their precious family, all because Shirley trusted her instincts.
Moral of the story: Allow your inner voice to be louder than outside noise when you have important decisions to make.
Shirley the Certain Sheep Self-Reflection
Like the rest of the sheep in the herd, Shirley went through her days under the instruction of Antonio. That usually worked for her to guarantee challenge-free days.
But on one particular day, life had different plans for her and her friend, Merlene. Their decision to sway from the norm resulted in them ending up in unfamiliar territory. They grazed so far that they lost the rest of the herd.
Their only aim in that situation was to return to the safety of the familiar and Shirley trusted her own instincts to make that happen.
She blocked the noise of Merlene’s worrisome ways and focused on what she knew to be true. With the mountains in front of her, she could always find her way back to Antonio and the herd.
There are likely times in your life when you are faced with tough decisions. Your choice is often between what your instincts are telling you and what an outside source is trying to convince you of.
What are you basing your choice on? Is it the intensity of the other person’s perspective? Or is it based on the facts that are driving your instinctive pull?
Once your gut instincts are based on well-thought-out, factual deliberations, go with what those instincts tell you. Choose to listen to your own voice.
Be certain in your self-belief and acknowledge the worth that your instincts carry. When you begin to trust yourself, your decisions will always support your best interests.
Trust yourself to know what is right for you.
Self-Reflection Questions:
- What causes me to have self-doubt?
- Which traits do I have that make for sound decision-making?
- How do I know when to ask others for assistance?