Everything you need to learn, You already know

In moments of confusion and uncertainty, we often turn outward — seeking answers from books, “experts,” and others, chasing what feels just out of reach. But what if everything you’re searching for has been within you all along?  

The truth is, the wisdom we seek already resides within us. The problem is, we rarely slow down enough to listen. That’s not to say external information holds no value — it absolutely can. But without a solid understanding of ourselves, we risk becoming victims of the very guidance we pursue. Without an inner grounding, we lack the discernment needed to navigate the endless stream of external input. Instead, our minds may simply adapt to whatever information is most accessible — a dangerous pattern that leaves us vulnerable and disconnected from our own truth.  

This lack of discernment can be destructive, subtly leading us away from our authentic selves. When we rely solely on external voices without anchoring ourselves in self-awareness, we risk adopting beliefs, decisions, and lifestyles that don’t truly align with who we are.  

To break free from these destructive patterns, it requires us to truly sit with ourselves and get to know who we are at our core. This means facing the uncomfortable feelings of shame, guilt, and disgust that may arise within us. For example, imagine feeling shame after a past mistake, guilt after a harsh word spoken to a loved one, or disgust when looking at certain aspects of yourself you’ve tried to ignore. It’s about sitting with the emotions that bring pain, sadness, and anger — acknowledging them and allowing them to flow naturally. Think of times when you've been overwhelmed with anger or sadness; instead of distracting yourself or pushing those feelings away, you sit with them, feel them, and explore where they’re coming from. By observing how these feelings affect your body, behavior, and mood — how your chest tightens when you're anxious or how your energy shifts when you're angry — you begin to learn from them. Allowing yourself to fully feel everything helps us better understand who we are and teaches us how to navigate our inner world, ultimately creating wisdom from our own experiences.  

I remember a time when I felt lost, unsure of my next step. I asked those close to me for advice, hoping someone would give me the clarity I was missing. But no answer ever felt quite right. It wasn’t until I sat in silence—truly alone with myself—that I began to hear the quiet, yet certain, guidance from within. My body, my emotions, and my intuition had been speaking to me all along. I had just been too distracted to listen.  Over time, I’ve also realized that the advice people give often comes from their own experiences and mistakes. While this doesn’t seem harmful at first, it can be dangerous because you may not fully understand the origin of that advice. People often give advice as a result of their own regrets or past decisions they wish they could change. In a sense, they’re trying to “correct” their own mistakes by guiding you to make a different choice than they did — one they feel would have been the better path. While their intentions may be good, the advice is often infused with their own unresolved emotions, which can lead you to decisions that aren't aligned with your true purpose. It can be selfishly given, as they project their own desires or regrets onto your situation, and in doing so, they may unintentionally steer you off course. This was my experience. I began to feel like people were attempting to use my life as a second chance to make up for their mistakes, and it became clear that I had to look inward. I needed to trust my own wisdom, rather than being swayed by the well-meaning but potentially misguided advice of others.

Spending time alone isn’t about isolation; it’s about connection. When we sit in stillness, we become aware of the subtle messages our body sends us—tension that signals discomfort, excitement that reveals alignment, and gut feelings that guide us toward truth. Our body holds deep wisdom, but we must create space to hear it. This is where the real learning happens: in the moments of silence and self-reflection. In these quiet spaces, we learn to trust our own inner guidance.  

Another powerful way to connect with yourself is through self-talk. Society may label talking to yourself as “weird,” but in reality, it is one of the most healing and clarifying things you can do. Speaking your thoughts out loud helps process emotions, reframe negative beliefs, and affirm your own wisdom. When you talk to yourself with kindness and curiosity, you strengthen your connection to your inner voice. This practice complements the journey of sitting with ourselves and facing our emotions. It allows us to engage with what we’ve learned and act with a deeper sense of self-awareness.  

As I continue to connect with myself and go inward, I’ve found a deeper sense of confidence and security in my ability to seek guidance from within. This journey has also shifted my perspective on how I seek guidance from others. Instead of turning to others for direction, I now approach their opinions as an opportunity to hear their stories, understand their mistakes, and learn from how they think. It’s about absorbing what is shared, discerning the wisdom within, and observing what remains unspoken. By doing this, I connect with people on a deeper level, learning from their experiences while continuing to trust myself and depend on my inner voice.  

In my journey, I’ve learned that trusting myself is not just about relying on my own thoughts or emotions — it’s about recognizing the divine wisdom that resides within. There was a time when I felt a pull to make a significant life decision, but I couldn’t make sense of it. I turned to those around me, asking for their advice, hoping for clarity. But the more I heard, the more confused I became. It wasn’t until I took a step back, sat in silence, and prayed, that I realized something profound: the decision I needed to make wasn’t just about my logic or my feelings, but about aligning with God’s guidance. In those quiet moments, I felt a deep knowing that the divine presence was speaking through me, through my intuition, and through the subtle messages of my body.

—-The presence of God is not something you can see, but it is something you feel — much like how a blind man cannot see the sun, but can feel its warmth on his skin. —-

The warmth of God’s presence is felt through the guidance within us, through the pull of our heart, and through the stillness of our soul. By leaning into my own wisdom, I was, in essence, leaning into God’s presence within me. This realization changed the way I approach decision-making, as I now see my inner voice not just as my own, but as a reflection of the divine wisdom that’s always been there. Trusting myself, in this sense, has become a way of trusting the divine guidance God has placed within me.

As you reflect on this, I ask you: What would it feel like to trust yourself completely and seek guidance from within, knowing that everything you need to learn is already inside of you?