“Intuition is the voice of our soul,” says intuitive Scotti Putnam Holloway. Scotti is the founder of SP Divine Explorations. She has studied with incredible teachers including bestselling authors, Sonia Choquette and Doreen Virtue, and she travels worldwide to do readings and teach about intuition. I’ve watched her trust her intuition to grow her business and to use it as a way to be of service to others. In the following interview she helps us understand what intuition is and ways to allow it to guide us especially during challenging times.  

 Q: How would you define intuition?

Scotti: I define Intuition as that ancient old wisdom or “knowing” that we are all born with and as we learn to listen,develop and act upon the messages from this beautiful higher power, we rediscover that which we have always known. Simply put, Intuition is the voice of our soul.

 Q: What are some of the best ways to develop intuition and to learn to trust it?

Scotti: There are four separate steps that I talk about in my classes that help one tap into and develop their intuition. The first is to simply be open to being intuitive. Many of us block this gift from our everyday life fearing judgement from others. The second is to expect to hear this knowledge as we ask Divine Spirit for information.The next is to trust the information that you receiving when it comes to you in it’s many forms of arrival. And the last would be to Act on the information that you have been given. The more that we respond to this information from our higher self, the more information that we will receive.

Q: What have been some of the ways that your intuition has guided you?

Scotti: My intuition truly guides every moment of my daily life very much like having my own personal GPS system. By listening to and being in tune to the subtle messages  from Divine Spirit, I have made healthy decisions in different areas of my life  including finding the new building for my business, creating and surrounding myself with a community of happy,healthy like minded soul family, and have most recently found a beautiful house in a wonderful neighborhood that I have long admired. Yes, this sacred guidance system has never led me astray.

Q: A lot of people seem to be experiencing tough times especially with finances, jobs and the economic challenges. How can intuition help guide the way through this?

Scotti: It does seem that the fear base of the collective whole is at an all-time high which leads to a tough time in staying grounded and centered and truly listening to our intuition. It is important during these times to check in daily with yourself and tune into how you are feeling. What areas in your body are perhaps a little “off”? When trying to get through the tougher times in life and especially when faced with a difficult decision, simply stand still for a moment, take a deep breath in and and ask yourself out loud whatever you are looking for an answer about. If the feeling that you receive after asking the question feels exciting or expansive, then you should proceed forward. Likewise, if the feeling that you feel after asking the question feels constricted or fearful, then it may not be the right move for you to make in that moment. For me personally, I think that the best way a person can stay in- tune with their higher self, is through the ritual of daily spiritual practice. This should be a part of your morning routine just as combing your hair or brushing your teeth are. Keeping in mind that everyone’s definition of daily spiritual practice vary’s greatly. For me it is a simple, “Thank you,Thank you, Thank you” before my feet hit the ground, followed by a beautiful prayer from A Course in Miracles that states “Where would you have me go? What would you have me do? What would you have me say? and to whom?” Giving myself to the service of others and truly expecting great things to happen during the course of my day. Finally, I do a morning and an evening meditation. Please remember that It’s not so much about  what you do to connect with your higher self, it’s just important that you take the time to make the connection.

Bio: Debra Moffitt is the award winning author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life and “Garden of Bliss”. A visionary, dreamer and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices, writing and creativity in the U.S. and Europe. More at http://www.awakeintheworld.com and on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/DebraMoffittAwakeintheWorld