Keeping an Open Mind: The Key to Hearing Divine Guidance

I have learned that keeping an open mind is the most important step when listening for divine guidance. My Higher Power and Al-Anon have taught me that asking for guidance is one thing, but trusting it when it comes is another. The challenge is that divine wisdom does not always arrive in the way I expect. It comes in many forms—through thoughts, feelings, dreams, intuition, and even advice from others. Learning to recognize it has taken time, patience, and a willingness to let go of my own expectations.

The Challenge of Trusting Divine Guidance

When I first started seeking divine guidance, I often doubted the answers I received. I wasn’t sure if my own thoughts were trustworthy or if I was just making things up. Sometimes, I felt a strong pull in a certain direction, but I hesitated because I feared making the wrong choice. Other times, someone in my Al-Anon group would say something that felt important, but I questioned whether it was truly meant for me.

I have also struggled with letting go of what I wanted to hear. Many times, I would ask for guidance while already having a strong opinion about what I hoped the answer would be. When the answer I received didn’t align with my desires, I resisted it. My mind would argue against it, trying to find reasons why I shouldn’t trust it. But over time, I have come to understand that divine wisdom doesn’t always give me what I want—it gives me what I need.

Learning Through Trial and Error

Al-Anon taught me that the ability to recognize divine guidance comes with experience. It is a process of asking and receiving, testing and learning. At first, I made mistakes. I followed what I thought was guidance, only to realize later that it was just my own wishful thinking. Other times, I ignored a strong feeling in my heart, only to regret it later when I saw that it had been the right path all along.

Each time I got it wrong, I learned something valuable. I started to see patterns. I noticed that true divine guidance often brought a sense of peace, even when it was challenging. It didn’t always make logical sense right away, but it felt right in my soul. I also noticed that when I resisted guidance, I often felt uneasy, as if I were fighting against something bigger than myself.

Cultivating an Open Mind

One of the biggest lessons my Higher Power and Al-Anon have taught me is that an open mind is necessary to receive true guidance. If I am too attached to my own ideas, I will struggle to hear the wisdom being given to me. Keeping an open mind means acknowledging my desires but being willing to set them aside. It means creating space for whatever answer comes, even if it is not what I expected.

One practice that has helped me is writing down my thoughts and feelings after I ask for guidance. This helps me separate my own emotions from the wisdom I am receiving. Another practice is talking with my Al-Anon group or my sponsor. Sometimes, when I share my thoughts with others, I gain a new perspective that helps me see the guidance more clearly.

Trusting the Process

Today, I trust that my Higher Power is always guiding me. I don’t always get it right, but I am learning. I know that divine wisdom comes in many forms, and I am open to receiving it in whatever way it appears. By keeping an open mind, I am able to recognize guidance when it comes, even when it challenges me.

Al-Anon has given me the tools to grow in this process. My Higher Power has given me the strength to trust. And each experience has shown me that divine guidance is always present—I just have to be willing to listen.

I love you , God loves you please love yourself enough to let it go and move on be free.