Some years ago, I read an excellent book called "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell. The main premise of the book is that the information we receive in the first two seconds of an experience - in the 'blink' of an eye - is often more accurate than information gleaned from research. He offers many interesting stories that show the power of our first impressions.

What do you generally do with your first impressions?

• Do you notice them or not?
• Do you generally discount them, instead going into your logical mind and trying to figure out what is 'right?'
• Do you discount them and listen to others instead?
• Do you try to get others to validate them before giving them credence?
• Do you judge yourself as being wrong or reactive?
• Do you tell yourself that if you follow your own instincts and you are wrong, you will look like a fool?
• Do you tell yourself that you can't possibly know something so quickly?

While Gladwell doesn't attribute the powerful information we receive in a 'blink' to our spiritual guidance, I believe this is where it comes from. Often, in those first two seconds of meeting a person or being in a situation, our programmed left-brain mind is offline, and our right brain, which has access to spirit, is open.

In those two seconds we can receive volumes of information directly from our source.

Since most of us grew up being taught to discount our direct knowing, and to honor what we learn from others, books, and the media, we often discount those crucial first impressions. There is a story about Edison regarding what he did when he got stuck in the process of inventing the light bulb. He would often sit in a chair with his arm in the air and ask a question. Then he would fall asleep. As his arm dropped, it would wake him up and he would have the answer to his question - in his first two seconds of consciousness.

Doing this allowed Edison to tap into his source of knowing, so he could access information that his conscious mind did not have access to.

If you look back at some of the decisions you have made that didn't turn out well, did you override your first impression?

Chloe, a client of mine, was struggling with her relationship with her husband, William. She couldn't find a way to feel connected with him.

"Chloe, when you met William for the first time, what was your first impression?"

"I was repulsed by him."

"What made you continue to see him?"

"I told myself I was being judgmental and should give him a chance. He seemed like a nice person, and he REALLY wanted to see me again. Somehow, I got hooked into being with him because he seemed to need me so much. The problem is that I still feel repulsed by him. Now we have two children, and it is not easy to leave. I wish I had listened to my first impression."

People tell me over and over how listening to their first impression prevented them from making huge mistakes and from harm - even saving them or someone else from getting murdered.

You ARE being watched over by your guidance and when you learn to trust yourself - your feelings, your instinct, your first impression - you will feel and be so much safer.

If you doubt your first impressions, you might want to read "Blink." The studies will convince you of the validity of your inner knowing.

Learn to connect with your spiritual guidance with Unlocking Your Inner Wisdom, A 30-Day at-home Experience with Dr. Margaret Paul.