Many of the topics and articles posted on Don’tASQ are somewhat controversial. Maybe you think that only new-age nutcases believe in the power of intuition. Maybe you think the “sit down, shut up, and take notes” system of education is highly effective. Or maybe you feel that the world is fine just the way it is — why should we bother changing it?

One thing I love about gratitude is that we can feel it and express it regardless of our stances or beliefs on any other issue. Gratitude crosses all boundaries and permeates all barriers between religions, cultures, and political parties. We don’t have to make a certain salary or belong to a certain group in order to show our appreciation for the people/things/ideas in our lives. In fact, we don’t even need the ability to speak — all that’s required is a pinch of humility.

I write these words not in an attempt to get you to list everything for which you’re thankful (that’s been overdone to the extreme), but simply to ask that we all become thankful. I ask that we live humbly and take absolutely nothing for granted. I ask that we loosen the grip on our own egos by a mere smidgen. I ask that we focus on what we have that others don’t rather than what we wish we could “one-up.” Heaven knows that if every person in the world even attempted to adopt this mindset, we’d all be much better off.

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting started right now. Happy Thanksgiving.

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Intuition is, by definition, a knowledge that doesn’t appear to have been picked up by any of the five senses or derived from any previously known knowledge. Some people will refer to intuition as a gut feeling or hunch. People who are more science-oriented might call it a flash of insight from the subconscious mind. Spiritual types may describe it as spiritual guidance or a sign from God.

Personally, I try not to jump to any conclusions about intuition — I don’t know what it is or where it comes from, nor do I claim to know. I accept it as a real phenomenon because of my personal experiences with it, and I listen to it because it usually proves to be smarter than I am. For one example of my experiences with intuition, read about the grocery trip.

I can’t prove that intuition is useful, meaningful, nor that it even exists. All I can prove is that, more often than not, listening to my intuition has coincided with a positive outcome. And in the end, that’s all that matters.

Moral of the Story: Even the most mundane things in life (such as grocery shopping) can yield brand new insights.

On my way to Whole Foods tonight, I stopped for gas, which caused me to get a bit turned around. Rather than taking main roads as per usual, I found myself driving through a dark residential area. I’ve been to the Whole Foods area of town dozens of times, so I knew in which general direction I wanted to go — but the curvy roads weren’t taking me there! Soon enough, I realized that my internal compass had given up (and, to top it off, I couldn’t see any street signs). Fortunately, a little voice spoke up…

Voice in my Head: Don’t worry, you’ll get there. Trust me.
Me: Okay, fine, but the lack of street signs is a little disturbing. Which way?

A left turn here, a right turn there, another right…

Me: What *@$# street is this!?
Voice: Simmer down and make a right.
Me: But- Oh. *sheepishly* I know exactly where I am now.
Voice: Told ya!

Insight #1: Not only is the intuition very intelligent, but it also has its own personality.

(Sidenote: Some of you may balk at my use of the word “intuition.” If so, don’t — there are plenty of suitable substitutes. I’ll be writing an article specifically about intuition very shortly.)

I actually went shopping at both Whole Foods and Schnucks (a more standard grocer), since each has certain things that I can’t or prefer not to buy at the other store. Whole Foods is almost always a crowded store with very narrow aisles compared to those at Schnucks; yet almost every person I saw was very polite about the “traffic jams.” Up front, the cashier smiled at me and started a brief conversation. She even asked whether I would like paper or plastic (I, of course, chose paper ).

The cashier at Schnucks, though polite, just didn’t seem as happy to be working tonight (not to mention that she was somewhat overweight, while the woman at Whole Foods appeared healthier in general). As I said “Thank You” and heard her mutter something resembling “Uh-huh,” the customer who’d been in front of me in line started to argue with her about getting one dollar off of an item that may or may not have been on sale. I didn’t stick around to see how that ended!

Granted, this is only one shopping trip, and the perceived differences between grocers could be explained in many ways, but my (admittedly very generalized) impression stands.

Insight #2: Hippies are happier.