One of my favorite authors, Wayne Dyer, uses this metaphor, "Leaving the tribe," when referring to how we, as people, seek the approval of others in society. Yesterday, as I was on my way to go for a jog, I received a phone call that brought forth this issue.

For several months now, I have been doing research on a course I wish to take to extend my coaching skills. During this period I called several companies/schools and last week I had made my choice and signed up with one of them. When I signed up, it "just felt right".

Then last night I received a phone call from one of the schools I inquired about. When I mentioned to the lady that I had made a choice to do a program at the company I chose, I sensed in her voice the change of her being. She also questioned, "What do they know about the 'spiritual approach'?" to coaching - which is what I wanted to expand my knowledge in.

I felt my stomach turn, some uncertainty rising within me. I became aware of this experience and said to myself that this is merely the "opinion of others". Self-actualizing people do not allow the opinion of others to influence how they feel about a matter, and thus I thought, "You know, I made a choice I believe in and I feel great about that choice." By not being kept in the comfort zone of the opinion of others, I "left the tribe" and it is an amazing growth experience.

Perhaps we all can follow our intuition more often and release so many of our concerns about "what others think".