Trusting the Impulse: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected

There are moments when life presents us with an invitation we didn’t expect—an impulse that calls to us, lighting us up and soothing us at the same time. That’s what happened to me one day when I was in Greece, and it reminded me so much of my practice in Authentic Movement.

I had just finished work and glanced at the clock. The sun was setting soon, and I felt a strong urge to go and watch it. The sunset has always been something that lights me up—there’s something about the soft hues and the quiet transition of day into night that both energizes and calms me.

But I only had a few minutes to get there. Still, the impulse was strong, so I trusted it. I asked my mother to come with me, but she didn’t want to rush. In that moment, I knew I had to follow this impulse alone. Without hesitation, I jumped in my car, parked in a spot I don’t normally go to, and arrived at the beach just in time.

It all happened so quickly. I didn’t think much, I just moved. And that’s what Authentic Movement is to me—moving from a place of trust and instinct, without the noise of overthinking or judgment.

As I sat by the beach, breathing in the moment, something unexpected happened. I was invited to paddleboard—a passion of mine that I hadn’t planned for that day. I didn’t have my swimsuit, but in that instant, it didn’t matter. I said yes. Wearing my dress, I got up on the board and found myself fully present, in the beauty of the moment, carried by the flow of the sea and the light of the setting sun.

It was a spontaneous moment of joy, one I wouldn’t have experienced if I had hesitated, doubted, or judged that initial impulse. By following it, I opened myself up to the unexpected, and it was beautiful.

In my Authentic Movement practice, we trust our impulses—those subtle inner urges that guide us. When we follow them without hesitation, without trying to control or rationalize them, we often find ourselves in moments of pure connection, both with ourselves and the world around us. These impulses are our body’s way of speaking, guiding us to places where we can experience something deeply authentic and real.

That evening reminded me of how much beauty there is in trusting the unknown. Sometimes, life offers us unexpected gifts when we step forward with openness and curiosity, rather than fear or judgment.

So, the next time you feel a pull that feels exciting—no matter how small or fleeting—pause and listen to it. Maybe it’s your body’s way of inviting you into a moment of magic, a chance to experience the world in a way you hadn’t planned for. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll find yourself on a paddleboard, in a dress, watching the sunset.

warmly,

maria