Inner guidance or inspiration comes to us a lot of the time when were not focused on the problem. We create a space in our mind by taking the focus of the problem and this allows the Broader You a space, to communicate to the little you through ideas and feelings.

Artists/ writers / musicians understand this very well. Usually, their creative ideas don't arrive when they want them to or when they are looking for them but usually when they least expect it - ie when they were not focused on it and allow the idea to come to them.

The best thing to do here is to create some space in your mind to allow the inner guidance to come to you. Most of us although we admit not knowing the answer are still very resistant to hearing other points of view. A part of us just won't budge. This is because the little you (your mind) is in the drivers seat and thinks it knows best. Don't get me wrong. The mind is a beautiful thing. It's just needs some guidance. On its own its a very limited perspective and cannot see the big picture.

It's sounds like you've exhausted all the options here and admit you don't know the answer. Why don't you give your mind a break. Get yourself in to a habit of making decisions by clearing your mind rather than filling it with more clutter.

Here is an exercise that's perfect for clearing some space in your mind. I use this short meditation frequently (most days once an hour): It's called One-Moment Meditation. Over time this short meditation deepens and you can take it anywhere with you. Please consider this short meditation as part of your daily routine. It only takes a minute and what have you got to lose? I'm not saying inner guidance will come to you while your in meditation but it will have more of a chance of finding you. It's fine if you reject this, it's just one more option for you. All I ask is for you is to consider who is doing the rejecting?

Thank you.

Lets look at the gaming first.

You can be addicted to gaming. It's a way to escape reality similar to drugs and alcohol.Treatment for video game addiction is similar to detox for other addictions, with one important difference. Computers have become an important part of everyday life, as well as many jobs, so compulsive gamers can't just look the other way when they see a PC.

"It's like a food addiction," Young explains. "You have to learn to live with food."

Because video game addicts can't avoid computers, they have to learn to use them responsibly. Bakker says that means no gaming. As for limiting game time to an hour a day, he compares that to "an alcoholic saying he's only going to drink beer." http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/video-game-addiction-no-fun

We know you are depressed (from your previous questions and comments).Your gaming might work as a help.Getting relief taking your mind off your situation and elevating your mood..a new high score ,leveling up rewards and such.
Then again, hours upon hours hiding away from your reality,( insert list of negative things you have stated on IQ )does not help.I am also a gamer as are a few IQ'ers are.One can be a gamer and not be addicted to gaming Just as one can drink beer and not be and alcoholic. It's when you decide its a problem is when you need reach out to help yourself.

When you talk about these Limitations(negative beliefs). Who put them there? Someone else then they don't need to be there.Don't let someone else decide who or what you are.(Unless they tell you how great you are!)
All change is done one step at a time. one minute at a time ,One day at a time.
Flowsurfer you a smart guy there is no denying that.
Just take the many small steps to change your life. Know your boundaries. Try for one hour to avoid thinking and saying negative things about yourself. and when you catch yourself , think the opposite Then do it for two hours and then three... next do one day....
There is a Positive flowsurfer.
Believe that!
peace

In the name of Allah, the most compassionate most merciful. Thank you for sharing your feelings , i know what you're going through is hard and you feel drained out. The truth is, why dont you cry your heart out for the creator, dont callon prophets or angels or priest, just call out to God at night all by yourself. Cry your heart out to Him,and tell Him everything, absolutely everything. I ask Allah to lift your pain, and every good heart and to fulfil our hearts and life by His guidance, dont give up, remember God in time of prosperity and hardships, remember those who are troubled and God will remember you when you're troubled. know that the darkest night promises a coming of a bright new day, Ameen.

Smile though your heart is aching

Smile even though it's breaking

When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by.

If you smile through your fear and sorrow,

Smile and maybe tomorrow

You'll see the sun come shinning through for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qsb-hUUVDtU

It takes a lot of energy to suppress our natural flow of energy and create such a state of depression, i wonder what you think about to put yourself in such a state - what is this inner conflict, like a whale and an octopus locked in combat? - a small smile takes a tiny effort and can work wonders.

you are undergoing a transformation that will bring about greater awakening. you are invited to explore your being in a more "playful" manner. investigate different subjects and methodologies. expand, explore, experiment, and experience.

These are the 12 steps as outlined in the book The Twelve Step Journal, by Claudette Wassil-Grimm, M.Ed..

1.We admitted we were powerless over our addiction/compulsion - that our lives had become unmanageable.

2.We came to believe that, like all human beings, our power was limited and we needed to learn to let go and learn from others.

3.We made a decision to let go of control, assume a spirit of goodwill, seek the wisdom of responsible others, and discover our true "voice within".

4.We made a searching and fearless inventory of our strengths and weaknesses.

5.We admitted to our journal, ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6.Were entirely ready to listen to wise counsel and seek that still small voice within to guide us to change our behaviors which have been harmful to ourselves and others.

7.Humbly began the process of deep change so we could overcome our weakness.

8.Made a list of all persons we have harmed, became willing to make amends to them all, and to forgive those against whom we have held grudges.

9.We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so whould injure them or others.

10.Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

11.Through meditation and journaling we continually seek to clarify and improve our own judgment and to consider the best direction and purpose our lives can take.

12.Having developed deeper wisdom and an appreciation of the spiritual as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts and to practice these principles in all our affairs. http://www.12step.org/steps/the-twelve-step-journal.html

surrender with passion, playfulness, perseverance, perception and purpose

T.H. White, in the Sword in the Stone, tells us the story of King Arthur as a boy..

The wizard Merlin, as Arthur's tutor, schooled the boy in wisdom by turning him into various creatures and had him live, for brief periods, as a falcon, an ant, a wild goose, a badger, a carp in the palace moat .... The time came when the new King of All England was to be chosen; it would be he who could draw the sword from the stone. All the famous knights, who came to the great tournament, went to the churchyard where the stone mysteriously stood, and tried mightily to yank out the sword that was imbedded in it. Heaving and sweating, they competed to prove their superior strength. No deal; tug and curse as they might, the sword did not budge. When the disgruntled knights departed to return to their jousting, Arthur, who was just a teenager then, lingered behind, went up to the stone to try his own luck. Grasping the sword's handle he pulled with all his strength, until he was exhausted and drenched. The sword remained immobile. Glancing around, he saw in the shrubbery surrounding the churchyard the forms of those with whom he had lived and learned. There they were: badger, falcon, ant and the others. As he greeted them with his eyes, he opened again to the powers he had perceived in each of them — the industry, the cunning, the quick boldness, the perseverance ... knowing they were with him, he turned back to the stone and, breathing easy, drew out the sword, as smooth as a knife from butter. source

Mary Stewart’s book The Hollow Hills: Merlin takes the young Arthur into a chapel where he finds a sword fused to a stone altar. Merlin’s key lesson to Arthur is “Don’t let your passions destroy your dreams, train your passions to serve your dreams.” .. Having learned this lesson, the young King Arthur can draw the sword from the stone. source

run for 9 seconds as fast as you can, then stretch hands and arms out wide and take 3 deep breaths fully in and fully out. This practice raises chi, frees the breath, opens the heart and releases muscle tension and body armor. I believe this series of exercises can help raise kundalini, open the 3rd eye and illuminate our soul purpose. And it can be done in less than a minute. My experience is it's easier and more effective early in the day and is a great quick starter first thing in the morning.

Raising primal energy to soul purpose is key to realizing our unique calling and purpose in the world. When enough of us (the hundredth monkey) experiences this then the fabled feathered serpent flies and the global kundalini will rise, this is the prophecy. This will be accomplished in the 2013 Year of the Snake. The planetary activation began during those numinous dates 21-23 Dec 2012 when the Sun aligned with our newly active galactic center. source

you are in state of self-judgement. what you judge you resist. what you resists persists. One of the meanings of the word "Islam" is surrender. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrender_(religion)

increased appreciation of one's connection with nature facilitates transformation.

From an Islamic standpoint, science, the study of nature, is considered to be linked to the concept of Tawhid (the Oneness of God), as are all other branches of knowledge. In Islam, nature is not seen as a separate entity, but rather as an integral part of Islam's holistic outlook on God, humanity, and the world. Unlike the other Abrahamic monotheistic religions, Judaism and Christianity, the Islamic view of science and nature is continuous with that of religion and God. source

also http://www.islamawareness.net/Nature/view.html

Dear flowsurfer

i agree what spring flower has said.keep in mind that a person has to bodies.one is called soul and other one is physical body.as we require food to servive and remain healthy physically,our soul also requires food to remain in peace.in this materialistic world we are running after one thing to other just for peace of mind.but nothing can provide lasting peace except remembrance of our Creator.beacuse soulf's food is the remembrance of Allah the Almighty. as great muslim spiritualist ALi once said" that needs of every body are met but wishes never". so actually your soul is craving for its food.thats why you feel empty and cannot find peace in any thing.

the key to lasting peace of mind and heart clearly stated in teh holy Quran as"Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest". so i will advise you to read Holy Quran and muslim sufiism so taht you can find real purpose of life and peace of mind.

Hi flowsurfer,

It's so nice to see all these loving and informative (!) answers. I will have to go back and read them for myself.

But, just to start on a more "basic" level. I saw that you said you drink Coke Zero. Recently, I discovered that the artificial sweetener, ASPARTAME, can cause severe mental health issues. It can also cause more serious physiological illnesses, like brain tumors/cancer, MS, etc., There is good video on Youtube (free) called "Sweet Poison". There are also numerous websites on the subject.

I used to drink so much diet coke. Lots and lots and lots. I didn't think it was a big deal, because hey, no calories right? I also take anti-depressants and ADD medication. However, I was noticing it didn't seem to help. Well, I spend alot of money on my medication because I don't have insurance. And, I am getting "tired" of adding on more pills because that's all the doctors will do. Prescribe this to supplement that.

So, I started thinking, maybe I need to start "taking away" things or essentially, detoxify my body.

Alot of unhealthy, processed foods can cause us to feel sluggish, depressed, etc., Luckily, I don't eat alot of that, but the artificial sweetener had to go!

So, consider cutting down on diet soda and eventually getting rid of it from your diet altogether. For me, I do feel less sluggish, less toxic. I do still drink coffee and crash from that, but hey, one step at a time.

Just remember, you're starting on the right path. Be patient with yourself, and you will soon find your spirit again. I did. I pray you will, too. :-)