"Don't follow any advice, no matter how good, until you feel as deeply in your spirit as you think in your mind that the counsel is wise"

Joan Rivers’s words urge a union between intellect and intuition when it comes to accepting guidance. She recognizes that advice, even from those we trust or admire, is often filtered through their own experiences, values, and perspectives. Advice can sound impressive, logical, and persuasive, yet it may not align with one’s authentic needs or life circumstances. Rather than accepting suggestions solely because they appear wise or are endorsed by authority, Rivers suggests pausing and reflecting internally before acting. The mind readily weighs logic, benefits, or risks, but true conviction comes only when the spirit emotions, instincts, and personal truth is also engaged.

Often, individuals are quick to follow advice to please others, avoid conflict, or out of uncertainty in their own judgment. Rivers advocates for resisting this automatic compliance. She champions the act of listening inwardly, considering whether counsel resonates emotionally and spiritually, not just intellectually. There is a difference between being impressed by good reasoning and actually feeling that suggested action is right for oneself. When one’s spirit and mind are in agreement, decisions are rooted in self-awareness and integrity. Acting only when your spirit concurs guards against regret and ensures that the steps you take are truly yours.

Moreover, the advice reminds us to trust ourselves as much as we trust outside sources. Personal values, gut feelings, and inner wisdom are just as crucial as rational thought. Rivers implicitly acknowledges that wisdom is not universal what is wise for one may be unwise for another, depending on timing, personality, or goals. Deliberation that involves both mind and spirit yields choices that honor the whole person. Ultimately, allowing both heart and intellect to guide acceptance of advice produces a uniquely authentic path, tailored to one’s life and aspirations. Rivers’s message is an encouragement to develop discernment, not just as an intellectual skill but as a deep, personal practice.