Have you ever heard the above expression? On the surface, it seems like such a simple phrase, but what does it really mean?
First let me share with you some of my journey through the spiritual realms and what I have learned so far. I have been a new age/spiritual addict ever since I first read THE CELESTINE PROPHECY by James Redfield in 1996. Nurturing and feeding my soul, it prompted me to learn meditation and various forms of energy healing, including becoming a Reiki Master. . I read books by world famous spiritual authors like Neale Donald Walsh, Carolyn Myss, Deepak Chopra, Kryon, Eckhart Tolle, Gary Zukov, Paulo Coelho and others. I took courses in the art of channeling positive energy and attended various spiritual workshops. I studied Buddhism, Angel cards, Sacred Path Cards, numerology and the Divine Triangle.
After only a few years, I thought I had solved all my “problems” and felt like an enlightened being capable of helping others find their way in life. Stupid of me!
Then something happened that redirected my course, at least temporarily. In a very unexpected place, I met my soul mate, that other part of me that I knew existed but didn’t know where or when we would meet. If you’ve ever held hands with your soul mate, you’ll understand what it’s like to feel so connected that you can’t tell the difference where one hand touches the other because they feel like one. Or when you look into their eyes and are mesmerized by the energy that flows between them.
Our love grew to such a depth that I was surprised that it was possible for it to continue to expand with each passing day. My heart was overflowing with joy and I was happier than my wildest fantasies. However, over time, my longing to live in service to a higher calling began to fade. After all, what could be more glorious than knowing true love? It’s an expression of God’s love, right?
Absolutely… but I think the universe decided I was getting too complacent about my happiness, or maybe it was just time to get back on my ocean liner and sail the seas of my spiritual journey. In any case, it started to put some obstacles in my way in other areas of my life. I struggled for months with the changes that were forced upon me. I found myself crying the whole time, falling into a deep depression riddled with anxiety, worry, and fear.
My life began to feel incomplete. I had let my life’s purpose fade into the corners of my mind, existing only as a distant memory. Until one beautiful hot summer’s day when he somehow managed to maneuver his way out of the shadows and look me square in the eye. Where have I been? Who have I become? This is not me, I realized. I look for the higher meaning in everything that happens, I stopped being the victim a long time ago, but here I was, blaming others for my current circumstances.
At that moment, I turned the Light back on and made the decision to realign with the universe. The manuscript she had been struggling with suddenly started spilling out page after page. I reconnected with my passion for writing, and instead of making excuses, I sought out every free moment I could find. Working full time wouldn’t stop me from doing what I loved. I woke up at five in the morning every morning, meditated and worked out. My lunch hours were devoted to writing, as were my afternoon hours. I did whatever it took to speak my truth and share my imagination through the written word in creating my first full-length novel.
Writing forced me to work on issues like dignity that I had set aside for too long and provided me with opportunities for necessary healing to occur. In the process I came back to life and felt my guiding Light stronger than ever.
Life is a journey, everyone has heard that before. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new. We have to walk the walk, do the work and listen, really listen to our heart’s call because our mind likes to keep us trapped in a familiar environment where you feel safe and comfortable. It will play tricks on our thoughts in an effort to sabotage us. It will tell us that we are not good enough, attractive enough, rich enough, or that the time is not right, anything that brings you down and prevents you from achieving your dreams.
Take a look at what your outside world looks like. Is your road full of a stony path that makes you lose your balance and fall? Or is it lined with smooth, evenly spaced steps that allow you to move gracefully throughout your walk?
If you’re still struggling, if things just aren’t going the way you think they should, stop and take some time to quietly contemplate and figure out what’s holding you back. Listen to the inner voice and allow your higher consciousness to reveal the areas in your life that need special attention. Observe what happens internally and you will learn why your external world is not to your liking.
Ask yourself what your relationship is like with money and with other people in your life, including partners, family, friends, co-workers, and bosses. Look for clues in all areas because ‘how you do something is how you do everything’. In other words, if you do something halfway and think it’s not important, guess what? That same attitude will show up in everything else and your life will never feel fulfilled.
Write your feelings in a journal; explore your anger, sadness, betrayal, longing and jealousy. Release these emotions through the spoken word as well with a close confidant or even yourself. Scream, scream and curse. Do whatever it takes to get it out of your system. Feel it leave your body with the knowledge that you are taking responsibility for your own healing, and congratulate yourself on your tremendous efforts.
You will probably resist doing this exercise because exploring the unknown is scary. But trust me, knowing yourself on deeper levels and discovering the gem in your soul is worth more than the initial discomfort.
Take a leap of faith and act despite your fear. Open your arms to the universe and say ‘Forward! Accept every experience that comes your way with gusto, but treat yourself gently, especially when you screw up. Our deepest lessons happen from making mistakes. Be nice, own up to the mistake, and promise to do better next time, then move on without beating yourself up.
May you soar above cloudy skies, sail through stormy seas, and discover your pot of gold waiting at the end of your rainbow. Every time you find the tiniest of nuggets, tell yourself, “I’m awesome!” because you are.