Burnout, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Overwhelm, Receiving, Relationships, Self-Care, Self-Fulfillment, Self-Love, Spirituality
Evolution is typically defined as “a change in the genetic composition of a population over successive generations.” When we hear “evolution”, we tend to think of the progressive change of a species adapting gradually over time in response to their shifting environment.
This article will address evolution from a spiritual perspective. For simplification, let’s say that evolution is a process of growth and change that usually produces a stronger, more advanced form that is better able to thrive in an existing environment.
The term “spiritual evolution” indicates that our mind and spirit evolves from a simple form, that’s dominated by nature and the physical world, to a higher form dominated by the Spiritual or Divine. In plain language, it’s the growth and transformation of your soul and the awakening of your higher Self. Therefore, understanding how to evolve can guide you on an unimaginable journey of self-discovery.
As you move through life, any number of circumstances can encourage your personal evolution. The choices you make in response to these occurrences are catalysts for the evolution of your Soul. These defining moments allow for transformational shifts in your journey and encourage growth and self-discovery, which are key to achieving success with greater fulfillment and joy.
4 Questions To Guide You Through Evolutionary Change
Where are you in your evolution?
The first step to realizing your full potential is to acknowledge that your journey has already begun. Recognizing where you are on your journey and where you desire to be helps you continue forward with greater confidence. Consider your past, your future, how far you’ve come, and the values you want to convey to the world. As you reach greater levels of awareness, you may discover you’re further along in your evolution than you thought or you might uncover new aspirations for growth.
How do you perceive your past choices?
As you reflect on your journey, you might feel regret about a moment in the past. If this occurs, it’s important to understand that dwelling on past mistakes can prevent forward movement. When you are able to look back and recognize these moments as learning experiences instead, you shift your narrative.
How do you respond to change?
Your response to challenges can significantly impact upon your evolutionary process. As you grow spiritually, you begin to shed your ego and embrace greater self-awareness. So when you are faced with unexpected external events, instead of reacting without thinking, you’ll be able to respond more consciously and with greater clarity. Learning to accept even the most difficult circumstances with greater ease creates the space for new opportunities and paths to show up.
What tools can help you have a positive evolutionary experience?
When a life event occurs, it may not seem clear at first how it will impact your growth. There are tools, or spiritual practices, that can provide the clarity and perspective to evolve with greater ease. Below are a few of these practices and how they work:
- Mindful movement: relaxes the body and calms the mind. Mindful movement is any activity that is done with intention and allows you to focus on your breath in order to create stillness in the mind.
- Journaling: evokes subconscious thoughts for greater mental clarity.
- Spoken affirmations: encourages greater confidence and ease during uncertain times.
- Gratitude: a reminder of how far you’ve come in life and the growth you’ve accomplished on your journey. Practicing gratitude daily to acknowledge all that you have can bring even more blessings into your life.
Spiritual evolution is a personal journey that might be prompted by an undesirable or unexpected circumstance. When you understand that any experience is a part of your evolutionary journey, you are better able to harness its positive aspects for a greater connection with your higher Self.
This year, let life’s changes inspire your journey of evolution.
Burnout, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Overwhelm, Receiving, Relationships, Self-Care, Self-Fulfillment, Self-Love, Spirituality
My previous article, How To Share Your Blessings With Your Community, responds to the question, “What can I do for the community?”. In it, I addressed how sharing your blessings with your community can evoke fulfillment, especially around the holidays.
However, community can also benefit you in other ways.
You may be wondering, “What do you mean by community connection and how can it serve me?”
A community is composed of like-minded individuals who share common interests and goals. Connecting with community can spark passion, align you with your purpose, and fuel your dreams.
Whether you’re feeling disconnected from your purpose… Or lacking the strength of passion that you once possessed… It could be that your journey requires the giving and receiving of support that can come from being in community with other high-achieving women.
Connecting with like-minded women can reactivate your passion, provide insight, and encourage you to realign with your life’s true purpose.
How community encourages passion and life purpose:
Elicits communication and truth
Communicating with others can give rise to unrecognized aspects of your true self. Expressing yourself with those who give you permission to be fully YOU allows for the discovery of deeper truths within, as well as greater insights into your journey.
Boosts confidence
It is not unusual for our thoughts to spin out into ‘what if’ narratives. This can lead to self-doubt and stuckness. Your affiliation with a community that cheers you on can boost your confidence to continue forward on your path.
Provides alternate perspectives and possibilities
Perhaps you’re at a crossroads in your journey. You’re not sure which direction to take. Or you’re questioning whether your current path will lead to the desired result. Access to community provides you with the opportunity to receive different perspectives and broader possibilities. This allows for shifts in your mindset that you might not have otherwise experienced.
Helps overcome unhealthy emotions
Feelings of fear, anger, or unworthiness can negatively impact your journey. However, when you’re connected with a group of women who share your interests and values, it’s easier to shake these unhealthy emotions. Community can encourage laughter, joy, and support that clears the way for aligned action.
Supports alignment with purpose
Your purpose or legacy isn’t always clear to see. And, getting to a place where you have more clarity can be a journey. With a community of like-minded women as your champions, you’re that much closer to aligning yourself with your greater purpose.
3 Ways to connect with community
Attend events
Connecting with others requires action on your part. You may need to step out of your comfort zone or adjust your normal routine to find a community that resonates with you. Consider taking classes that feed your interests or attending meet-ups and programs happening in neighboring areas. You can even join virtual communities that connect through online or in-person events.
Explore public spaces
Find public places that appeal to your interests. If you love being outdoors and have a passion for nature, move some of your activities to a nearby park. If you love business, move to a co-work space that could evoke associations with others who have similar goals. This might not be a formal community, however, a communal space can be a good place to start expanding your connections.
Schedule time
A big part of uniting with a community is making the time to connect. Perhaps you already have a network of like-minded friends who can serve as your community. Then, it’s merely a matter of scheduling get-togethers where you can share your thoughts, goals, and dreams. And don’t forget to ask how you can support each other moving forward.
If you’re uninspired, unmotivated, or lacking passion to move forward, community can provide the support you desire. Connecting with like-minded women can bring greater purpose and joy to your journey.
Embrace community and discover greater inspiration on your path of purpose.
Relationships, Self-Care, Self-Fulfillment, Uncategorized
Tis’ the season for social get-togethers, spoiling your loved ones — and yourself – while appreciating all the blessings in your life.
As you mark your calendar for special celebrations and plan your holiday errands, you might want to consider how you can share your blessings with your community.
Giving back to your community is a meaningful way to celebrate the holidays. When you share your blessings, not only do you help others, you feel good about yourself and encourage elevated morale in your community.
The holidays are a time when well-established traditions are honored and new traditions are formed. So, why not encourage a tradition of altruism within your community? When one person does good, it has a ripple effect that inspires others to do the same.
Helping others and encouraging your community to share their own blessings is a tradition you’ll want to continue. What better way is there to find such an incredible sense of fulfillment year after year?
3 Simple ways to give back to your community
Connect
Connecting could be as simple as a smile or friendly greeting to someone you pass by each day. It’s easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of your day-to-day life and not show your appreciation for others. Many people lack connection in their life, so it could mean the world to someone if you mindfully take a moment this holiday season to have a friendly exchange.
Volunteer
There is an abundance of organizations that rely on volunteer assistance. If this idea appeals to you, check with a charity that resonates with you and lend a helping hand. No matter how much time you choose to give, you’ll be making a difference.
Perform acts of kindness
No act of kindness is too small, and each one can inspire someone to “pay it forward”. This means that your act of kindness can encourage the recipient to perform a kind action for someone else. One act of kindness not only can bring joy to the receiver, it can also encourage the community.
What to consider before giving
Prioritize yourself
Before stepping out into your community to give back and spread holiday cheer, acknowledge your own needs. It’s common to feel exhaustion and burnout at the end of the year. Devote time for self-care and rest so that providing for others isn’t a burden. When you feel like your best self, sharing your energy with others comes with greater ease.
Choose something you enjoy
Do you love animals? You might choose to volunteer at a shelter or walk your busy neighbor’s pet. Do you have a love for humanity? You might want to make care packages for the homeless or donate to a food bank. Do you love nature? Consider hosting a clean-up or joining a movement that is dedicated to improving the environment. When you choose something that holds value for you, you’ll enjoy it even more.
Fill a void
Take into consideration the unique makeup of your community. Is there an area that could use some attention and care? Doing something that directly supports your city can have a greater impact on your community as a whole. Seeing and experiencing these changes first hand can also bring you a wonderful sense of fulfillment.
This year, adopt a new holiday tradition and share your blessings with your community. You’ll find that giving back evokes kindness and encourages others to do the same.
Happy Holidays!
Relationships, Self-Care, Self-Fulfillment, Self-Love, Uncategorized
What feelings arise when someone is inconsiderate of you?
Anger, frustration, resentment, hurt, unworthiness… It’s valid to feel these emotions, yet how do they impact your well-being?
Unhealthy emotions sap your energy, affecting your focus and drive. As a busy high-achieving woman, you can’t afford to let disagreements get the better of you. Yet you’re also human, so it may be difficult to ignore the pain that can accompany a seemingly unjustified action. You may repeatedly replay the situation in your mind, stirring up even more disturbing thoughts, which can result in emotional exhaustion.
So, how can you relinquish these energy-draining thoughts and emotions?
When someone’s actions hurt you, you only debilitate yourself further by holding on to pain and anger. Practicing forgiveness can help relieve recurring negative thoughts and unhealthy emotions. Forgiveness is a choice, a conscious and deliberate decision to release feelings of anger and resentment. To forgive doesn’t necessarily mean to forget, it means to accept and surrender the emotional charge experienced from the situation.
When you choose forgiveness, rather than holding on to the past, your mind stays open to the positive possibilities of what could happen in the future. By forgiving, you reclaim your power and effectiveness.
If you’re struggling to let go of unhealthy emotions triggered by another person’s actions, here are some ways to help you forgive others and reclaim your power.
3 Strategies for reclaiming your power when you feel hurt
Shift your perspective
When a person’s actions feel designed to deliberately offend you or just don’t make sense, it can help to put yourself in their shoes. Although their act presented itself as harmful to you, it may have been a difficult, but necessary, decision for them. When you are able to shift your perspective, it can make it easier to understand where the other person is coming from.
Look for the positive lesson
When you reflect on your feelings about another’s action, you may learn something about yourself that can be applied to future relationships. One of the best ways to learn in life is through experience. The learning may be around how you reacted or it may be an awareness of boundaries that you wish to set for yourself and your relationships. Whatever the case, by consciously looking for a positive lesson, you support your future self.
Trust the Divine
Divine timing means that when you’re connected and in alignment with the universe, things will happen at the moment destined. You may have heard the saying, “Everything happens for a reason”. This adage empowers acceptance that what can seem negative now may eventually lead to a positive outcome. In my previous article, The Art of Receiving: Spiritual Connection, I talk about how to strengthen your connection with the universe. By practicing spirituality and accepting the concept of universal intelligence, you expand your perception of divine timing. Then moments of frustration can appear less bothersome and you’ll be able to forgive more easily.
Don’t let another’s actions impact your focus and drive. Release any resentment and unhealthy emotions and reclaim your power. Practice forgiveness today for a more joyful tomorrow.
Uncategorized
Do you beat yourself up over your actions?
Are you living in the past because of regrets?
If so, you can set yourself free with forgiveness. Believe it or not, forgiveness is essential to your growth. And although you may be aware that it is healthy to forgive others, you may not recognize how crucial it is to forgive yourself.
As a high-achieving woman, there are many decisions you make – from career to family to personal priority and more. At times, you may find yourself wishing you could turn back the clock and do something differently. And when a choice comes with regret, it can be difficult to move forward.
Forgiving yourself sets you free from debilitating regret and allows you to focus on the here and now. You can learn from your decisions, no matter the outcome. And when you forgive yourself, your personal awareness and self-acceptance grow.
Learn to forgive yourself for
Momentary chaos
Stress can often cause unpredictable behavior. When you’re under pressure, it’s natural to react out of character and say or do something that you might regret later. This “stress response” or “flight-or-fight” can be triggered in a moment of chaos. Yet, how you react at that moment doesn’t define you. So, the next time you are reactive under pressure, apologize to yourself for the lapse and focus on developing greater awareness of your reactions in the future.
Indulging without fulfillment
Perhaps you have a bad day or you’re feeling restless, so you look for comfort in a box of cookies, a bottle of wine, or by venting your frustrations to a friend. Whatever the indulgence, it can often leave you feeling unfulfilled afterward. Forgive yourself for your lack of discipline and remind yourself that this doesn’t have to create a pattern of bad habits. Consider the different choices you could make the next time.
Allowing yourself to be vulnerable
When you allow yourself to trust someone, their response may not always be what you had hoped for. This can leave you feeling regret for being vulnerable in the first place. So, remember that vulnerability is how you learn who you can trust. Instead of blaming yourself for speaking your truth, forgive yourself and move forward with resilience.
Low personal productivity
At times, you may find yourself moving slower. You wonder where your motivation and energy went. You might even play a self-deprecating dialogue in your head, “I’m lazy” or “I’m not doing enough”. Yet, your body is most likely slowing down for a reason, so criticizing yourself for decreased productivity will only make you feel worse. Instead, if you notice repeated bouts of low energy, acknowledge this pattern without judgment. Perhaps there are changes you can make in your daily routine to unlock greater energy. Forgive yourself for not consistently being one hundred percent, set aside time for self-care, and get back on track.
Procrastinating on the pursuit of your dreams
Perhaps you are frustrated by a vision that you can’t seem to make time for or a dream that isn’t moving forward as fast as you desire. By dwelling on your procrastination or lack of forward movement, you expend a lot of energy. It actually takes less energy to forgive yourself. And since dreams don’t usually manifest in a day, allow yourself grace. If your vision is truly soul-driven, you can recommit to making it happen and take sustainable action.
Forgiveness enables you to move forward. As you learn to accept whatever you may consider to be personal failures, you receive valuable lessons that can heighten your consciousness. You discover greater self-awareness and self-acceptance through the practice of forgiveness.
When you choose to let go by practicing forgiveness, you move forward with greater love, compassion, and ease.
