Let’s get honest for a minute. We all have those “not-so-spiritual” moments where our ego takes the lead, and spirit takes a back seat.
We meditate, pray, go to yoga class, attend workshops, read books, keep a gratitude journal, burn incense, light candles, surround ourselves with crystals, and do all we can to stay in the energy of light and love … and then it happens.
A family member makes an innocent comment (or a not so innocent one); a coworker gets the promotion we feel should be ours; a reckless driver cuts us off on the highway, nearly causing an accident; or we get disappointing news about something important to us. In an instant, our ego takes over, our emotions run wild, and we do or say something that hurts someone else, or even ourselves.
Afterwards, we often feel disappointed, and wonder how we could let that person or situation get to us like that? After all, we are spiritual people who should know better, right? Maybe you’ve even had someone say to you, “I thought you were spiritual. You take all those classes, read those books, and this is how you act?”
Instead of beating ourselves up, we need to remember that part of our growth process is learning from our mistakes so we can become more aware and loving beings – and we can choose better the next time.
Bestselling author Paulo Coelho’s has a passage in his book, Warrior of the Light: A Manual
Excerpted from “Warrior of Light,” by Paulo Coelho:
“Every Warrior of the Light has felt afraid of going into battle.
Every Warrior of the Light has, at some time in the past, lied or betrayed someone.
Every Warrior of the Light has trodden a path that was not his.
Every Warrior of the Light has suffered for the most trivial of reasons.
Every Warrior of the Light has, at least once, believed that he was not a Warrior of the Light.
Every Warrior of the Light has failed in his spiritual duties.
Every Warrior of the Light has hurt someone he loved.
That is why he is Warrior of the Light, because he has been through all this and yet has never lost hope of being better than he is.”
Do not beat yourself up – or allow others to do so – when you experience those not-so-spiritual moments. Instead embrace them, and know with each moment you are becoming a better person – a better soul. We all succumb to fear, pain and anger at times. But by not giving up, we have already won half the battle.
Tammy Mastroberte is a three-time, award-winning writer, founder of Elevated Existence, and publisher and editorial director of the multi-award-winning Elevated Existence Magazine. She started the new age, spiritual and self-improvement publication at age 30 – eight years after the sudden death of her mother from a brain aneurysm only three days after Christmas in 1999. This tragedy led her down a synchronistic path to discover her purpose and the meaning behind many of the events in her life – including her mother’s death. She now shares her guidance, and the wisdom of today’s top authors and spiritual celebrities through Elevated Existence Magazine. Follow her on Twitter: @ElevatedTammy or on Instagram: elevatedtammy. For more information, visit www.tammymastroberte.com.