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They’ll usually label this act as ‘letting go’. They’ll speak as if challenging circumstances are an indicator from the universe that the thing they’re pursuing is “not for me”, when maybe what’s really going on is that they’re afraid, or doubting themselves, or something has triggered an old wound that they’d rather not look at.
Sometimes the person I feel bad for in this regard is me.
It can be hard to face the things within myself that I’d rather not see; my own shadow. Sometimes I feel ashamed to admit that I’m not fully in control of myself, and I’m not always aware of what’s really driving me. But ultimately, that’s always where the growth is, because sometimes my challenges are not actually messages from above, but rather messages from below.
When we don’t want to face what’s holding us back, our minds can even trick us into thinking that the avoidance impulse (which is really based in fear) is actually a spiritual message from above. Mistakenly thinking that all of our impulses are higher intuitive guidance… Well, that’s a spiritual ego trap right there.
So how do we know which impulses to follow?
Often we don’t. Not with absolute certainty. Some humility is called for. It’s useful to stop expecting our higher self to be able to communicate with us with absolute clarity, like a bell, every time. It’s useful to ask ourselves some questions.
Here’s a truth worth acknowledging: Unless you’re already an enlightened being, then not all of your impulses are going to come from your higher self-intuitive guidance system. Some of your feeling-based impulses are going to come from your lower level blockages; your fears, limiting beliefs, old wounds, emotional baggage triggers, and karmic patterns.
At the risk of contradicting one of the greatest philosophers of all time…perhaps it’s not as dramatic as all that! But it is true that if we’re not fully satisfied and happy in our life, then it’s hard to make progress towards something better unless we’re willing to do a bit of self-enquiry.
I believe that the universe is designed to help us work through our emotional blockages as quickly as possible, mainly by orchestrating the exact situations that will dig up the things that are holding us back so we can face them. When we really face our blockages with honesty and humility, thank them for the service they’ve performed (because our blockages were initially designed to protect us, and they’ve always taught us something), then the blockage has permission to dissolve.
If we choose not to face ourselves in that moment, well, that’s okay. The universe will patiently keep knocking on that door over and over again with new situations that give us the same opportunity to face our shadow (the unacknowledged and disowned parts of ourselves) until we are ready to finally answer the door and really look ourselves in the eye. Without judgment. Without shame. With compassion, and with love.
One of my favourite quotes is this one from Carl Jung, the granddaddy of psychoanalysis: “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
Humility is the key, in my experience. We have to be willing to ask, in every challenging situation, “Am I being pulled from above or below? Please show me what I can’t see. Please teach me what I don’t already know.”
These are worthy questions. And if we truly want to make rapid progress in creating more abundance, better relationships, deeper love, more empathy, more compassion, and happiness in life…then they are essential questions.
Julie Ann Cairns is the author of the top selling Hay House book 'The Abundance Code: How to Bust the 7 Money Myths for a Rich Life Now', and the director and producer of the documentary of the same name, 'The Abundance Code'.
Julie Ann's life mission is to empower people to live an abundant life free from false beliefs, to make a shift to the abundance mindset, and seek joint solutions to the most pressing challenges facing our planet.
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Who are we? Why it matters
Gregg Braden asks: Who are we? Why would it matter? How differently would we live our lives knowing that we’re more than the product of random evolution?
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Got Chronic Drama Syndrome?
When good things happen to you, do you find it hard to accept them? When bad things happen do you accept it as your lot in life?
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Do You Suffer from Drama Syndrome?
Explore the psychological impact of drama syndrome. Learn how to manage emotional turbulence and improve mental well-being with practical strategies.
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Depressive realism vs delusional optimism
Would you rather be a depressed realist or a delusional optimist? Compile evidence to support the story that you are having an amazingly blessed and happy life.
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Muscle cars and meditation – your two natures
Understanding your chi & path is important because if you’re off your primary nature path either it won’t happen or it won’t be paired with health or happiness.
1
2020: The year I started getting paid while lounging in the nude
How coping with the lockdown started a new business, re-ignited a creative passion, and cured anxiety.
2
A framework for thriving through and beyond the pandemic
It may sound counter-intuitive but the key to thriving is struggle. So, if you have really struggled in lockdown this is your opportunity – grab it with everything you have!
3
The environment in a post-lockdown world
Earlier this year, the world entered unchar ted waters when a coronavirus outbreak turned into a global pandemic. This placed the citizens of most industrialised countries in an unprecedented position, with home lockdowns, social distancing, and unfolding economic impacts whose ramifications are starting to emerge. The virus is affecting nearly everything, to a greater or lesser degree, including how environmental issues can be tackled.
4
Finding pleasure and aliveness in a pandemic
Have you had a healthy relationship with your pleasure lately? How can we use sensual pleasure to become more resilient?
5
How do you prosper during COVID-19?
Seeking strength through adversity, and adapting to change, Craig finds a way to prosper – and discovers a brand new passion along the way.
6
The art of making meaning – post-pandemic style
Making meaning helps us endure and recover from traumatic experiences, and could help you thrive beyond COVID-19 by Larissa Wright
