There is an auto insurance company that specializes in matching your needs to their services and coverage. They hold the policy based on what you can afford and how well you drive. This reminds me of how easily we complicate things as this company has found a way to accommodate just about anyone. Watching the commercials and internet ads it seems that they have become famous with their spokeswoman, Flo (flow of easiness) who is wonderfully charismatic. I think of spiritual practice like this insurance company. It is modified and specialized to your specific needs. No two people will be alike in regards to their core beliefs, experiences, and Divine lessons.
What happens when friends and/or family members are not on the same spiritual path as you? In the past I have blocked myself completely from evolving in a spiritual practice in order not to ruffle anyone’s feathers. If they did not understand my beliefs then I would just hold the growth for a while. I have never wanted to pull anyone into my mindset. Rather than stand my ground I just let spirituality fall by the wayside. Every so often I would recheck with them to see where I would fit into their convictions. It wasn’t a healthy way of living or trying to be authentic to my truth. I rarely honored me and what was my path.
An amazing therapist once told me that I needed to travel alone in my spiritual journey. I couldn’t wait for others to get on my path. That wasn’t their travel. Spirituality is often a lonely adventure. She said that the things I see, hear or feel were not abnormal. I had caused myself a substantial amount of trauma leading to self-worth issues. Those things I discern are not always going to be understood by others. For most of my life I shut down intuitive gifts just so I wouldn’t be considered witchy or insane. Whenever someone commented on my “gifts” I would respond with animosity “that a gift you could return. This had no return-refund policy.” Even though I had little doubt of how or where I received messages I still wouldn’t share. I was also waiting on others to “see the light” and then I could continue moving happily down my path with companionship.
It doesn’t work that way. Each spiritual opening, lesson, journey and experience is individually planned and customized just like the auto insurance company. It fits your needs and life. Needless to say, I was pretty miserable leading a double life of what was real and what was expected of me. It is foolish to see how I would stump my spiritual growth in order for others to catch up (or not feel uncomfortable). I have no clue what I was thinking but in the process of denying these gifts I endured many challenges.
Spiritual stagnation is degrading. It is paralyzing. I can’t undo the things that I allowed for most of my adult life. Now I am embracing it. I am allowing it to flow easily (just like Flo from the commercials). I can’t explain where things come from or how I receive messages. All I know is that I am always held in divine light and moved through sacred blessings. The less I resist the more uncomplicated my life becomes. We are made of mind, body and spirit. When one or more are misaligned life becomes chaotically unbearable. Denying one’s true path and gifts in any part of our being is pure injustice to the self.
These days I am pretty diligent in my spiritual practice. I need my mornings of silence. I need the incense burning, candles lit, and recite my prayers. I need moments of meditation, writing, and manifesting. I need to square out alone time during the day for deep breathing and gratitude. It is when I cut out those moments that I feel the vortex of my spirit go out of control. It is this simple! Spiritual stagnation is no longer a priority. I have made peace that not everyone will agree with me. I have deleted the expectation of others catching up to my beliefs and practice. It is liberating. Those who love me accept my goofiness, playfulness, and most of all my lack of filtering the messages from beyond. Nowadays these folks bring out the best of a genuine spiritual life. After all isn’t that what we all want: to live a faithful-simple life through divine guidance?
Photo Credit: www.spiritualpathinc.org (No copyright infringement intended.)
About the Author: Millie A. Mestril
After raising six children, working in the corporate world, and being part of a relationship for eighteen years, I found that happiness was not consistent in my world. I left the business world, ended a relationship that was deteriorating and headed to the mountains. My best friend and I bought a small motel in the middle of gorgeous country and began the greatest journey. What started as a visit to Asheville in May of 2010 became a permanent home for us. Now with only one teenager at home, I am able to be part of a wonderful world of meeting people from all walks of life. We’ve transformed an old gem of a place into a sweet and quaint oasis for others to find peace. To those looking into our lives it seems we saved Peaceful Quest Retreats, but the reality is that this place saved us. Every day brings joy, inspiration and a zest for life I never knew existed. The lessons have not always been easy but the ride has been scenic and delightful. I can’t imagine ever returning to a life that was not authentic to my spirit. ~ Millie A. Mestril
Please feel free to visit our website at www.peacefulquestretreats.com . I also have a personal blog at: www.momentswithmillie.wordpress.com
