Spiritual snobbery: When I first started yoga and started on my spiritual path in my twenties, I looked up to teachers and those that seemed to “know” what others did not. I’ll admit to a little of that spiritual snobbery too. Like…if they would just think like we do…or they don’t get it…we are more evolved/enlightened/conscious. We are human after all and that means we judge very easily. I still see condescending attitudes surrounding certain New Age/Law of Attraction/Spiritual circles very often and I say just focus on your truth, and let others have theirs. Don’t argue about anything holy, or else it sure doesn’t feel like God anymore, but rather peeps that need others to believe what they believe. That’s not religion or spirituality, it’s control. Sometimes silence is golden. Just pray for people if you think they’ve gone astray. They haven’t. A higher power walks with all, not matter what. No one likes to be talked down to or when people make them wrong. Whenever people think they are better or worse than me, I don’t play. I do equals. I’m sure there are levels, but I’m not in a video game.

Spiritual perfectionism: I do this one really well. Holding myself to ridiculous standards, like if I’d only watch more Super Soul Sunday on OWN, I could permanently remain spiritual forever.  Laughable, I know.  That if I have made a mistake, I should never repeat it and I should not have so many damn lessons anymore, after I’ve worked so hard at letting go and connecting with God. That goes along with perfect-mom-syndrome in my book (not possible, not matter how much I try to convince myself when we have a crazy day here or I lose my temper). I thought I would be like all the self-help, New Thought, and spiritual writers. Turns out, some of them aren’t like that either and it was kind of rude for me to think they couldn’t be human too. I know there are probably monks in temples and yogis in ashrams, mere mortals on mountains who’ve transcended ego and emotions and feelings. Maybe? But I live in New Jersey. I’m married. I have five kids. I get my feelings hurt and I feel empathy for others. One of my kids is usually mad at me for something. If given the option to be a spiritual robot who never felt anything sounds good when I’m in the muck and yuck, but I’d never take it. I’ll roll with this. I’ll just keep doing my best.  And I have a soul, so therefore I’m a spiritual being at my core.

Spiritual amnesia: This Mercury Retrograde period is coming to an end and some of my old gunk came up for me to say…adios…for good. Or if it’s that layers of the onion thing, I’m screwed. Just kidding. Growing and learning and living and blooming is the gig. Yesterday, I was having one of those I-don’t-know-diddly-squat type of days. Like your superhero costume got lost at the cleaners and rockstar status has been revoked. Does having bad moments or days mean I’m not a good teacher or life coach? That I shouldn’t be writing that I have the answers to share with others? That I shouldn’t hold classes or webinars? That I’m not practicing what I preach? Of course not! I am sharing my wisdom from the field, in the trenches.  Emotions are not bad. We are emotional creatures. While a robotic nature would come in handy when I feel bad, I’d miss out on the happy high’s too. Self-love is my thing and loving me at my best and worst is walking the talk.  Trusting that I still know, even when I think I don’t know.

My shadow side, the parts of me that are hard to own, have been peeking through my sparkly persona that I’m perceived to be by many. My emotions have been on, as if someone turned on the faucet full force. Practicing what you preach is easy when things are calm in the world, your life, home, and mind. It’s badass-ninja-spiritual-goddess stuff when you can ride out the storm, trusting that chaos precedes growth. Just ask the seed. It’s blooming time, honey pies. Remember to be easy about it all.  Don’t believe what your bad days say.  Listen to your good days. Sometimes you need that bad day in order to remind you how far you’ve come. You may feel like you’re in the Twilight Zone for a time and that you should be committed, but you’re never stuck anyway. Time always moves forward. Other people may never seem to fall, stumble, or doubt, but they do. You’re okay. That contrast, you must trust, that low is going to spring board you forward. Love is the best place to put your energy in any moment.  Gratitude. Relax. Softness is a wonderful place to be.  No stress or force.  Deep breath. Breathe in the Divine. Breathe out your old wounds. It’s a cleansing time. May look like spiritual amnesia for you too, but it’s not. I promise. We’re human and it’s wonderful. Let’s enjoy it.