authentic

Engaging in Spiritual Conversation and Nourishing Your Soul

Awakening Your Authenticity

Hello, beautiful Souls,

Today, I am talking about our spiritual well-being and how leaving our spirituality in the closet causes us to find a large part of who we really are.  

Our hesitancy to engage in spiritual conversations often stems from a deep-seated fear of vulnerability. Spiritual beliefs are a personal thing; Touching upon our core values and our deeper understanding of why we exist. Exposing these intimate facets of ourselves can be daunting, leading to many of us, simply choosing silence over potential discomfort.

Recognizing that vulnerability is not a weakness but a source of strength is crucial. Sharing our spiritual perspectives fosters authenticity and deepens connections with others. By embracing vulnerability, we create a space for genuine exchanges, strengthening the fabric of our relationships.

Cultural Stigma: Unraveling the Threads of Judgment

The fear of judgment is intricately woven into the fabric of our societal norms. Cultural expectations and stigmas surrounding certain spiritual beliefs can cast a shadow on open discussions. Breaking free from these constraints involves challenging preconceived notions and fostering a culture that values diverse perspectives.

Encouraging open-mindedness and cultural sensitivity can help dismantle the barriers erected by judgment. By fostering an atmosphere where individuals feel accepted, irrespective of their spiritual beliefs, we pave the way for authentic conversations that transcend cultural divides.

Personal Growth: Navigating the Spiritual Journey

Embarking on a personal journey towards spiritual authenticity requires a commitment to continuous growth. Personal growth involves exploring various spiritual practices, self-reflection, and seeking knowledge beyond one’s immediate understanding. The willingness to evolve spiritually allows for finer distinctions to evolve around our beliefs.

Moreover, integrating spiritual practices into our daily lives can be transformative. Whether through meditation, prayer, or acts of kindness, these practices serve as anchors, grounding us in the spiritual dimensions of our existence and fostering a sense of purpose.

Multidimensional Living: Integrating Spirituality into Daily Life

Living authentically involves recognizing that spirituality is not confined to designated moments or spaces. It permeates every aspect of our lives. Integrating spiritual principles into our daily routines, decision-making processes, and interactions with others reinforces the interconnectedness of our spiritual and worldly experiences.

This multidimensional approach encourages a holistic understanding of our life, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between our spiritual beliefs and the tangible aspects of life. It’s a harmonious dance where spirituality enhances the richness of our human experience.

The Power of Conversation: Building Bridges Through Understanding

Creating authentic conversations requires a commitment to active listening, empathy, and the willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue. We make a bridge between diverse beliefs by approaching spiritual discussions with an open heart and mind. This bridge allows for the exchange of ideas, the discovery of common ground, and the celebration of our shared humanity.

So, let’s break the silence around spiritual conversations and try some of the following:

  • Confronting your fears.
  • Dismantling cultural stigmas.
  • Embracing your personal growth.
  • Integrating spirituality into daily life.
  • Fostering open dialogue around the nature of our spiritual life.

As we navigate these many aspects of spirituality, I believe that “coming out” and allowing our spirituality to be seen and heard will unlock our potential for deeper connections, understanding, and a more authentic and compassionate way of living our lives. 

And need I say our world could do with a more heartfelt spiritual connection? 

Thank you for reading todays Blog Post

Heart to Heart and Spirit to Spirit, Elizabeth

The Illusion of the Digital Persona: PART TWO 

The digital world can create a compelling illusion—a carefully curated image of ourselves that we present to the online audience. We craft our posts, photos, and stories to gain likes, shares, and followers, often blurring the lines between reality and the persona we’ve created. It’s easy to get caught up in this illusion, believing that the more attention we receive, the more influential and authentic we become.

The Pitfall of Self-Admiration

One of the dangers of the digital age is the temptation to become infatuated or fascinated with our digital selves. The constant feedback loop of notifications, comments, and messages can feed our ego and create a sense of self-importance. This self-admiration can divert our attention from the genuine purpose of our spiritual journey and our role as guides and mentors.

The Loss of Connection

As we become more entranced by our digital presence, we risk losing connection—with ourselves, the Source of our spiritual wisdom, and the community we aim to serve. Proper spiritual mentorship builds meaningful relationships, fosters empathy, and supports those in need. When our digital persona bewitches us, these vital connections can erode.

Staying Grounded and Authentic

To avoid being bewitched by your digital presence, it’s essential to cultivate mindfulness and self-awareness.

Here are some practices to help you stay grounded and authentic:

  • Regular Self-Reflection: Reflect on your digital activities and their impact on your authenticity and mission. Are you staying true to your purpose or getting caught up in the numbers and superficial validation?
  • Limit Screen Time: Set boundaries for your screen time and digital interactions. Allocate specific periods for online engagement and prioritize real-life connections.
  • Mindful Posting: Before sharing content online, ask yourself if it aligns with your authentic self and your mission as a spiritual mentor. Avoid creating content solely for likes and follows.
  • Community Building: Focus on building a genuine community around your spiritual work. Engage with your audience deeply, fostering connections based on shared growth and understanding.
  • Connect with Nature: Spend time in nature to ground yourself and reconnect with the Source of your spirituality. Nature can provide valuable insights and rejuvenate your spirit.
  • Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself and recognize that, like everyone, you may be susceptible to the allure of the digital world. When you get carried away, practice self-compassion and gently guide yourself back to the real you.

Remember, your digital presence is a tool to share your wisdom and connect with others, not a stage for self-admiration. By staying mindful and grounded, you can ensure that your digital footprint reflects the essence of your spiritual journey and mentorship.

Heart to Heart, Elizabeth Ellames

2022 a year of Alignment, Adjustment and Affirmation

Dear Shining Ones,

2022 is coming to a close and invites reflection and completion.

This year has presented me with several powerful and clarifying experiences. Each of these experiences held lessons and blessings around these three themes and concepts – 

Alignment 

The act of aligning or state of being aligned. The proper positioning or adjustment in alignment with my true purpose.

Adjustment

The act or process of stating, correcting and modifying.

Affirmation

Asserting and affirming my new state of being to be a true and positive action.

This three-fold theme was present and persistent in 2022. – Even though it felt very challenging, I knew this triple-A process was forging a new version of myself. 

This year has shown me my ability to recognise and act when things feel out of alignment and how making the appropriate adjustments allowed for the energy to flow to myself and anything I was working on.

With every decision, I decided to draw a line in the sand and express my authenticity, this created an appropriate environment affirming my actions and true nature. 

So, I must give thanks for all 2022 has asked of me. Each decision and act has made me show up and honour my mission and purpose in this lifetime. 

At the end of 2012 after 12 months of facilitating a group of amazing women, I witnessed a new style of leadership and now 10 years on, at the end of 2022 I realise I am living my new version of this New Style of Leadership; Light Leadership. I believe Light Leadership demonstrates social and spiritual synergy.

The Light Leader focuses on staying in a unity-based context, which defines and gives structure to the role of the Light Leader as a co-creator and community builder. I use the term co-creator not only as co-creating with others but also co-creating with the Divine Living Presence.

I know the first step in becoming a Light Leader is saying YES to the call…

I know that social and spiritual awareness is one of the same and plays a large part in being an effective leader. And even though I said yes to the call many years ago, I can feel a new level of conviction rising within me, as a social and spiritual human being.

Here are definitions, which I believe are how many people view the idea of being social and spiritual today.

Definition – Social

About being devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations. Living or inclined to live in companionship with others or a community, rather than in isolation. The welfare, and relations of human beings in a community.

Definition – Spiritual

Relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; not tangible or material. About having a spirit or soul, different from the physical nature. Having a relationship based on a profound level of mental or emotional unity, a refined and higher quality of emotions and actions.

Social and Spiritual Synergy is at the heart of every Light Leader, creating long-term effective change.

Social and Spiritual 

I believe the connection between Social and Spiritual awareness is an integral part of our human experience, we are much more than our immediate world of material matter, we are also made up of our inner more sensitive world of emotions, which are connected to our thoughts, feelings, desires, and visions for a promising future.

However, when I start to talk in these terms, people often become dismissive, defensive, and disagreeable. Perhaps that’s because people think we must keep social and spiritual concepts separate.

But what if keeping them separate has created many of the hardships we are facing today? I believe there is no separation between social and spiritual; unfortunately, humanity is repeatedly creating this illusion of separation, which is accelerating our current unstable reality.

My role as a Light Leader requires bringing these two worlds/realities; social and spiritual together. It doesn’t involve becoming a preacher or religious person. All it requires is the desire to cultivate a promising future for humanity, one where both social and spiritual needs are met and respected. It is acknowledging, honouring, and participating in the process of creation…

Every culture throughout early civilization was centred on a creation myth of some kind.

A creation myth (or creation story) is a cultural, traditional or religious myth, which describes the earliest beginnings of the present world. Creation myths are the most common form of myth, usually developing first in oral traditions, and are found throughout human culture.

A creation myth is usually regarded as conveying profound truths, although not necessarily in a historical or literal sense. And then there are cosmology myths, which describe the ordering of the cosmos from a state of chaos or nothingness.

What I am suggesting is that human culture was originally based on concepts, like social and spiritual connection. This is not a new or unusual concept; perhaps we have just forgotten the nature of our origins and adopted a more hedonistic mindset and need to evolve our awareness to be Benevolent and Holistic. I’m not saying we need to return to ancient practices, but rather we can draw on these useful concepts.

Here are three simple definitions that I believe are aligned with the Light Leadership model. I see the concept and application of social and spiritual creation and co-creation as valuable tools in our world today.

Definition – Creation

The act or process of creating. Something that has been brought into existence or created. The act of creating or engendering; give rise to.

These neutral definitions of creation also provide a great platform from which to form a new and stronger style of leadership. The idea of creation is the combination of being in the continuous process of social and spiritual activity. 

Humans are creations themselves, so the process of becoming socially and spiritually creative enhances our ability to create even more. Creating a new, creating together, creating social systems and creating spiritually sound relationships. 

This is how we grow a vibrant and creative new humanity. – I don’t see an end to the process, but rather it requires a commitment to stay in the process until your time is up; your life cycle is complete. Perhaps we need to stay in a continuous process of creation for the new humanity to remain just that; it must always stay in a state of new.

So, in summary, I know social and spiritual are one of the same and do need to co-exist. We require social structures with a sound unity-based context, for the refined qualities of our human spirit to be creative and fully expressed. 

Being openly social and spiritual is my real quest and mission. 

My work is not mainstream, yet. However, for Social and Spiritual Synergy to be accepted in our world I must express my own social and spiritual authenticity. 

As a Light Leader, I am committed to maintaining and repairing the social and spiritual fabric of our humanity. And as a Light Leader, I am prepared to stay in the process of alignment, adjustment and affirmation of my co-creation for as long as it takes.

I continue to believe if I’m able to observe the perfected patterns of nature; Creation, desirable results will form organically and the true nature of success will take up its rightful place in the minds and hearts of community and humanity.

Hope is my Leadership and it’s fuelled by my conviction to serve something greater than myself, with which I am also aligned. People often think hope is for the naive or unworldly, but I know hope is for the brave-hearted. 

It is the North Star of my authentic leadership because my ancestor’s hope lives on in the heart of my true nature.  – All I need to do is to show up and be me!

Heart to Heart, Dear Ones and may your Social and Spiritual life in 2023 be a creative and fulfilling adventure. Blessings Abound, Elizabeth

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