Enlightenment. Transformation.

Such powerful, intimidating words.

We set ourselves off on a mission of growth and exploration. And when it’s not perfect, we tend to beat ourselves up along the way.

We get excited when someone brings motivation and light into our lives.

A new author, yoga teacher, or thought leader, and we think to ourselves, “If only I could be more like them, my life would be better.”

I’m here to tell you that your guru has bad days too.

Have we been duped by how damn happy Buddha looks all the time? By the belief that once we have signed up for this spiritual exploration of ourselves everything will be rainbows and butterflies?

Sorry to rain on your parade, but it’s actually quite the opposite.

The path of self-discovery often shines a big ole spot light on all of our triggers before we see any glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

It’s a time when all of our favorite ghosts come out to play:

“Why, helloooo,” ~ Self-destructive thought patterns

“How ya been?” ~ Scars from past relationships

“Yes, I’m still here!!” ~ The ghost of childhood trauma

Well, sh*t.

This is when going back to your old ways becomes much more appealing. That’s fine and dandy—except your soul simply won’t allow it.

The beauty here is knowing that the grass truly is greener on the other side.

It’s draining. It’s painful. But once you finally lay it all out on the table and deal with it, look it right in the face and say:

It’s okay.

I forgive you.

You are not broken.

These thoughts are not even real.

I’m ready to heal and move on.

I’m worthy of healing. I’m worthy of having a good life.

Then you take your power back and continue the climb.

And when you think those ghosts are finally gone, they will start multiplying like bunnies.

But that’s okay. You are okay. You are not broken.

Your guru isn’t a perfect, shiny object with a perfect, shiny life.

No one is. That’s where social media fails us all so miserably.

We are spiritual beings who are meant to explore every aspect of ourselves so we can live a rich, fulfilling life.

There are no shortcuts. And, like Brené Brown says:

“Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”

Be brave and be bold. You got this.