It’s easy to assume that spiritual folk are balanced, integrated and conscious.

It’s easier still to place leaders and teachers on pedestals.

The reality is that most people (ahem! All people!) are still *on the journey* of spirituality and consciousness.

That means… they are still learning lessons, navigating the challenges of their own psyche (and sometimes getting it monumentally wrong!) and all in all, being human.

Last year I stepped more boldly and brightly into my own leadership and business. It boomed, it was vibrant, successful and exciting! I also made mistakes along the way and learned a lot of things.

Here’s what I learned:

• sex, money & power are still the most unintegrated aspects of the human psyche

• emotional manipulation and collusion are rife within all communities and social groupings

• there’s a strong but nuanced line between mimicking and emulation and discovering self and gifts through individuation

• the way we perceive others is a matter of perception

• conflict resolution only works when all persons have dissolved the emotional trigger first and are interested in a way forward

• new age spiritual language is a good tool for emotional manipulation 

• deceptive behaviours always manifest where there is inner distortion and an adherence to the victim/perpetrator dynamic

• victims will always exist for as long as they believe they’re victims

• no one is responsible for your emotional process or well-being – sort that out yo’ self

• public shaming to gain sympathy, support and power-over is a shitty way of navigating difficult and unpleasant situations 

• threats are never helpful 

• if you’ve got an issue with someone, it’s best to take it to them directly 

• it’s ok to say No to engaging in drama, even if you’re saying No to someone/someone’s who you think have more power than you 

• the world is not “safe”. People are not “safe”. You are not owed “safe” spaces, experiences, situations or relationships

• the world is full of monsters and unintegrated folk – deal with it. (And don’t for a second think you’re not a Monster too – you are)

• learning how to meet challenges and hold your centre in the heat of discomfort, pressure and intensity is a good thing. 

• trust yourself and your intuition, always. 

• when you do something wrong, admit it, find the source code of what prompted it and get on with your life (beating yourself up, or allowing others to beat you up doesn’t help anyone)

• spiritual work is HARD. It’s not all love and light. 

• having good systems in your business and people you can rely on is priceless. 

• never compromise your gut feels or your integrity for the sake of others. 

• whatever you do, go for it. Don’t let the world stop you from giving it a go – it’s ok to fuck up. 

Suffice to say, a lot was learned, integrated and moved on from. 

If you’re on the brink of taking a monumental leap, whether it’s in business, love, travel or with family, I say, go for it! Trust yourself, get ok with making mistakes and experience the brilliance of lessons learned.

Cheers to the challenges that life brings ?