Facing Our Shame Leads To Spiritual Growth

I was recently reminded of a hasty set of predictions I made a decade ago for a former colleague, when I had just started my psychic career. At the time, his wife was pregnant with twins, and I foolishly attempted to forecast when, where and how they would be born. Some of my predictions panned out, while some didn’t. At least I correctly predicted they would be born under the sign of Leo!

Looking back on it, I realize I was overly giddy in wanting to share my impressions with him. I certainly overstepped boundaries as a developing psychic, when I chose to impulsively send my predictions to him by email, without him asking for it. This kind of unsolicited psychic advice is seldom a good idea.

In those early days, I wrongly assumed it was the right thing for me to do. I presumed it my duty as a psychic to share whatever I perceived. Not only did I later regret sending that unwelcome email, but I also felt very embarrassed and ashamed. It also shook my fragile ego at the time.

Today, I see it very differently. That hasty email has since served as a valuable lesson in humility, patience, and vulnerability. In fact, it made me a better psychic. These days, I am much more measured and circumspect in my approach, and I no longer feel pressured to share absolutely everything that comes to mind, especially not if it is uninvited.

We all make foolish mistakes sometimes, but we live and learn. This is, after all, what our life journey as a spiritual being in human form is all about. Sometimes my clients say things like, “I shouldn’t have said that,” or “I wish I had never done that.” I then gently remind them there’s never a black-and-white line in the sand that, once you have crossed it, you’ve forever made yourself a ‘loser’ or a ‘fool.’

Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change ~ Brené Brown

Spirit encourages us to be compassionate with ourselves. Trust that every moment of vulnerability serves a valuable purpose that is redeemed by learning from our mistakes. In time, we learn to make fewer of the same ‘mistakes’ with more mindful behavior. This is a continuous process of growth and learning that continues throughout our lifetime. We never truly cross the finish line, as we are all spiritual works in progress!

What is important, however, is that we bravely face our past ‘wrongs.’ Shame and self-judgment can only fester if it remains swept under the rug. Once we face up to it, and own our mistakes, we learn from it, forgive ourselves, and release the toxic shame of our former ‘foolish’ self. Remember also to be patient with yourself. The most important life lessons are often the most challenging to learn. New attitudes, life skills and habits all take time to adopt and cultivate.

Self-love and self-compassion are, however, the most crucial ingredients for personal growth and spiritual expansion. If you do not love yourself, shame will continue to haunt you. Know that we are all doing the best we can, with what we know, and what we have available to us at a given time. Just live and learn. God, Source, Spirit, the Divine has your back, every step of the way.