That's Right! Together we can create the world of our dreams

That's Right! We are here to learn from one another

That's Right! Everything is an opportunity to awaken

That's Right! My relationships teach me what I need to know

That's Right! I am bringing my spiritual essence into daily life

Thank you for your emails. It's a delight to get glimpses into your personal journeys and I truly enjoy the spirit of community that seems to be coming alive. I received a wonderful question yesterday and wanted to share...

Our relationships and everything around us are here to reflect our own inner process. Prior to awakening, we walk through life ruled by the ego - as we awaken, the true sense of self begins to emerge. Here are some ideas to keep in mind when feeling negative energy or an actual attack from someone:

• Recognize that the attack is deeply rooted in the other person's egoic reaction to you or to the situation
• When you feel defensive - go within and ask your higher guidance what you might be trying to learn from the situation
• What you resist, persists - the best way to handle dysfunctional behavior is to choose not to react to it. When we make the conscious decision not to feed more energy into a negative situation and become neutral, it dies out more quickly
• Do not become attached to a particular outcome - instead, do your best to flow with the situation and see where you are led
• Realize that your spiritual growth is a process - it's challenging sometimes to move directly into love immediately. Give youself and the situation space and be patient, then the acceptance and giving of love will be authentic and powerful

A few years ago I came under attack from someone who had a business near my office. He was a minister of some sort and, operating from great fear and disfunction, had decided that I was a minion of Satan and would yell at my clients as they came to visit me. The negative energy seemed to flow into my space and I really struggled for a bit, not knowing how to handle the situation. Initially, my ego stepped in. I was a bit indignant (obviously), I shared the story with a few friends (strengthening my ego and my sense of 'being right') and felt like I had been drawn into an emotional battle with an attack on my beliefs, my business and my ability to earn money in a little town. I loved my space and didn't want to leave it.

Then I began to look for the lesson. I was reacting strongly to him because he was reflecting to me the judgment I still carried about hypocrisy and organized religion. My judgment was a shield for those aspects of myself that I had yet to fully heal. I made the conscious decision not to speak with him or try to change his mind about me - doing so would only feed fuel to the flames and draw out the negativity.

Instead, I moved into total surrender and placed the situation in the hands of the Universe. I began to include this man in my Gragitude Walks, honoring the situation as perfect, saying "I'm grateful for the challenge." I decided to move my office (an expense I couldn't really afford) and called my landlord to break my lease, explaining the situation. Upon hearing the reason, he chose to move me to another building he owned and waive the rent for several months to offset the costs.

The end result was receiving a new office that was much better for me, my business increased, I was working next door to one of my closest friends and I recognized the power of acceptance, non-judgment and surrender.

I began to see this person through the eyes of compassion - what pain he must be carrying within himself. His need for drama and conflict shifted off me and on to someone else and I realized it was never about me in the first place. He was a great teacher. Then I was able to send him love and gratitude. I chose not to attach to a particular outcome and instead opened myself to endless possibilities. The best part is that I finally got over my own judgment, having seen it through new eyes... 

Today my intent is to be at peace within the present moment, to honor the world as my mirror and all within it as teachers on my path.