A little while ago I made reference to the fact that several strands of my life were beginning to converge, and had started to look like different aspects of the same personal development journey.
I can now say, with a high degree of confidence, that this IS indeed the case; earlier today I was struck by one of those “lightbulb slaps” that happen every now and then. Incidentally, a “lightbulb slap is where you feel a lightbulb going on and the universe slaps you in the face at the same time!
a quick look back down the spiral path
Many moons ago, a very wise lady pointed out to me the spiral nature of the pagan path (any path actually). Over the years, I have definitely noticed this tendency to arrive back at a similar position as before, only with more knowledge and understanding.
This occured earlier today, where I was taken back to something I posted online right at the very beginning of my spiritual “quest”.
I posted/proposed at the time that the real goal of our mortal existence is to seek out the things that make us happy, and let that happiness drive everything else we do. So if going to a football match at the weekend (for example) gave us that sort of fulfilment, then we simply needed to do what we needed to be able to afford to do that, gain happiness from the experience and achieve a sense of fulfillment.
The words I used at the time would have been slightly different, but that was the general idea. With hindsight, it was rather simplistic and too focused on the term “happiness”. The reality is a little more complex, and revolves around a broader concept of fulfillment.
the converging of worlds
One of the things I have done online is to keep a distinct separation between different aspects of my life. The main reason for this is to allow me to have a focus with each blog, and avoid having a single blog that tried to cover everything. People who read my blog entries on personal development, for example, may have no interest in paganism.
The fact that I saw these areas as not being connected made the decision (to parition things) even easier. This separation is still valid, for me though the boundaries are becoming increasingly blurred. The different aspects of business, personal development and spiritual path have started to share a lot of common ground.
These worlds come together around the central pivot of “personal development”. The spiritual journey, the current focus on health, fitness and mindset, and the increasing understanding of where I wish to take my business activities – they are, in fact, the exact same journey. They are part of the same personal universe which, when you think about it, makes absolute sense (after all, I am only one person!)
the spiritual path
As discussed before, I am currently working towards 2nd degree initiation within my coven. This takes the form, among other things, of a series of elemental dedications. My current understanding, and personal positions with respect to each of these are as follows:
earth
patience, long term commitment, endurance, strength and persistence
As a Taurean I found that I easily connected and resonated with Earth.
air
ideas, inspiration, intellect, thoughts, apsirations, dreams, vision, mission
This turns out to be my secondary trait; ideas and dreams flow relatively easily, my mind is rarely still
fire
passion, taking action, seeing things through, burning off things that are holding you back, aggression
As the opposite sign to Earth it is no surprise that this is my big weak spot – this is my current stage of development and it was only when I started playing with fire that these aspects and characteristics started to come into my life. When they started to come, they arrived swiftly, without warning and could have easily caught me offguard. Much like a bushfire in fact!
water
emotion, feeling, compassion, service, empathy
This will be the next area to explore – I know I have some deficiencies in this area, however I am reasonably sure that I am not as lacking with water as I was/am with fire. It will be interesting to see where this one takes me, I’m sure it will take me exactly where I need to be.
the business path
Compare, if you will, the spiritual aspects above with some themes and changes that I’ve experienced on the “business” front. To enjoy real success in business, you need:
Patience, long term commitment, strength and persistence.
You’ve got to take your ideas and stand by them for the “long haul”. There is no quick fix, no genuinely fulfilling “get rich quick” path, and there are many times when you feel like quitting when you just need to soldier on.
Ideas, inspiration, apsirations, dreams, goals, vision, a mission.
Your overall purpose and mission creates the vision, the vision leads to inspired ideas and thinking. If you can combine these ideas with patience, endurance, service and passion, then you will enjoy success.
Passion, taking action, seeing things through, getting rid of baggage that holds you back.
When your vision and mission come from within, you are sure to be passionate about it. To realise the potential of the vision, you need to act on it, you need to address things that hold you back (procrastination, fear etc.) and you need to use your passion to drive things through to completion.
Service, compassion, empathy and understanding.
Your business will enjoy most success when your drive, persistence, passion and mission converge around the concept of service. A desire to help people, a desire to understand their needs, understand their issues and the compasssion and willingness to provide service that truly solves those issues for them.
the personal development path
As I pursue a healthier lifestyle, mainly for the benefit of myself AND my family, I am discovering that long term success can only be achieved through:
- Having clear goals (vision)
- Being inspired by the reasons underlying the process
- Determination, patience and persistence
- Fire in the belly, attacking obstacles as they show themselves
- Having strong emotions linked to the overall mission – in my case those emotions take the form of things like a desire to NOT have to simply watch as my boy runs around. Also to provide a strong positive example to both my kids (and others).
have you spotted a pattern yet?
I don’t know about you, but I don’t see much difference in any of those 3 areas. Having walked some way down those 3 “separate” paths I know that they are not really separate. This manifests itself in a couple of key ways. Firstly I find myself inspired to blog about some development in one area or another, and then find I am unsure exactly WHICH blog it should go on. Secondly, every time I get a lightbulb moment in one area, there is almost always a secondary “flash” as I realise that the same thought applies across everything.
Quite some time ago I knew I had an interest in Paganism, but I guess I didn’t REALLY know what to expect from it. I now know – Paganism (for me) is the spiritual component of a single personal development journey.
Paganism, like any genuinely spiritual path, is the art and practice of personal alchemy.
