I woke up again thinking about personal relationships. Particularly, the one we have with that spirit energy, that spirit voice, we call it God, or whatever term you want to use to describe that connection.

We're wired differently. As a result, we're impacted differently by sounds, energy in the environment, and language. It's personal to each of us.

That difference is significant enough that it either inspires growth

or hinders our movement. Particularly if we haven't invested time to understand what channel we're operating on.

There is enough evidence to confirm that each of us has our own unique frequency that is influenced by how we're wired neurologically.

Our cellular makeup, our energy, physically, mentally, emotionally, all of those elements come together to create the unique being that we are.

We're similar to others in that we have minds, bodies, and energy. We walk and talk. We have feelings, emotions, desires, dreams, and goals. Those are the similarities.

The difference is rooted in the fact that we have specific elements that are more attractive to us than others, which puts us on a unique path. A route that is often comparable to being on a solo journey. We may see others out on the road, but they're not on our path.

It's like two individuals walking together. They're not walking on one line; they're walking side by side, traveling their journey, on their path, in close proximity.

I think it's easy to believe that we will stay on that same path. It's like being on the path together, but realizing that there is a point where the spirit moves us onto a different path. One that directs us right or left, up, or down. Or in some instances, we're encouraged to return to our original starting point.

We may have found comfort in being together. The bonding, the trust, and the dependency created with having that physical companionship.

Where the idea of separation becomes painful. Perhaps, not realizing that sometimes our growth happens when we are alone, in a place where the distractions are less. We can hear, feel, and notice what we're thinking relative to the conversation that's happening inside of us.

Those are opportunities for us to develop our awareness and strength in our uniqueness.

And this isn't to suggest that someone is better than others. What it reminds me of is the fact that we have to develop those unique qualities so that we get better.

The Power in Growing Plants

The thought that comes to mind is, when two plants are placed in a pot, they don't grow at the same rate. They're in the same environment, but their uniqueness influences everything about their growth and development.

The pace of their growth. Their leaf size, shape, and texture are all influenced by their unique DNA. One may produce a special bud and leaves. The other produces a flower with a unique fragrance.

We know that the soil isn't responsible for that uniqueness. But it certainly, provides an environment for growth through its unique nutritional and chemical contributions.

It's comparable to shopping in a grocery store and extracting the products, fruits, and vegetables that match our tastes and nutritional preferences.

Each of us has our unique way of connecting and extracting those environmental elements that are meant to promote our personal growth.

And that is a role and responsibility that each of us must learn and implement to promote healthy growth.

Much like those plants, when the proper elements are in place, they grow, and we grow, in a manner in which we're designed to reach our full potential.

However, unlike those plants, which require an environment for growth that includes water, nutrients, and sunlight.

We require mental and emotional stimulation through learning and problem-solving. We also need physical activity to develop and maintain our strength, endurance, and cognitive functions.

There are those mental processes that influence our willingness to learn and invest time and effort into our mental and spiritual development. A choice we can also make or avoid.

It's easy to become frustrated with our human processes, particularly if we haven't had much experience in traveling those paths applying new skills, faith, and trust.

Particularly noticeable when we choose a new path where we have limited exposure and experiences. Which reminds me of that period when I left my corporate job and launched my photography business.

I had to learn new details related to photographing events, speakers, organizing large group photos, and record keeping details. I had to develop the comfort in approaching individuals and walk them through strategies and movements that would produce the best representation of them.

None of which had anything to do with the camera. But it had everything to do with sharing ideas on how to get into character. Much like playing a movie role.

We have been influenced to believe that we must see and know what the outcomes are going to be before we take that first step. And yes, we have the imaginative abilities to formulate those ideas in our minds. However, we also suffer from unconscious incompetence. Meaning that, we don't know what we don't know.

As a result, there are universal processes working below our threshold of consciousness that are also influencing what's happening in our outer and inner world.

It's like a hunch, that soft voice that says go right or left, when no path appears from where you might be standing. But, with a few steps to the right or left, and the path appears, directing us left or right, toward opportunities we never imagined.

Those moments represent conditions in which we have the ability to strengthen our awareness. This is often most noticed when we're navigating life as a solo traveler. It's those moment when we're able to hear those low volume sounds and feel that subtle energy moving through us.

Other plants, animals, and creatures are perfectly wired to move with this universal flow. That is why birds instinctively fly south for the winter, bears hibernate, fish swim to find spawning grounds. And, let's not forget, the caterpillar migrates to a cocoon and emerges as a beautiful butterfly.

There are plenty of examples that show growth and development are universal processes. The difference for us humans is that we have an amazing cognitive ability. We can think and rationalize our way into or away from situations that can help us or hinder our progress.

These become the conditions that are interpreted as either right, wrong, good, or bad. All of which can trigger feelings that will be interpreted as motivation to move with certainty or stay put out of fear and doubt.

Why? Because we're programmed to believe that we need to know how things are going to always work out. And if things don't evolve as envisioned. Some of us become discouraged, slow down, take a detour, and find something that provides more gratification in the short term.

Only to deprive ourselves of the opportunity to grow and maximize our potential. The kind of growth that influence how we'll travel our unique path.

It's like ignoring your garden and wondering why it has been taken over by weeds.

For us humans, it's called moving on faith. Which simply means, we don't get to know all the details about how life is going to unfold.

We are responsible for taking another step and another step. Opening up our minds to feel, sense, and understand what encouragement sounds and feels like in our mind and body.

Particularly, when we feel those nudges, inspiring us to move in a particular direction and there is no one else in our physical presence. Do we move? Or ignore that sensation?

Quick Story

I was in Brussels, Belgium and decided to purchase a train ticket to Bruges, which is approximately two hours north. With ticket in tow. I'm standing at the train station but my train number never appeared.

An hour passes and I noticed a train with the little reader board flashing the name of one of my connecting stations. So I board and travel to the appropriate stop.

While standing on the platform waiting for the train that seemed to be taking too long. That voice inside said, "Skip this trip and go back to the hotel."

So, long story short, I walked a few miles back to the hotel.

I'm back in my room, and I check my emails. And there it is. A notice that my flight was canceled and my departure date had been changed to depart in two days.

I opened the Delta Airlines reservation app, found the changes, and made adjustments to my reservation. Then I went to the front desk to request an extra nights stay. Fortunately, everything worked out.

But I started thinking, If I had continued on my journey, I would have returned late that evening to a surprise that would not have been a good thing to figure out at eleven o'clock at night.

Particularly, when my original departure to the airport was scheduled for 7:00 am the next day.

For me that was a perfect reminder to pay attention.

I remember standing on that platform with those strong feelings.

There was no doubt or fear of losing the few dollars for a train ticket I didn't completely use.

I've learned that we develop that connection by being with ourselves without distractions. Which for me has developed into a stronger sense of awareness, particularly when I'm in a place where I don't speak the language.

For me, walking and listening to meditation music, without words, just tones that are peaceful. Inspires my mind to calmly function as that spirit shows up.

Engaging me in internal conversations that are rooted in curiosity and awareness. Promoting a peaceful state that heightens my sensitivity to the environment including, the trees, structures, people, traffic, animals, and sounds. Which also becomes the perfect moments to take photos.

All of which begins to inspire new thoughts and positive internal dialog which becomes the perfect moment to open my voice memo app and record those ideas flowing to me.

Sometimes it's only a few seconds. Other times that mental flow and data dump can last fifteen to twenty minutes.

I equate it to removing objects from a table top so that there is more space to accommodate other projects.

I've also noticed that when those thoughts and ideas are flowing within me. In many cases, they're appearing on my mental screen for the first time. And the more we allow ourselves to be in that space, experiencing those firsts, and following through. We start to recognize a pattern.

I believe it's in recognizing the patterns in this mental and emotional process, is where our certainty and confidence, continues to grow.

We start to have those aha moments, and say "ah, this is what that feels like." "This is what that looks like."

And then we're less inclined to believe we need something outside of us, to bring that kind of peace of mind and satisfaction to the inside of us.

Because it's already there, we simply develop our unique ability to uncover it, like peeling an onion or peeling an orange. The essence is already there.

We have to remove the distraction.

We have to remove the outer shell.

We have to remove the ideas and thoughts that are inhibiting us from moving because of fear and uncertainty.

And when we get into that rhythm, it's the difference between a plane flying at 15,000 feet through turbulence. Or plane at 35,000 feet flying in the jet stream above the turbulence.

But getting to that physical and mental elevation takes work. Because that's where, I believe, the magic happens. The gift to us is in the effort to get ourselves through all of the struggles, the turmoil, the doubt, and the fears. Including the negative chatter in the environment that influences our level of certainty or confidence.

The better we get at allowing that stuff to flow to us, past us. With our eyes focused. Our spirit energy is focused and open to be drawn in, nudged, or pulled.

We're able to navigate through life's turbulence as we get to that place, our own unique jet stream, where the resistance is less, and we find peace. Empowered to cover distances in fractions of the time. And all of which is happening inside of us.

There is no physical evidence necessarily to demonstrate or to confirm what's happening unless we create it through our work.

But that's what I have experienced and continue to experience. Which draws me to places that allow me to plug in to that source.

Is it magic? No, it's not. It's available.

It's like you're looking for an outlet. They're all around us. But if you don't have the right connection, then you have nothing.

I'm always reminded of that when I go to Europe. I can't use my standard plugs from the US. It requires an adapter. And if you have it, you have access to power.

If you don't, you're screwed. You run out of gas, you lose power, your battery dies. Mentally, physically, spiritually.

But when you understand how to connect. Your battery may get a little low. Mentally and emotionally, there's doubt and fear that's like a weak battery. And then you find that source you can plug into to recharge.

Our mindset and attitude are the intangible connections that allow us to be present and plug in and be available. It allows us to feel and hear what that spirit voice is communicating to us that is unique to us.

And spending time alone is the exercise that helps to build that muscle, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We simply have to be intentional about engaging in that practice. Because, no one can do that work for us.

Then we also realize that there is no such thing as complete silence. Because the frequency of the sounds and sensations simply change. As we slowly and often unconsciously alter our state of being to be in total rhythm with that universal energy.

It's that place where the endorphins are flowing like a rapid and we're at total peace.

It's a wonderful sensation that requires only our awareness.