What Does It Mean To Start A Spiritual Journey & How To Answer The Call

 It's Been Calling You & Now You're Ready To Answer

Starting a spiritual journey typically means embarking on a path of self-discovery, growth, and a deeper understanding of oneself and the universe. It often involves seeking a connection with something greater than oneself, whether that be a higher power, the cosmos, or a deeper inner wisdom. The journey is highly personal and can vary greatly from person to person. 

For me, my spiritual journey started from a deeper need to understand myself.  I was a teen mom the beginning of my journey started once I left the relationship behind and couldn't stop thinking about all of the dreams and spiritual things that were happening around me while I was with my children's dad. The very first dream I had about him, was right after my first doctor's appointment. I can remember it like it was yesterday and everything that happened after that dream only cosigned the fact that it was not,  "just" a dream. No, it was a message from something bigger than me that I had not yet been taught about at this point in my life. Ironically my mom was a dreamer. And she had very prophetic dreams, from seeing Jesus pick her up out of her bed, to evil rabbits hopping thorough our house, and seeing her best friend at the time turn into a demon. She didn't share every dream but these are a couple that I remember from my childhood. So it is of no coincidence, that as I became older that my dreams became a higher interest for me as well.

Anyhow this first dream, was of my children's' dad. This was prior to us putting down on a home, that his dad cosigned for us and we were waiting for everything to be built. In the dream it was freezing cold, snow draped the ground and the trees were naked covered in ice. At this time, I had not yet given birth, nor did I know the gender of my child. However in the dream, I had a little boy, about 2 months old. I can still remember in the dream, watching the condensation of my breath as I walked down a snow filled sidewalk carrying my baby. In my dream my son had on a black one-piece puffer coat and a tiny toboggan on his head. I could see his little fist balled up as it pressed against my chest as we grew closer to his dad. In the dream his dad was antsy, moving around nervously and talking really fast. What he didn't know is that he had a small pile of powdery white substance against the right side of his nose, and his nostrils were blazing red and so I asked, "what is that on your nose?" He quickly swiped it away with one hand responding with only, what stuff? and a dumbfounded look on his face.  In his eyes, I could see that he wasn't there, he was merely a wrapping of the person I believed I knew. I was not well versed in substance abuse as it wasn't something I had close experiences with growing up. I knew about drugs, that they existed, of course, we learned about these things in school, but not in a way that I could personally  identify what it was without asking around.

However in this dream, I knew.... and that's the thing about dreams, it's like you always know things you shouldn't know! Even languages, but I'll talk about that in a separate post. This was a warning dream that there was something about him that I didn't know and that he was hiding from me at the time. He grew up with his dad in his life, but raised by his grandmother on his mom's side. He had a firm foundation as far as home life, but what a child feels like they aren't getting at home, they'll find it in other places. Maybe he wanted to belong, I can't answer that question nor is this a post of judgement, it's my own truth about my experiences only.

To make a long story short, little by little this side of him that was once hidden to me became evident, he even had friends who were secretly trying to warn me of his hidden activities. His grandmother, who was Indigenous American, very well known for given psychic readings and she didn't need cards, just like most people who use tarot, but used them as a professional service out of her home, also would tell him that one day I would be leaving him based on things he kept hidden and he would come home, full of tears and upset. But when you don't know how Spirit speaks to you, you question it, always looking for proof. These are the types of situations that teach you how to listen to your first mind, the first sign and to trust Spirit when you're being spoken to!

I won't bore you with my stories, at least not in this post. My goal instead is to offer some tips when starting your spiritual journey concerning, what to do to be an assistant to yourself as you walk this road, that can help heighten your awareness as you seek God within you.

Here are some steps that many find helpful in becoming more enlightened:

1. Self-Reflection

• Journaling: Regularly write down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
• Meditation: Spend time in quiet reflection to understand your inner self better.

2. Education and Learning

• Read Spiritual Texts: Explore religious or spiritual texts that resonate with you.
• Seek Guidance: Learn from spiritual teachers, mentors, or communities.

3. Mindfulness and Presence

• Practice Mindfulness: Focus on being present in the moment through practices like mindful breathing or walking.
• Stay in the Moment: Try to not get caught up on the next step, the next lesson or gaining more knowledge, remember you are in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing to get you your rightful position. Your walk is NOT a competition with others.

4. Connection with Nature

• Spend Time Outdoors: Engage with nature to find peace and a sense of connection. Nature will become one of your greatest teachers.
• Eco-Spirituality: Develop a deeper respect and understanding of the natural world. Turn the tv and phone off once and a while or do a detox in this area of your life.

5. Service and Compassion

• Volunteer: Offer your time and resources to help others. But don't get too caught up in others that you forget that you are too, still on a journey until you leave this world. You can't service others if you don't first service yourself
• Practice Kindness: Develop compassion and empathy towards others. Understand that we are all on the same walk just in different places of our journey. It doesn't make you or someone else better or more knowledgeable except in their own individual walk. The Ego tends to grab people in this area.

6. Healthy Lifestyle

• Balanced Diet: Eat nourishing foods that support your physical and mental well-being.
• Exercise: Maintain a healthy body through regular physical activity.

7. Spiritual Practices

• Prayer: Engage in regular prayer if it aligns with your beliefs.
• Rituals: Develop personal or communal rituals that bring meaning to your life.

8. Community and Connection

• Join Groups: Participate in spiritual or religious communities.
• Share Experiences: Discuss your journey with like-minded individuals.

9. Continuous Growth

• Set Intentions: Regularly set and revisit your spiritual goals.
• Stay Open: Be open to new experiences, ideas, and insights.

10. Inner Peace and Acceptance

• Forgiveness: Practice forgiveness towards yourself and others.
• Acceptance: Learn to accept things as they are and find peace within.

Personalizing Your Journey

It's essential to remember that your spiritual journey is unique to you. What works for one person might not work for another. Explore various practices and see what resonates most with you. Your path to enlightenment will be a deeply personal and evolving experience.