If you've ever found yourself circling again and again back to the same issue, conversation, grudge, or mistakes of the past—remember a circular motion takes you round and round, never forward. And it makes you dizzy!

Being stuck is nothing to hide your head in shame over. We've all been there. 

The pain is the process, and when you've had enough of that, a simple shift in perspective can set you free. 

Gordy Bal, entrepreneur, investor, and author of The New Millionaire's Playbook, recently shared that our focus was on our physical health in the first decade of the 2000s. There was an upsurge in workout programs, gyms, and videos that helped people get physical activity up and waistlines down.

In the 2010s, we saw increased awareness of mental wellbeing and programs. We heard from athletes who courageously shared the stress and emotional duress they were dealing with and the need to get help and take a break. Then, in the 2020s, we saw an uptick in the awareness and tools to improve our emotional wellbeing. We learned about the significant role stress and emotional management play in our ability to prevent illness and disease and to live a long, healthy, and happy life. In the 2030s, Bal declared the shift will be toward spirituality and our spiritual wellbeing. 

Yes to that! It is a spiritual focus and perspective that lifts us out of cycles of pain, resulting from the reliance we have on our five senses alone: what we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. That's body consciousness, leaving us short of our limitless reality and potential. 

A spiritual perspective will bring you the courage you need in the face of adversity, the compassion and empathy for yourself and others that is needed at the moment, and a new way of thinking through challenges and circumstances that will create a solution best for all. A spiritual perspective opens the mind to include the heart's input. Now you're able and willing to speak the words, take the actions, and make choices that heal, elevate, and transform.

It is becoming clear to many that the level of consciousness that has gotten us here will not take us where we need to go. This may remind you of the famous Einstein quote: "You cannot solve a problem with the same mind that created it."

Ego consciousness is born from fear and body consciousness alone. It keeps us circling back and forth, repeating the same mistakes, not taking risks, and living 

a life that doesn't align with what we value most.

Ego consciousness sources head brain activity alone which often leads to feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, angry, worried, scared, and exhausted. A shift to soul consciousness presents new opportunities as our hearts and minds align. Soul consciousness includes our heart's intelligence and intuitive guidance, which gives us clarity, calm, compassion, increased creativity, productivity, and renewal. 

Your whole self includes the soul. There is a spark of light within each of us, and living an authentic, values-based life empowers purpose, creativity, joy, and fulfillment. Soul-consciousness brings you light at the end of the tunnel (which is shortened) whenever you rise and embrace it. Soul consciousness puts you in the speed lane!

So, where do you begin to harness and sustain the power of soul consciousness and a spiritual perspective?

1.Self-awareness. Increasing self-awareness supports a meaningful, fulfilling, and joyful life. A 'heightened and loving awareness' of one's own flaws' is key to a well-lived and meaningful life. Along with increasing self-awareness comes heightened consciousness, less reactivity, and more compassion, plus love-infused words, choices, and actions. When you are aware of your strengths and flaws, you can appreciate (rather than envy) the strengths of others and have compassion (rather than judgment) for their flaws.   

How can you increase your self-awareness ongoing? 

A daily spiritual practice. Begin and end your day with a heart meditation. During the day, do acts of kindness. Pause to check in with yourself. Relieve any accumulating stress so that stress doesn't get the best of you. And, reconnect throughout the day with your heart's intelligence. 

I recommend and use the HeartMath® techniques—quick tools like Quick Coherence® and the Heart Lock-In. Spending time in nature each day, reading, studying, and learning are important pathways to a more connected and spiritual life. Do what your heart aligns with.

The connection with one's heart keeps us on a spiritual path. 

Another wonderful way to keep your heart in the game, moment by moment, is by taking just a couple of minutes several times a day to appreciate the person before you, the job you have, the food on the table, your kids, pets, home, and community. 

2. Certainty. Everything in your life is an opportunity for growth. So when bad stuff happens, instead of wasting time and energy with blame, resentment, and angst, ask yourself instead: Why is this in my movie? What am I to learn at this moment? This person, this conversation, this pain, this health crisis. What can I learn from this situation?

Your mind often only sees the problem. Your heart will always feel the solution. 

So, we quiet the mind to hear what the heart is telling us. We quiet the mind to stop interrupting people. We quiet the mind so that we can pause—before speaking, acting, and making a choice. We quiet the mind so we can listen deeply without a personal agenda. We quiet the mind to talk less and listen more. We quiet the mind to stay interested instead of interesting. We quiet the mind to seek understanding rather than being understood. 

Your potential is limitless when the heart opens, and the mind listens. The Universe always has your back and is always there to support your unlimited potential every step of the way. Keep asking the question: what am I to learn in this moment? Certainty is knowing all circumstances and challenges are gifts the Universe is providing you for your transformation, growth, and fulfillment.

3. Massive action. Action is required, and specifically, action infused with love. 

Deepak Chopra put it this way: "Love without action is irrelevant. Action without love is meaningless.”

A growing self-awareness doesn't just happen. It requires work that includes self-compassion and self-love—not always easy, and you are worth it!

Manifesting the life of your dreams doesn't just happen by thinking about it. It requires staying true to your authentic self and acting in accordance with it. Fulfilling work and relationships don't just happen. They take setting intentions to honor yours and everybody else's whole self. Parenting, not just some days; all days require care and attention daily. 

Some days will be better and easier than others. When you are struggling, remember the struggle is a sign to do some work. Acknowledge the pain. Share it, if that helps, with someone who will listen and be there for you. Ask the questions: What am I to learn? Why is this in my movie? Own it, name it, take responsibility, and ask your heart for guidance. 

Work is a gift you give yourself; you get to give it to those people and things you love. Make it easy on yourself, and appreciate it. Infuse your actions with love and you'll lessen the load.

4. Commitment. For growth and transformation, commitment is essential. 

With 100% commitment to your growth and transformation, you are less likely to fall prey to ego consciousness. Just like relationships, your job, and parenting, commitment is key to success.

So make a commitment and renew it daily with the other actions on this short list and say goodbye to ego and hello to the light that shines within.

While we're still a few years away from the 2030s, and spirituality may not be on everyone's radar, it is clearly on yours. There is no better time to become the whole person you are than right now.  

Soul consciousness will take you and those you love to higher ground. We may not get to the mountaintop, and, seekers will always be rewarded with a better, bigger, and brighter view. 

For more information about the HeartMath tools cited above, see my new RISE Course, Level UP 1—De-stressed and Heart-Powered at https://laurielevin.online/level-up-courses. You’ll learn five core HeartMath techniques for a heart-powered life, the first level in elevating one's consciousness, growth, and transformation.