JUMPSTARTING A SPIRITUAL REBIRTH THROUGH TRAVEL I’ve had many rebirths in my life. There is no easy way to say it. Transformation is a painful and important part of life, and it’s not something you’re supposed to do just once. To ascend spiritually and ascend to your perfect energetic vibration, many deaths and rebirths are necessary.
THE FIRST DEATH Travel was the beginning of my first death. It killed everything I thought I ever knew. Languages, customs, food, music, mannerisms, humor. These are all levels of culture we must navigate as travelers, and, in turn, we also end up navigating other cultures while defining ourselves and our spirituality. After studying abroad, I came back home and graduated from college. I felt alienated by my own home. I had changed so much and yet everyone around me was exactly the same. I could no longer relate to my childhood friends and my family felt more distant than ever. The inner turmoil we experience can feel extremely uncomfortable. It is in those moments that spirit calls on us to assess our reality. My energy had shifted immensely due to experiences, both good and bad, challenging my views of self, community, and morals. I had two choices: stifle and swallow my shift, or become more open and lean into it. I chose to lean in, although many trials and tribulations followed.
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During this time, I was abused by my partner as well as being oppressed by a toxic workplace. I was a high school language teacher, and after twelve years, I quit, feeling disconnected and disrespected in many ways. This was an emotional and spiritual death. I had to let go of my entire identity and profession, physical and mental bruises, and the life I thought I was going to be able to live. The transformation and rebirth that followed is something I am still trying to comprehend. Once I started taking care of my body, mind, and soul, everything shifted.
THE GREAT SHIFT So, how can we begin to shift when we don’t know where to start? This answer will be different for everyone, but there are a few core principles that apply across the board. First, make room. Eliminate things from your life that are no longer aligned with the person you want to be. Energy sucking friend or partner? Cut them off. Toxic job? Make a plan to quit safely. Limiting beliefs? Work on reducing those as much as possible. These things take time, so be patient and love yourself. Spiritual ascension also requires deep self care and ritualistic practices. There are so many things to choose from that the possibilities are endless. Journaling, yoga, breath work, tarot or oracle cards, meditation, cleansings…the list goes on. Find what resonates with you and aim to insert these practices in your daily or weekly life.
