Gratitude Is Not Exclusive to God — Have Gratitude for Yourself

Gratitude is often taught as something we should give to God, the universe, your ancestors, or a higher power—and rightfully so. But what’s rarely talked about is the importance of having gratitude for yourself.

Many people view God as something entirely separate from themselves. So when we say, “Be grateful to God,” it can unintentionally leave you—the one doing the hard work—out of the equation. But ask yourself: If you believe you are separate from God, where did you come from? If you believe you're made in divine image or created with purpose, then doesn’t it follow that you carry a piece of that divinity within you?

This is why self-gratitude matters.

You are the one who wakes up every day and keeps going, even when life is heavy. You are the one who’s fought through dark moments, stood up when it was easier to fall, and kept showing up for yourself. That’s not just something to overlook—it’s something to honor.

Gratitude for yourself doesn’t mean abandoning your faith or ego-tripping. It means recognizing your effort, your strength, your growth. It means saying, “I’m proud of me,” without guilt.

When you start thanking yourself, you also begin healing the parts of you that felt unseen or unworthy. You build trust with yourself. You become your own safe space.

So yes—have gratitude for God, the universe, or whatever you believe in. But don’t forget to thank the person who’s carried you through every storm: you.

You deserve your own appreciation.

Turn Your Awareness Into Power

There’s no greater way to transform your life than reclaiming your power from the situations that drained you. Often, the first people who take our power are those closest to us—family, partners, even friends. They say they love us, yet sometimes, knowingly or not, they leave us feeling depleted and lost. It becomes a cycle we remain stuck in—unless we decide to break it.

Healing begins when we choose to turn our pain into purpose. That purpose doesn’t have to be grand—it can simply be the decision to want more for yourself. To choose peace. To choose growth.

So many of us give endlessly to others, unaware that we’re pouring from an empty cup. Reclaiming your power means redirecting that energy inward. It's not selfish—it's survival. Start small. Choose yourself, even when it’s hard. That choice is where real transformation begins.

Healing starts with awareness. You have to recognize where your energy is going and who or what is draining it. Be honest with yourself about how certain people, environments, or habits have made you feel small or powerless. Awareness isn't always comfortable, but it's necessary.

Next comes boundaries. Once you see the patterns, you must protect your peace. Boundaries aren't about shutting people out—they’re about keeping yourself safe. Say no when you need to. Take space. Choose who gets access to you and how much. It's not rude—it's self-respect.

As you practice this, have grace for yourself. Life isn’t easy, and healing isn’t linear. You’ll have good days and setbacks. That’s normal. Be patient with your process. Growth doesn’t happen all at once—but it does happen when you stay committed.

That’s where consistency comes in. Keep showing up for yourself. The more you honor your needs, the more you reclaim your power—and your peace.

This path is yours. And it leads to a life where you no longer just survive—but thrive.

Psychosis: Are you really going crazy?

Spiritual awakenings are often described as beautiful, enlightening experiences—but the reality can feel far more chaotic, even terrifying. Many people report feeling like they’re “going crazy” during their awakening. And for good reason: awakening at the soul level shakes the very foundation of everything you thought you knew—about yourself, your family, society, and the world around you.

Suddenly, all the unspoken dysfunction in your family becomes glaringly obvious. You begin to question societal systems that once seemed normal—school, religion, government, gender roles, and more. This unraveling is often deeply isolating, because the moment you begin to speak on these realizations, people may look at you like you’re the problem. You’re not validated, and worse—you’re dismissed. That lack of external support only deepens the internal chaos.

What many are experiencing in these moments isn’t psychosis in the clinical sense—it’s a spiritual crisis. A reality collapse. A dismantling of everything the ego relied on for stability. But it can feel like psychosis because your mind is grasping to find something solid to hold onto, and when there’s nothing… it spirals.

For those raised in religious systems, the shift to spiritual beliefs can be especially disorienting. Many people find themselves questioning the fear-based teachings they grew up with—especially ideas around demons, hell, or punishment for seeking truth outside of doctrine. Even when you consciously reject those beliefs, your subconscious may still react with fear. Believing you’re being attacked by a demon when your third eye opens isn’t uncommon—it’s often your mind trying to categorize what it doesn't understand through old frameworks.

It’s important to say: none of this replaces therapy. In fact, grounding yourself through therapy, somatic work, or trauma-informed support is vital. Mental health and spiritual health aren’t separate—they work together. When we’re too high up in our top chakras (crown, third eye, and throat), we become ungrounded. We disconnect from our bodies, our routines, and even our ability to discern what’s real and what’s not. That’s when things can become dangerous.

Grounding is key. Awakening is not about escaping the human experience—it’s about integrating your higher awareness into the human experience. Practices like meditation, nature walks, breathwork, body movement, eating nourishing foods, and even journaling can help bring you back down into your body and reality.

Also, be careful with what content you're consuming. During awakening, your mind is highly suggestible. Overexposure to conspiracy theories, unfiltered “spiritual” advice, or fear-based narratives can increase paranoia and anxiety. Protect your energy and your mind.

If you're going through this, you're not broken. You’re not crazy. You’re waking up—and it’s messy. But it’s also powerful.

Seek support. Ground your energy. Stay curious, not fearful.

Healing and clarity come in waves—but they do come.

Ego Lives in Every Community — Even Spirituality

One of the biggest misconceptions about spirituality is that it’s somehow free from ego. Many believe that once you start meditating, practicing mindfulness, or diving into spiritual teachings, the ego magically dissolves. But the truth is, ego doesn’t disappear—it transforms. It hides behind phrases like “love and light,” superiority, or the belief that one’s spiritual path is the only true path.

Ego in spiritual spaces can be subtle but powerful. It may show up as a need to appear more “enlightened” than others, or to judge those who aren’t as far along the path. It can look like gatekeeping: insisting that only certain practices or teachers are valid, or that others are “not ready” for the truth. Even well-meaning spiritual leaders can fall into this trap, using their status to boost their sense of self rather than to serve others.

This spiritual ego can create division rather than unity. Instead of fostering growth, it can breed competition, comparison, and isolation. People might feel pressure to hide their doubts or struggles for fear of being seen as “less spiritual.” This only reinforces the ego’s grip, because true healing requires vulnerability and honesty.

Understanding that ego lives in spirituality doesn’t mean rejecting the path. On the contrary, it means developing greater awareness. True spirituality isn’t about bypassing or defeating the ego; it’s about recognizing it when it shows up—in all its disguises—and gently bringing it back into balance.

One of the most effective ways to do this is through humility and self-reflection. Ask yourself: Am I seeking spiritual growth to genuinely heal and expand, or to prove something to myself or others? Am I open to perspectives different from mine, or do I cling tightly to my beliefs to protect my identity?

Practicing compassion—toward yourself and others—is also key. Everyone is on their own journey, with different lessons and timelines. The ego thrives on judgment and comparison, but compassion softens those walls and opens space for connection.

Finally, grounding yourself is crucial. Spiritual ego often flourishes when we get “lost in our heads” or disconnected from our bodies. Regular practices like meditation, spending time in nature, mindful movement, or creative expression help balance spiritual insight with lived experience.

Remember: spirituality is a path of integration, not separation. It invites us to embrace all parts of ourselves—light and shadow, ego and soul. When ego arises, see it as a teacher, not an enemy. Welcome it with curiosity and kindness, and use the awareness to deepen your practice.

In every community—no matter how enlightened or sacred—ego is present. Your growth lies not in escaping it, but in learning how to dance with it gracefully.

Food for Thought: Guided Questions for Reflection

• When was the last time I felt the need to prove I’m “more spiritual” than someone else? What was driving that feeling?

• Do I find myself judging others on their spiritual path? How might that judgment be protecting my ego?

• How do I respond when someone challenges my beliefs? Do I listen openly or get defensive?

• In what ways might I be using spirituality to avoid uncomfortable emotions or real-life responsibilities?

• How connected do I feel to my body and daily life? What practices help me stay grounded?

• Can I invite compassion and curiosity into moments when my ego feels threatened?

Take your time with these questions—they’re not about judgment, but about gently uncovering deeper truths within yourself.