It’s amazing how often I’m in conversation with people who are enthusiastic about their spiritual path and teachings. They get so excited discussing how we’re divine beings, how everyone is one, and how many great organizations are lifting the consciousness of the world today. And as long as the conversation stays on the intellectual/conceptual level, everyone’s happy and in agreement. That is until something comes up that challenges their old programmed beliefs.

Inevitably a situation comes up where it is clear that these conversations are simply concepts, ideas that appeal to our ego’s sense of self-importance, that we are “cool” and enlightened beings. For example, discussion may come around to being employed at a job that is not fulfilling. Instead of hearing how the person has gratitude for the impetus to leave and move onto something more challenging and creative, I might be hearing how their co-workers are unappreciative and unpleasant and how they are unfortunately stuck in their job with these irritating people.

Now, how can we ever say we are stuck in any situation if we truly believe we are divine beings? If we say we are stuck, aren’t we saying we’re being victimized by our finances or lack of ability to see other options in life? If we cannot leave, isn’t that because we don’t have enough faith in ourselves to try something new, or that we don’t have faith that we can find another job that can replace our income? Perhaps we’re even blaming our inability to change jobs on other people or circumstances in our lives? Isn’t it time we move those wonderful spiritual concepts and ideas into action in our lives, rather than leaving them to animated dinner conversations? Either you know yourself as “I am and I can do it” or you know yourself as “I am not and I cannot do it.” You cannot be in two places at the same time. So in any moment in your life you are either living the truth or living a lie. The question is: In any moment – do you have the awareness to hear what you are saying to yourself and others – or are you blindly following the voice in your head that is telling you what you cannot do while giving you all the justifications and reasons to support those lies?

Unfortunately, I cannot answer that question for you. It takes real self-honesty and disciplined journaling so that you can see your lies in writing in front of your face. Yes, it’s wonderful to have such enlightened beliefs, but unless you put them into action they’re simply a bunch of lovely concepts that your ego-mind has collected to make it even more powerful. I encourage you to take a moment to see the truth of this strategy so that in the future you don’t allow yourself to fall prey to this kind of thinking. I happen to know that you can do it because I know I can do it and we are one and we are divine. Next time, “I am not and I cannot do it” comes out of your mouth don’t believe yourself. Call a friend that does not have the same mental limitations as you and allow them to assist you in seeing the all the possibilities that life is sharing with you.

Sheri Rosenthal DPM is a master Toltec teacher and author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Toltec Wisdom and Banish Mind Spam!. Having trained with don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements®, she currently takes students on spiritual journeys www.journeysofthespirit.com works with personal apprentices and enjoys being extremely happy. You can reach her at info@sherirosenthal.com or www.sherirosenthal.com and www.withforgiveness.com.