An Invitation To Awareness

By: Irene Kowalchuk, RScP

We might gently ask, “Where do I keep returning that causes me pain or leaves me hurt?”

Healing doesn’t necessarily mean becoming someone new. Sometimes it means becoming more aware of what no longer serves us.

Could the doctor’s advice have a deeper message: the recognition that we have choices? Maybe it’s time to stop going to the same place, and choose to deepen our self-awareness, compassion and a growing respect for the life that’s already within us.

Spirituality is partly the practice of noticing and becoming more intentional about the direction we choose.

A supportive spiritual community can become a place where we feel safe enough to be honest and discover that change doesn’t have to happen alone. It helps us see what we may not recognize on our own. With compassion and a different perspective, we can support one another in recognizing old patterns and discovering new possibilities.

Community does not mean that someone else changes us. Rather, it provides encouragement, perspective, accountability, and a sense of belonging, as we continue to choose for ourselves.