I recently finished reading a book that my coach (yes coaches have coaches too!) gave me called Loyalty To Your Soul: The Heart of Spiritual Psychology by H. Ronald Hulnick, Ph.D. and Mary R. Hulnick, Ph.D. and it's completely transformed the way I think about the colorful tapestry that makes up each of our journeys here on Earth. I'd like to share a few concepts from the book that have deepened my ability to access greater clarity, awareness, and perspective.
What if we embraced the idea that we are not human beings with souls, but rather we are souls, having a human experience? And, it just so happens that we’re having this textured human experience on a place called Earth, or more specifically, Earth School.
What if nothing that happens here on Earth and in Earth School is simple happening to us, but rather is happening for us? Each experience, whether joyful, painful, shameful, relieving, disappointing, hopeful, or freeing, offers an opportunity for learning and growth. An opportunity to learn something about ourselves, challenge our assumptions, or expand the way we see the world.
And what if each of us has our own unique curriculum in Earth School? A curriculum that has been specifically designed for each of us—to meet us where we are on our journey and invite us to grow in ways that are meaningful to us.
Each of our curricula is unique, because we each have our own lessons to learn, challenges to navigate, and opportunities to grow. What I need to learn, and what you need to learn may differ. Or, it may be the same lesson in the end, but because each of us learns in different ways, we are served up different experiences in the classroom of Earth.
If we haven't quite learned what an experience has to teach us, Earth School adjusts its lesson plan accordingly to offer up the same lesson in a new way. It may be that we consider certain experiences incredibly painful, challenging, or difficult. What if we embraced the idea that each of these experiences is part of our unique journey, designed solely for us? We may never understand why our journey is our journey. But we can embrace that it is simply a part of our Earth School curriculum.
There is no failure in Earth School. There is only the repeated opportunity to learn. And everyone has the potential, resources, and destiny to “graduate.”
On the heels of Earth Day, as we reflect on and connect with our beautiful planet, take a few moments to consider:
What is it that I am learning at Earth School?
Where do I need more support?
In what ways am I growing?
What am I experiencing right now?
What can I experience more fully?
Where can I be more curious?
Where am I stuck?
What have I outgrown?
What can I accept?
What can I let go of?
Is it possible that I am missing signals?
What else is possible?
If unresolved issues are a part of my spiritual curriculum, then…
Where can I be more open?
As leaders, these questions are just as relevant in our professional lives as they are in our personal ones. The ability to pause, reflect, challenge our assumptions, and remain open to learning is at the heart of concious leadership.
Be still. Listen. Get curious about what your Earth School curriculum might be offering you. And experience fully what life is serving up to you, today and every day.
If you're ready to deepen your self-awareness, expand your perspective, and strengthen the human skills that make leadership more effective, I’d encourage you to explore The Leadership Experience.
Through an immersive, experiential program grounded in emotional intelligence, neuroscience, and practical skill-building, you'll gain tools to better understand yourself and others, shift unproductive mindsets, navigate challenges, and lead with greater clarity, confidence, and intention.
Mindfully yours,
Ashley