The Six Thresholds We Cross on the Way to Doing Our Soul Work
A small peek at what we might encounter when we decide to share our gifts
I’ve been doing daily morning spiritual practices for around fifteen years. Often these practices include daily writing or morning pages, as Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist’s Way, calls them. Here’s her description for those that don’t know about morning pages.
“Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing,
done first thing in the morning. *There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages*–
they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about
anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes
only. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and
synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put
three pages of anything on the page...and then do three more pages tomorrow.”
Sometimes these writing practices are simply diary-style writing about what I’m thinking and feeling, and what’s unfolding in my life. They’re a great tool for self-reflection—seeing what’s been hanging out inside of me illuminated by being in front of me on the page.
Sometimes there are gems lying in the midst of the words.
Gifts from my Muse.
Offerings from my Higher Self.
Ways of putting together seemingly random ideas into an ordered flow.
I was reading over some of the writing from my morning pages recently and found a gem buried in some of the writing about how there are thresholds that we cross when we’re moving toward our soul work and sharing our gifts with the world.
This idea was hanging out in the ethers, and then, as large concepts often do, it clicked into place as I was writing one morning. The work I do offers me a view into peoples’ life journeys, which then, over time, allowed me to gather little bits and pieces about the process. What emerged from that were six thresholds that those desiring to share their creative, healing and spiritual gifts need to cross through to be able stand in their power and make an offering of their gifts.
Here are the six thresholds that were given to me during that writing practice.
The first threshold is self doubt. This includes fear of failure, fear of success, lack of confidence, imposter syndrome, stage fright, etc.
The second threshold is the backlash of others. Those close to us may react to our decision to share our gifts with jealousy, judgment, criticism, blame, shame, rejection, withdrawal, etc.
The third threshold is overwhelm and sabotage. This includes not having balance, feeling like there’s no time, busyness, being disorganized, forgetting appointments, letting people down, not doing enough self care, losing one’s connection with self, etc.
The fourth threshold is disillusionment. This is about having to shift from one’s fantasy about how things would be to a more sober, realistic and grounded viewpoint.
The fifth threshold is building a structure. This includes putting systems and routines and support services in place so that things run smoothly.
The sixth threshold is finding a rhythm. This allows for growth, evolution, pivoting, experimenting, exploring and creating.
Since life isn’t linear, we may move through each of these a number of times, not in any specific order. Personally, when I expand what I’m sharing or try a new or different way of sharing my gifts, I often revisit one or more of these thresholds. Sometimes I move through them quickly, and other times I find that I need to linger to explore some of the stuff that’s been churned up (usually some kind of fear or self-doubt).
Coming “out of the closet” and expressing who we are, being seen and sharing our gifts is extremely vulnerable, especially when we’ve worked really hard to hide those gifts, keeping them stowed away in the background of our lives. Once we allow ourselves to be seen as we really are, there is a risk of rejection, judgment, failure and so on. If you’re highly sensitive and empathic, this can feel daunting, and at times, impossible. This is why it’s essential to surround ourselves with kindred souls who are in various stages of authentically sharing their gifts. That support can hold us, sustain us and make us much braver and more accountable than if we try to power through the process solo.
From the viewpoint of our souls, life is about change, growth and evolution.
New experiences.
New viewpoints.
New ways of being.
Our human selves don’t always like this and often put up resistance, preferring instead the cozy comfort zone of the familiar and the known. Lots of excuses and distractions show up in that place, giving us an easy out and delay us from moving forward. What I’ve discovered along the way is that we can bypass that resistance by taking small or even micro steps in the direction of our dream to share our gifts. As long as we’re pointed in that direction, it doesn’t matter how small the steps we take are, because the momentum of those steps will build over time, inspiring us to keep going.
Slow and steady.
No rush or struggle or strain.
Moving forward is about stepping into the flow and allowing that flow to carry us like a river. It’s fun to be sharing and enjoying that journey with others because we can check in with each other, and when any of us gets stuck, the others can help get us moving again.
Finally, when moving through these thresholds, it’s important to rest. This is grounding, and it allows us to process and integrate our experiences. Good, nourishing, life-affirming rest restores us and offers us the opportunity to give to ourselves. Finding the balance between giving and receiving is a necessary part of the journey because we cannot share what we don’t have.
The best part is that sharing our gifts means that we’re giving ourselves permission to be and be seen and loved as we truly are. No more hiding or pretending to be someone we’re not.
We’re free. The masks are off. The inner turmoil has quieted.
What could be better than that?
P.S. I highly recommend morning pages. You’ll learn and discover many things about yourself, your life and what you’re holding, feeling, thinking, envisioning, desiring, resisting inside of you. It’s such a relief to dump all of that onto the page so you can see it, inspect it, honor it and learn from it. Plus, a gem may fall out here and there, bringing clarity and wisdom with it, and you might even feel inspired to share it with others.
I’d love to know where you are with coming out of the closet and allowing yourself to be seen sharing your gifts. Please share your experiences in the comments.
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This post has been saved in my inbox to really sit with and read. I have to say this completely and utterly captures my experience of beginning to share my soul gifts with others. I am moving in and out of each of these thresholds. As a very sensitive and empathic person, I find this to be a slow and delicate process. I so deeply appreciate your insight. I feel like you are a kindred spirit :)