Tracking my spiritual progress is a way of measuring my success during my soul’s brief period on 
earth. In fact, it’s vital to my overall happiness. How do you do that?
I recently took stock of my progress. And I had a big surprise.
In years past, I could measure my progress by the number and quality of spiritual books I was reading, the spiritual themes I was contemplating, the good feelings I was experiencing from the high vibration, and the number of discoveries I was having.
But in my recent evaluation, I realized that I rarely read spiritual books anymore. I’d love to find them and get the great feeling I used to have in discovering an author’s higher state of consciousness, awakening mine further. And I’d love to have the surge of energy and lift that comes from another’s inspiration.
However, I discovered the measurement of my progress has changed in the last couple years. Something had replaced the old way of measuring my spiritual progress. I set out to discover a new way of taking stock of my progress.
Let me pause to say that, in my entire life, I have never experienced so much vast change, as I am sure you have as well. Change has permeated our lives and it’s in everything, including the way we measure our overall success.
Now, rather than measuring my success by contemplating highly vibrated spiritual themes (i.e. ways of healing, blessing, elevating, empowering), I look back, instead to see where my greatest struggles have been. Which relationships have given me my greatest growth? And how am I doing?
I’ve discovered that all my progress is now measured in terms of being kind.
In relationship to myself, I think I’ve been kinder. I’ve, at times, been appalled at how hard I’ve been on myself, and I’ve taken stronger measures to cancel guilt and forgive myself for disappointing myself. I’ve recognized times I’ve needed to ease up and love myself instead. I’ve learned that whenever I hold myself to the world’s standard of measuring success – in terms of outcomes of money, being more socially outgoing, successful career – I get the feeling that there’s never enough. So I try to drop that measurement whenever I become aware of it. Those aren’t important to my progress.
My biggest recent discovery on how to measure my progress has come from listening to my heart and seeing what it wants. Over and over, I discover that my heart’s desire is simple. It wants to act with greater kindness. Kindness can be expressed in a million ways including empathy, consideration, thoughtfulness, listening, forgiveness, and a position of softness & gentleness towards others. That’s what is most important to me these days. I want to be kind. Now everything in my life that’s important to my progress is measured by kindness.
I’ve noticed times when I wish I had been kinder and how hard I take it that I lost the opportunity. I really want to fulfill my soul’s desire to be kind consistently. It’s hard to remember when I’m in a hurry and I’ve been standing in line, waiting for someone in front of me to solve their long term problem before I can take my turn! I want to remember to be kind on the spot rather than getting into the car afterward, reflecting on how impatient I felt and the judgment I had on another person. Ouch.
I love myself when I become aware in the moment and act with kindness. It’s hard to do. I also love myself when I become aware of an area where I’m being triggered to react and, instead, I catch myself and think through a new, kinder response.
You know those areas that get you upset, that make you feel angry or frustrated or hurt. That’s where your greatest progress lies. Taking time to reflect on how you can navigate through these areas and process the emotions in order to be your highest self is a benchmark of sure progress. It’s what makes your life meaningful, gives you the feeling of worth and value, and causes you to walk tall knowing that you are making a difference.
I wish your heart kindness. You deserve it.
Share your thoughts with me on my Facebook Page. I’d love to hear from you!
