You are never alone.

We all have at least one SPIRIT GUIDE – Invisible helpers who can guide, inspire and help us every single day.

* They can nudge you toward the right people and opportunities

* Offer insights with relationships and work

* Inspire you with ideas for creativity and help you expand your inner gifts

* Bring peace, calm and a better sense of direction when life feels uncertain

For over 40 years, I’ve worked with Spirit Guides – and I can tell you, building a relationship with them changes everything.

Learn

So, what is the point of living?
Why were you born?

There has to be a simple answer that later becomes complicated—just like everything else.
The simple answer is this: you came to planet Earth to learn.

Another way to say it is that you came to be involved with life.

That’s the simple part. Then it gets complicated.

You came to learn how to think for yourself, rather than doing what everyone tells you to do.
You came to make mistakes and learn from them—not to keep repeating the same dumb decisions over and over.
You came to learn Who am I?
You came to learn What do I want?
You came to learn What do I want to be when I grow up?
You even came to learn how to die.

That’s a lot of learning. How are you doing with all that?

You also came to learn how to read, write, and speak, so you can share your wisdom with others—maybe forever.
You came to learn certain lessons that are uniquely yours and, in doing so, become a star in your own way or a particular kind of success.
You came to live your life in your own unique style—not to copy anyone or compete with anyone, but simply to be yourself.
You came to learn how to live within the society of planet Earth and enjoy every moment of it.
You came to learn how to remember where you came from and where you are going, and to never be afraid to try anything.
You came to learn about love—what it is, how to be it, and how to never feel lonely.
You came to learn about friendship and integrity, and how not to be a dick.
You came to learn how to be in the right place at the right time—to be lucky and fortunate.
You came to learn how to trust your first impression, if you can figure out which one was actually the first.

That’s a lot of learning.

If you think of planet Earth as a school—and it is—then this is the curriculum. You get to choose the lessons you study:

• Learn

• Be involved

• Improve — yourself

• Clarify

• Believe

Each of these words must be defined by you. Ask yourself:

• What did I come to planet Earth to learn?

• What did I come to planet Earth to be involved in?

• What can I improve in myself?

• What do I need to clarify?

• What do I really believe about myself and the world I live in?

This is a good start.
The simple answer—learn—wants to become complicated.
But it must remain simple.

Tomas Burke
www.spiritual-pilgrim.com

When you work with people, they tend to fall into recognizable categories. They are usually one of the following:

• Apprentice — 50/50

• Opportunist — Steals the pie

• Associate — Teamwork

• Rebel / Maverick — Wrong time, wrong place

• Other — Who knows?

The Apprentice

The Apprentice represents a healthy 50/50 relationship. You learn from them, and they learn from you. A great deal gets accomplished, and everyone prospers. Even people outside the project benefit from the positive energy created by shared success.

This kind of relationship grows naturally and healthily, and the fruit is sweet when it matures. Mutual stimulation and friendly competition ensure learning, growth, and enjoyment.

The Opportunist

The Opportunist is a different story. This is someone looking to take advantage. They want to steal the pie off the windowsill, run away and eat it, then come back looking for another pie.

This is an out-of-balance narcissist. They are interested only in their own selfish gain. They rarely change until they hit rock bottom, and even then it often takes something close to a miracle.

You may feel compelled to help them, but it is usually a waste of time. They are a one-way street called Gimme.
The best approach is distance. If circumstances force you to deal with this type, you must set and maintain strong buffers and solid boundaries. They look for low-hanging fruit. All you can really do is deflect their greed toward an easier target and allow them to learn their lesson.

The Associate

The Associate is a good teammate. The energy is relaxed and balanced—equals pulling in the same direction, like a team of workhorses. The work flows easily toward completion, and you simply get along.

An Associate relationship grows from clear planning, established boundaries, and mutual respect. Each person brings different strengths that complement one another, allowing the task to be completed efficiently.

Both parties benefit and are willing to work together again. An Associate often becomes a good friend.

The Rebel / Maverick

Then there is the Rebel or Maverick. Like the Opportunist, they bring trouble—but of a different kind. The Opportunist wants to eat the pie; the Rebel wants to destroy the pie so no one can have it. The Maverick, untamed, simply wants chaos and thrives on confusion.

These types are not always recognized until it is too late. Then you are left with a major cleanup, which may become ongoing if they return—as some friends do.

No matter what boundaries you set, they find a way to break the fence and trample the garden. Often they feign helpfulness or helplessness, only to act at the critical moment.

If your policy is live and let live, your choices are limited: constant surveillance, which only delays the damage, or repeated cleanup until they finally move on.

These people crave attention. As children, they got it by throwing tantrums. As adults, they get it by creating messes. The less attention you give them, the more likely they are to seek it elsewhere.

In Summary

Apprentices and Associates are the people to work with. For everyone in your circle, check inwardly—or with guidance—about which category they belong to. If they don’t clearly fit one of these four or five, then they fall into Other.

And that is another story.

To be continued…

Tomas Burke
www.spiritual-pilgrim.com