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Hello everyone, and welcome back to Awakening the Divine Within. Over these first few episodes, we’ve been talking about what I call The Great Forgetting—the loss of our awareness of who we really are as spiritual beings. We’ve talked about the emptiness so many people feel inside. We’ve looked at the spiritual crisis behind many of the problems we see in society. We’ve talked about humanity forgetting its divine nature. And in our last episode, we explored why we so often search outside ourselves for something that ultimately has to be discovered within. Today I want to bring all of those ideas together by talking about something I believe exists in every human being. I call it the hidden hunger of the soul. Have you ever had the experience of knowing that something was missing from your life—but you couldn’t quite identify what it was? Maybe everything was going reasonably well. You had people who loved you. You had a home. You had work to do. Maybe you had achieved some of the things you once believed would make you happy. And yet, somewhere beneath the surface, there was still this feeling: There has to be more. I think most of us experience that feeling at some point in our lives. And our first reaction is usually to assume that something in our outer life needs to change. Maybe I need a different job. Maybe I need more money. Maybe I need a relationship. Maybe I need to travel. Maybe I need a new project. Maybe I just need something exciting to happen. And sometimes we really do need to make changes in our lives. But there is another possibility that we don’t consider nearly often enough. What if the hunger isn’t coming from your personality at all? What if it is coming from your soul? The soul has needs just as the body has needs. The body becomes hungry for food. It becomes thirsty for water. It becomes tired and needs rest. And I believe the soul has its own kind of hunger. The soul hungers for God. It hungers for truth. It hungers for meaning. It hungers for beauty. It hungers for love that is deeper than human approval. And perhaps most of all, it hungers to remember who it is. That hunger can be very difficult to recognize because we live in a culture that offers us endless ways to distract ourselves from it. If we’re uncomfortable, we can turn on the television. We can pick up our phones. We can shop. We can eat. We can work. We can scroll through social media. We can keep ourselves busy from the moment we wake up until the moment we go to sleep. And none of those things is necessarily wrong. The problem comes when we begin using outer activity to satisfy an inner need that outer activity can never satisfy. You can entertain the mind and still starve the soul. You can surround yourself with people and still feel profoundly alone. You can accumulate possessions and still feel that something is missing. You can even achieve great success and suddenly discover that the success you worked so hard to attain did not give you the fulfillment you expected. Why? Because there are some things the world simply cannot give us. Jesus expressed this beautifully when he said, “Man shall not live by bread alone.” I’ve always thought that was such a profound statement. Obviously, we need bread. We have physical needs. We have responsibilities. We live in a material world, and we have to function in it. But Jesus was saying that there is another part of us that also has to be fed. Our spiritual nature needs nourishment. And when that part of us is neglected long enough, eventually we begin to feel it. Sometimes it appears as restlessness. Sometimes dissatisfaction. Sometimes a feeling of disconnection. Sometimes we begin asking questions we haven’t asked in years: Why am I here? What is my life really about? Who am I beyond all these roles I play? What happens when this life is over? Is God real? Can I actually know God? Is there something within me that is eternal? Those questions are not signs that something has gone wrong. They may be signs that something is beginning to go right. The soul is waking up. And I think this is an important distinction. We often try to get rid of discomfort as quickly as possible. But sometimes discomfort is carrying a message. Sometimes that inner dissatisfaction is telling us: “You have outgrown the way you have been living.” “There is more for you to discover.” “It is time to go deeper.” There is a divine reality within every one of us and that the soul’s ultimate destiny is reunion with God. If that is true, then it makes perfect sense that something within us would always be longing for that reunion. We may not consciously recognize it. We may call it something else. But beneath many of our outer desires may be a much deeper desire: the desire to come home spiritually. And coming home doesn’t mean leaving the world. It means beginning to live in this world with an awareness of who you really are. It means beginning to develop a conscious relationship with God. It means learning to recognize your higher self. It means becoming more aware of the quality of your thoughts, your emotions, your words and your choices. And eventually, it means asking a very different question about your life. Instead of only asking: “What do I want from life?” we begin asking: “What does my soul want to become?” That’s a very different question. Maybe your soul wants to become more loving. Maybe it wants to learn courage. Maybe forgiveness. Maybe discipline. Maybe compassion. Maybe wisdom. Maybe you are here to overcome something that has limited you for a very long time. Maybe you are here to develop gifts that can bless other people. Maybe you are here to remember your relationship with God at a much deeper level. The outer circumstances will be different for every person. But the spiritual journey has something in common for all of us. We are learning to express more of the divine nature that God placed within us. And that is why the hunger never completely goes away until we begin addressing it at the level where it originates. You cannot feed spiritual hunger with material things. You have to feed the soul. So how do we do that? We begin simply. Prayer. Silence. Spiritual study. Meditation. Gratitude. Service to others. Listening to that quiet voice within. Spending time with people who strengthen the highest part of us rather than constantly pulling us downward. And making room in our lives for God. Not just when we’re in trouble. Not just on Sunday. But as part of our everyday lives. Because the spiritual path isn’t separate from life. It is life lived with greater consciousness. So I want to leave you today with a question. Not a question you have to answer immediately. Just carry it with you for a while. What is my soul hungry for? Not what do I want to buy? Not what do I want to achieve? Not what do I want other people to give me? What is my soul hungry for? Sit with that question. You may be surprised by the answer. Because that feeling that something is missing may not be an emptiness you need to fear. It may be an invitation. An invitation to awaken. An invitation to go deeper. An invitation to remember the divine reality that has been within you all along. Thank you for joining me for this episode of Awakening the Divine Within. This brings us to the end of our first section, The Great Forgetting. And in our next episode, we’re going to begin exploring a beautiful but often misunderstood spiritual concept—the Divine Mother. Who is the Divine Mother? Is the Divine Mother a being? A consciousness? An aspect of God? And why does understanding the feminine aspect of God matter so much to our spiritual development? We’ll begin exploring those questions next time. Until then, remember: That longing for something more may be your soul calling you home. ____________________________________________________________ Get Your Copy Here of My Book - You Were Born to Be a Christ But You Were Taught You Are a Sinner - Awaken to Who You Really Are. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nancyshowalter.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone, and welcome back to Awakening the Divine Within. Today we’re going to explore an idea that really lies at the heart of this entire series. Our first episode was about the emptiness so many people feel inside. In our second episode, we looked at the spiritual crisis behind many of the problems we see in the world. But that raises another question. How did we get here? How did humanity become so disconnected from its spiritual source? I believe part of the answer is surprisingly simple: We forgot who we are. And that is why I call this first section of our series The Great Forgetting. Humanity has forgotten its divine nature. Now, when I say that we have a divine nature, I’m not saying that everything we do is divine. Obviously, it isn’t. We make mistakes. We become angry. We hurt one another. We make selfish choices. Sometimes we know better and do the wrong thing anyway. But our mistakes are not the whole story of who we are. Behind the personality, behind the fears, behind the mistakes and all the experiences that have shaped us, there is something greater. There is a divine spark within us. There is a part of us that came from God and remembers God, even when our outer mind has forgotten. This perspective completely changes the way we look at ourselves. Most of us have been taught to identify ourselves almost entirely by our human experience. We say: This is my personality. This is my family. This is what happened to me. These are my strengths. These are my weaknesses. These are my successes. These are my failures. And eventually we construct an identity out of all of these things. But what if none of those things represents the deepest truth of who you are? What if you existed spiritually before all of those experiences shaped your outer personality? What if there is an original divine pattern for you? Well, there is. And this is where the life and teachings of Jesus become so important. I believe one of the great misunderstandings about Jesus is that we have made him so different from ourselves that we sometimes miss the very thing he came to demonstrate. Jesus showed us what happens when a human being becomes completely aligned with the divine. He embodied the Christ. And when I use the word Christ, I’m not using it simply as another name for Jesus. Christ is a universal spiritual reality. It is the divine consciousness that connects the human soul with God. This Christ Self is our true identity that is meant to exist in the world, just as it did with Jesus. Jesus embodied that Christ consciousness so completely that we call him Jesus Christ. But he also called us to follow him. Think about that. To follow someone means that there is a path we can walk. Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also.” That is an extraordinary statement. He was pointing toward something within us that we have largely forgotten, ignored or even, in some cases, denied. Your Christ Self is sometimes referred to as the Higher Mental Body. You might think of your Christ Self as the higher spiritual part of you that already knows who you are in God. It knows your divine potential. It knows what you are capable of becoming. And it continually calls you upward. We may not always hear that voice clearly because there are so many other voices competing for our attention. Fear has a voice. Anger has a voice. Our past has a voice. Other people’s opinions have voices. The culture around us certainly has a voice. And sometimes all of those voices become so loud that we can no longer hear the quiet direction of our own higher self. But it is still there. This is why spiritual awakening is really a process of remembering. It is remembering: I am more than my past. I am more than my mistakes. I am more than my fears. I am more than what other people have told me I am. There is something divine within me that I am here to discover and express. And I think this is especially important because religion has sometimes emphasized human imperfection so strongly that people have developed an identity based almost entirely upon being sinners. Certainly, we make mistakes. We misuse God’s energy. We create karma. We need forgiveness and transformation. But Jesus did not come simply to tell us how terrible we are. He came to show us the way back. Remember what he said to the woman who had been accused? “Go, and sin no more.” In other words: Change. Rise. Become something greater. He did not define her forever by what she had done. And neither should we define ourselves forever by what we have done. There is a profound difference between recognizing our mistakes and making those mistakes our identity. The spiritual path asks us to take responsibility for what needs to change while remembering the divine potential that makes transformation possible. And that changes everything. Instead of saying, “This is just the way I am,” we begin asking: “What am I capable of becoming?” Instead of saying, “I could never change,” we begin asking: “What does my higher self want me to learn from this?” Instead of seeing ourselves only as flawed human beings trying somehow to reach a distant God, we begin to recognize that God has already placed something of himself within us. And our spiritual journey is about bringing that divine reality into expression. More love. More wisdom. More courage. More compassion. More self-mastery. More truth. More of the Christ. Not someday in some distant heaven. Here. In our relationships. In our choices. In our words. In the way we treat people. In the way we respond when life becomes difficult. That is where Christhood begins to become real. And perhaps that is the greatest thing humanity has forgotten. We have forgotten what we were created to become. So I would like to leave you today with a very simple question: Who would you be if you stopped defining yourself by your limitations and began defining yourself by your divine potential? Think about that. Because somewhere beneath everything life has placed upon you is the person God intended you to become. And the spiritual path is the journey of discovering that person and bringing that divine identity into manifestation. Thank you for joining me for this episode of Awakening the Divine Within. Until next time, remember: You are more than your history. You are more than your mistakes. You are more than your human limitations. There is a divine light within you. And perhaps it is time to remember who you really are. __________________________________________ Click Here for Free Bonuses! You Were Born to Be a Christ But You Were Taught You Are a Sinner - Awaken to Who You Really Are! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nancyshowalter.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone, and welcome back to Awakening the Divine Within. In our last episode, we talked about The Great Forgetting—how humanity has forgotten its divine nature. Today I want to look at one of the consequences of that forgetting. When we lose awareness of the divine presence within ourselves, we begin searching everywhere else for what we think will make us whole. And that brings us to today’s topic: Why People Search Everywhere Except Within. Think about how much of our lives are spent searching. We search for happiness. We search for love. We search for success. We search for security. We search for recognition. We search for someone who will finally understand us. And increasingly, we search for answers. We search the Internet. We search social media. We listen to podcasts. We watch videos. We read books. And there is certainly nothing wrong with learning from other people. In fact, good teaching can change our lives. But there comes a point on the spiritual path when we have to stop asking everyone else who we are and begin discovering the answer within ourselves. Because there is one place modern society rarely teaches us to look: within. From the time we’re very young, we’re trained to pay attention to the outer world. How am I doing? What do other people think of me? Am I successful? Am I attractive? Do I have enough money? Do people approve of me? Am I keeping up with everyone else? And today social media has magnified this tremendously. We can compare our lives with hundreds or even thousands of other people every day. And the problem is that we are often comparing our private struggles with someone else’s public image. Then we wonder why we don’t feel good enough. But there is an even deeper spiritual problem. When our attention is constantly directed outward, we lose contact with the quiet voice within. God is not merely a distant being somewhere outside of you. There is a divine presence within you. Jesus said it very simply: “The kingdom of God is within you.” Think about what that means. The kingdom is not merely something we hope to enter after we die. Jesus was pointing to a spiritual reality that can be discovered within consciousness. And yet how often do we actually go there? Many people are uncomfortable with silence. The moment things become quiet, we reach for the phone. We turn on the television. We play music. We check messages. We find something to do. We fill every empty space with noise. And sometimes I wonder whether we are afraid of what we might discover if everything became quiet. Because in silence, we begin meeting ourselves. We encounter thoughts we’ve been avoiding. Feelings we’ve pushed aside. Questions we’ve been too busy to ask. And sometimes, underneath all of that, we begin to sense something else. A presence. An inner knowing. A quiet sense that there is something greater within us. The spiritual path requires us to develop a relationship with that inner reality. Prayer is part of that. Meditation is part of that. Contemplation is part of that. But even simply becoming quiet for a few minutes can begin changing our relationship with ourselves. And I want to make an important distinction here. Going within does not mean that every thought or feeling that comes into our mind is automatically divine guidance. We all have fears. We all have desires. We all have emotional reactions. That is why spiritual discernment is so important. We learn gradually to recognize the difference between the voice of fear and the voice of wisdom. Fear usually feels urgent. The ego often demands. Anger reacts. But the higher self has a different quality. It may correct us, sometimes very firmly, but there is clarity in it. There is wisdom. There is a sense of inner knowing. And learning to recognize that guidance takes practice. I sometimes think of it like tuning a radio. If there is too much static, you can’t hear the station clearly. And many of us have tremendous static in our consciousness. Worry. Busyness. Resentment. Fear. Constant information. Other people’s opinions. All of that creates noise. Spiritual practice helps us reduce the noise so that we can hear something higher. This is why prayer, quiet meditation, decrees and understanding the power of the spoken word is so important. We call it the science of the spoken word and it has been practiced for centuries in various traditions by those on the spiritual path. And there is much modern scientific experiments that demonstrate this. These practices help us turn our attention away from the constant pull of the outer world and reconnect with the divine. But here’s something else I think is important. Going within does not mean withdrawing from life. It doesn’t mean ignoring responsibilities. It doesn’t mean becoming passive. In fact, the opposite should happen. When we become more connected with our higher self, we should become more effective in the world. More loving. More discerning. More purposeful. More courageous. More capable of making wise decisions. The purpose of going within is not to escape life. It is to discover how to live life from a higher level of consciousness. And I think that is something our world desperately needs. People who are not simply reacting to everything around them. People who have an inner center. People who can become quiet enough to ask: “What is the right thing to do?” “What is the loving thing to do?” “What is the wise thing to do?” “What is my higher self trying to teach me?” Imagine how different our relationships would be if we did that before reacting. Imagine how different our families would be. Our workplaces. Our communities. And even our world. So I want to give you a very simple practice today. Find five minutes. That’s all. Five minutes without your phone. Without television. Without music. Without doing anything else. Sit quietly. Take a few slow, deep breaths. And then simply say inwardly: “God, help me become aware of your presence within me.” And then be quiet. Don’t demand an answer. Don’t try to manufacture an experience. Just be, just listen. You may feel something. You may feel nothing. That’s okay. The important thing is that you are beginning to create space for a relationship that modern life rarely encourages us to develop: a relationship with the divine presence within. Because ultimately, the spiritual journey is not about endlessly searching outside ourselves for someone who can tell us who we are. Good teachers can point the way. Jesus can show us the path. The ascended masters can teach us. But eventually, we have to walk that path ourselves. And that path leads inward before it leads upward. So I’ll leave you with this question: How much of your life have you spent searching outside yourself for something your soul has been quietly waiting for you to discover within? Thank you for joining me for this episode of Awakening the Divine Within. Until next time, remember: You don’t have to leave your life to find God. You just have to learn to recognize the divine presence that has been with you all along. ___________________________________________________ Click here to learn more about the science of the spoken word and the power your words have. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nancyshowalter.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone, and welcome back to Awakening the Divine Within. In this series we’re exploring the deeper spiritual realities behind many of the struggles people are facing today—both personally and collectively. In our last episode, we talked about why so many people feel empty inside and how that emptiness may actually be the soul longing to reconnect with its spiritual source. Today, I want to take that conversation a step further by looking at the bigger picture. This episode is called: “The Spiritual Crisis Behind Modern Society.” Because if we’re honest, it feels like something is deeply off in the world right now. People are more connected technologically than ever before, yet loneliness is increasing. We have more information than any generation in history, yet confusion seems everywhere. We see rising anxiety, emotional instability, anger, division, corruption, violence, addiction, and a growing sense of hopelessness in many people. And a lot of people look at all of this and ask—and maybe you too,“What is happening to humanity?” Now, most explanations focus only on external causes:politics,economics,technology,social systems,education,or cultural change. And while all of those things matter, I believe the deeper issue is spiritual. Outer conditions are often reflections of inner consciousness. In other words, when humanity becomes spiritually disconnected, that disconnection eventually begins showing up everywhere in society. It appears in:how people treat one another,how leaders govern,how truth is distorted,how fear spreads,how greed grows,and how people lose touch with compassion, wisdom, and inner balance. A society can advance technologically while declining spiritually. And I think that’s exactly what we’re witnessing in many ways today. We’ve developed incredible external power…but we have not developed equal spiritual maturity. Humanity has learned how to manipulate matter and technology, but many people still struggle to master:their emotions,their thoughts,their impulses,their anger,their fears,and their ego. And when inner consciousness is unstable, outer systems eventually become unstable too. To me, it appears humanity has gradually lost awareness of its sacred nature. People have forgotten that life itself is spiritual. Not just religion. Not just prayer. Not just churches or temples. Life itself. How we think.How we speak.How we treat people.How we use energy.How we handle power.How we respond to conflict.How we raise children.How we care for our bodies and minds. All of it is spiritual. But modern culture often separates spirituality from daily living. People may think of spirituality as something abstract or optional rather than something deeply connected to consciousness itself. And when people lose that inner connection, they begin looking outside themselves for stability and meaning. That’s one reason we see such emotional polarization today. People become reactive very easily.Fear spreads quickly.Anger escalates rapidly.And many people feel emotionally exhausted. Why? Because inner peace cannot exist for long without spiritual grounding. Now, this doesn’t mean we should judge humanity harshly. In many ways, people are struggling because they were never taught how to develop inner mastery. They were taught how to compete.How to consume.How to chase external success. But they were rarely taught:how to quiet the mind,how to manage emotions,how to strengthen compassion,how to develop wisdom,or how to connect with the divine presence within themselves. And without that inner foundation, people become vulnerable to fear, manipulation, confusion, and emotional instability. C onsciousness matters far more than most people realize. Every thought matters.Every emotion matters.Every word matters.Every choice matters. Because collectively, human consciousness helps shape the world we live in. That means society changes when consciousness changes. And I know that can sound overwhelming at first because we look at the problems in the world and think:“How could one person possibly make a difference?” But spiritual transformation has always begun one person at a time. One awakened person influences others.One compassionate person changes environments.One person choosing wisdom over hatred shifts energy.One person living consciously becomes a stabilizing force in the world. And honestly, I think that’s part of why you’re listening to this series right now. Something within you may already sense that external solutions alone are not enough. Humanity needs spiritual awakening.Not necessarily more dogma.Not more fear-based religion.Not more division. But greater consciousness.Greater wisdom.Greater compassion.Greater awareness of the sacredness of life. The good news is that periods of great confusion can also become periods of awakening. Sometimes humanity only begins seriously searching for truth when old systems begin failing. Sometimes people only begin asking deeper questions when external life no longer satisfies them. And perhaps that’s part of what is happening right now. People are searching again. Searching for meaning.Searching for truth.Searching for something real. And I believe that search can lead humanity toward a higher consciousness—if we are willing to awaken spiritually instead of simply reacting emotionally. So today, I want to leave you with this thought: The world heals as consciousness heals. And healing begins within individuals. Within hearts.Within minds.Within souls. The more peace we cultivate within ourselves, the more peace we bring into the world. The more wisdom we embody, the more stability we bring into the world. The more love we express, the more healing becomes possible. And that doesn’t make you powerless. It makes you part of the solution. Before we close, I’d like to leave you with a simple reflection for today. Ask yourself: “What kind of energy am I contributing to the world around me?” Fear?Anger?Division? Or peace?Compassion?Wisdom?Hope? Because the world is shaped, little by little, by the consciousness each of us brings into it. Thank you so much for joining me for Episode 2 of Awakening the Divine Within. And until next time, remember: Real transformation begins within. _______________________________________________________________________ The Awakening Now This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nancyshowalter.substack.com/subscribe

Learn how to protect yourself from negative energies and spiritual tools you can use to seal your aura and transmute negative energies coming your way from unseen "powers and principalities" or from others you know or don't know.  Learn how to use this mantra: Reverse the tide! (3x)     Roll them back! (3x)   Reverse the tide! (3x)  Take thy command,   Roll them back! (3x)   Set all free! (3x)   Reverse the tide! (3x) Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts.  Go to https://www.nancyshowalter.com/for a FREE Copy of My Book, It's OK to Be Rich:  The Entrepreneur's Guide to Increased Wealth and Personal Mastery and FREE Mini-Course, "How to Speak Your Success:  The Shocking Truth of How Your Words Impact Achieving Your Goals." This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nancyshowalter.substack.com/subscribe

My book was featured in Coffee & Chapters Book Enthusiasts’ Event. Perfect for Book Study Groups or Book of the Month Clubs. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nancyshowalter.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nancyshowalter.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome to today’s episode, an important episode. Because, one of the biggest lies we’re taught, and it shows up everywhere, in relationships, in spirituality, even in how we talk about God and that is that love is something we’re supposed to get from outside ourselves. We’re told to go find it. Earn it. Deserve it. Chase it. Fix ourselves enough so someone else will finally give it to us. And after years of contemplating this situation and watching people struggle, I’ve come to a really simple, but sometimes, uncomfortable realization: “I am the love I am looking for.” That sounds almost too simple, doesn’t it? But if you sit with it honestly, it explains a lot. Most of the time when we feel lonely, rejected, unseen, or needy, we assume it’s because someone else isn’t showing up for us the way we want them to. But what if the real issue isn’t that love is missing — it’s that we’re outsourcing it? For me, when I finally stopped waiting for love and acceptance to come from outside me and started practicing being loving toward myself, something remarkable happened. I found that I needed less from other people. And you will find the same. There won’t be the need to grasp for approval. You’ll no longer read into spoken words, or tone or silence. And you will quit trying to pull love out of people who don’t have it to give. And ironically, you’ll find relationships will get healthier and you are much happier. Because here’s the thing that I’ve discovered. People can feel neediness. They may not be able to explain it, but they feel it. And when we’re empty inside, we subtly ask others to fill us — with attention, reassurance, validation, affection. That’s a heavy ask, even when it’s unspoken. So instead of asking, “Why isn’t anyone loving me?” Start asking a better question: “Have I actually filled my own cup first?” “Do I love me?” But if you do feel needy at times, don’t shame myself for it. See it as information. It’s a signal that you’ve been giving out more than you’ve been giving to yourself. So pause. Pull back. Get quiet and do whatever you need to do to refill your own love tank. Sometimes that looks like talking to yourself more kindly instead of mentally beating yourself up, which many of us love to do. Sometimes it means resting instead of pushing. Sometimes it means saying no without explaining. And sometimes it means stopping the inner narrative that says you’re only valuable if you’re useful, needed, or wanted. Learn to treat love like something you maintain, not something you chase. If resentment starts creeping in — toward a partner, or a friend, or even toward life — that’s a huge red flag. Because resentment usually isn’t about the other person. It’s about the fact that you gave from an empty place and expected someone else to make up the difference. And that never works. So make sure your cupboards are full before you show up in the world. Don’t go into conversations emotionally starving. Don’t give love hoping it will be returned. Give because you already have it. And here’s the paradox: when you’re full, you actually receive better love. Not needy love. Not transactional love. But real love. Clean love. Love that isn’t tangled up in expectations. Now, hear me on this. This does not mean you don’t need people. It doesn’t mean you isolate yourself or pretend you’re invincible. Rather, it means you take responsibility for your inner state before asking others to meet you there. And that includes understanding how you experience love. Your love language matters — not so you can demand it from others, but so you can give it to yourself first. If you crave words, speak them to yourself. If you need care, practice it. If you need space, take it. If you need reassurance, learn how to ground yourself instead of outsourcing your worth. Because when you become the love you’re looking for, relationships stop being a search and start being a sharing. You stop chasing. You stop proving. You stop shrinking or performing. And from that place, love finally shows up — not because you needed it, but because you had it and were ready to give it freely. So maybe the real spiritual question isn’t asking, “Who will love me?” Maybe it’s asking, “How can I love myself more fully — today, honestly, without pretending?” Remember, the second greatest commandment that Jesus taught, “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” implies you must first love yourself. Try adding this affirmation to your meditations or prayer times. Repeat and feel it often: “I AM the love I AM looking for.” The truth is simple, and it’s powerful: You are not lacking love.You are learning how to become it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nancyshowalter.substack.com/subscribe

Hey, if you’re a teenager and you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought,“I hate my body,” “I wish I looked different,” or even, “I wish I were someone else entirely,” I want you to know something right up front: You are not broken. You are not weird. And you’re certainly not alone. You’re growing up in a world where you’re constantly surrounded by images of perfect faces and perfect bodies. Social media, movies, influencers—they all quietly send the message that your body is only acceptable if it looks a certain way. So when you catch yourself thinking, “I’m so fat,” “I hate my hair,” “I hate my nose,” or something similar, your feelings are understandable. But those thoughts are not facts, and they don’t define your worth. One of the most powerful things you can learn is acceptance. Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up on growth or pretending everything is perfect. It means you stop fighting yourself. There’s freedom in that. When you accept yourself as you are right now, other people’s opinions lose their grip on you. And the truth is, a lot of insecurity actually lives in your mind, not in your body. Once you stop attacking yourself, real self-improvement can finally begin—from a place of respect instead of shame. Comparison is another huge trap. If you compare yourself to friends or people online, you will always find something wrong. Online images are edited, filtered, and staged. No one actually looks like that all the time. Have you ever seen movie stars without their makeup? Everyone’s body develops differently and at a different pace. That doesn’t mean you’re late or defective—it means you’re human. It also matters how much attention you give to negativity. Some people project their pain onto others. Constant criticism—especially online—can wreck your confidence if you let it. It’s okay to block comments, take a break from posting, or step away from social media for a while. Protecting your mental health is not weakness. It’s strength. And pay attention to how you talk to yourself. And, yes, you can talk to yourself and you can talk to your body. Your inner voice matters more than you realize. If you constantly insult yourself, your body starts to feel like an enemy. When you speak to yourself with kindness, even if it feels awkward at first, something shifts. You start to feel lighter. More at peace. Now, we all have things we don’t like about our bodies. Some things can change, some can’t. Instead of hating your body, care for it. Eat better. Get sleep. Move your body. Take care of your skin. These don’t have to be extreme changes. Treating your body with respect builds confidence because it reminds you that you matter. Sometimes body hatred comes from deeper places—bullying, teasing, or always being compared to others. Talking to someone you trust, or even a counselor or therapist, can help you figure out where those feelings started. And it’s okay to distance yourself from people who constantly make you feel bad about yourself. You don’t owe access to your life to people who tear you down. And here’s something really important I want you to hear clearly: Your body is not a mistake. It is the physical expression of who you are meant to become in this lifetime. Your body and your soul are connected. They are not enemies. During the teenage years, emotions are intense, identity can feel shaky, and confusion can feel overwhelming. Believe it or not, that’s normal. But when you feel uncomfortable in your body, it can be tempting to believe that the solution is to reject your body or rush into becoming someone else entirely—especially when others suggest that changing yourself is the answer. But confusion is not clarity. Strong feelings are real, but they are not permanent. Big, life-altering decisions should never be made when you’re feeling pressured, insecure, or overwhelmed. Growth takes time. Understanding yourself takes time. Your body deserves patience, not rejection. You don’t need to rush. You don’t need to label yourself permanently. You don’t need to change your body to be worthy of love or belonging. Your teenage years are a season of becoming—and your body is part of that process, not the problem. If you’re somewhere safe right now, try this with me. Take a slow breath in through your nose…and gently let it out through your mouth. Do that again. In… and out. Now, just notice your body—not to judge it, not to fix it—just notice it.Feel your feet. Feel your breath. Feel that you’re here—in the present moment and all is well. Silently, or out loud, repeat these words: My body is a blessing.I don’t have to rush.I am allowed to grow at my own pace.My body and my soul are on the same team.I choose patience over pressure.I choose respect over self-hate. Take one more deep breath…and when you’re ready, open your eyes. You don’t have to have everything figured out today.You’re allowed to grow—slowly, safely, and in your own time. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nancyshowalter.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome to today’s episode, where I want to talk about something that sits right at the intersection of spirituality, science, and our everyday lived experience — something that, once you see it, changes the way you understand your body, your healing, and even your spiritual path. It’s this simple but very deep idea: God works through biology. Most of us were taught, either by religion or by modern spirituality, that the body is something we’re supposed to rise above. That it’s either sinful, broken, or just temporary and therefore not very important. And yet, the more I’ve studied consciousness, healing, and and spiritualoity and the way life actually works, the more I’ve come to see that the body isn’t in the way of the soul at all. The body is how the soul expresses itself here. Think about how you experience life. You don’t experience love in some abstract spiritual cloud — you feel it in your heart, in your chest, in your nervous system. You don’t experience fear as a theory either. You feel it in your stomach, in your muscles, in your breath. Your entire inner world is being translated into physical sensation through biology. That’s not a flaw. It’s a design. Then, from a spiritual perspective, your body isn’t just something you’re riding around in, the way you drive a car and then step out of it. It’s actually the physical expression of your consciousness itself. Yes, you inherit certain traits from your parents, but you also bring into this lifetime the imprint of your own soul — your experiences, your patterns, your lessons, both the light and the unfinished pieces from the past. All of that shows up in your physical form in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. And even though the soul eventually leaves the body at the end of a lifetime, the body is still one of the four vehicles the soul uses here — the physical, along with the mental, emotional, and memory levels — to experience, learn, and evolve in the physical world. Your body isn’t separate from your spiritual journey. It’s woven into it. And this is why healing the body changes so much more than just how you feel physically. Have you ever noticed how, when someone finally starts to feel better — when their pain eases, when their energy returns, or when your inflammation goes down — they don’t just feel better in their body, they become a different person? They’re calmer. They’re more patient. They think more clearly. They feel more hopeful. They’re more open to love, to God, to life itself. Health is so important, and that’s because consciousness rides on biology. A nervous system that is constantly inflamed or exhausted can’t easily hold peace. A brain that is overloaded with stress hormones struggles to access higher awareness. We often try to meditate our way into enlightenment while our cells are still in survival mode. And that’s not how we were designed to work. I want to share something personal here, because this isn’t just theory for me. I’ve always prioritized my own health and the health of my family, not only because it makes practical sense, but because I’ve always understood it spiritually. When your body is struggling — when you’re exhausted, inflamed, in pain, or depleted — it becomes much harder to stay connected to the God within you. It’s not that God isn’t there. It’s that the instrument you’re using to feel and express that connection is under strain. And I’ve seen it over and over again, in my own life and in the lives of others, that when the body is supported, the spiritual connection becomes clearer, stronger, and more stable. And of course there are many physical practices and healing modalities you can do that help clear and cleanse the physical body, with the main one being fasting, but there is also practices such as yoga, tai chi, qigong, and numerous others. Basically, your body is designed to heal. To regenerate. To restore balance. To come back into harmony when it’s given the right support. That intelligence didn’t come from a lab. It came from the same Source that created everything else in nature. Every time a cut closes, a bone heals, or inflammation resolves, you’re watching divine intelligence in action. And what’s fascinating is that science is now catching up to what spiritual law has always said — that the body responds not just to chemicals, but to light, to energy, to information, to signaling. Our cells are not dumb. They’re communicators. They’re listening all the time. And they’re responding to what we give them. That’s why I find it so exciting that there are now gentle, non-invasive technologies emerging that don’t try to force the body to heal, but instead remind it how. Instead of overriding the system, they work with the body’s own regenerative intelligence. And that, to me, feels deeply aligned with how God works — not through force, but through awakening what’s already there. If this way of looking at the body and healing resonates with you, I just want you to know that you don’t have to struggle or push your way into health. Your body already knows what to do. Sometimes it just needs the right kind of support. And if you’re curious to explore that more, which I certainly understand because this is how I’ve lived my life, I’ve made information available at my website on something that my husband and I have found to be incredibly supportive to our physical well-being. Check it out if you have any interest and I am happy to answer any questions you might have. It’s at: lifewave.com/nancyroses. The link is in the text. There you will find resources for people who feel called to support their physical body as part of their spiritual journey. Because the truth is, you are not a soul trapped in a body. You are a soul expressing itself through a living, intelligent biological temple. And when your biology begins to heal and regenerate, your consciousness naturally rises with it. That’s not an accident. That’s how God designed it. Have a wonderful day. See you next time. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nancyshowalter.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nancyshowalter.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone, and welcome back to Spirituality for the Politically Incorrect. I’m Nancy Showalter, and today we’re unlocking one of the most liberating spiritual principles there is: Responsibility — not as blame, but as the “ability to respond.” This episode is about reclaiming your power, mastering your reactions, and remembering that no one controls your inner world except you. So let’s dive in. 1. Responsibility Is Not Blame or Burden— It’s Power Most people associate responsibility with burden, guilt, duty, or blame.But the deeper spiritual meaning is something entirely different: **Responsibility = Response-Ability, the Ability to Respond vs. React The ability to consciously choose your response.** Reaction comes from fear, conditioning, or old habits.Response comes from awareness and inner mastery. Remember the spiritual adage, “You are never a victim of circumstances unless you choose to be.” Responsibility is not about fault.It’s about freedom — the freedom to choose how you think, feel, and act. No government, parent, partner, boss, or stranger can force you to think or feel anything.They can influence — but only you decide what enters your consciousness. 2. Reaction vs. Response Let’s look at the difference: Reacting * Automatic * Triggered * Emotional * Fear-based * Disempowering * Rooted in old patterns * Reinforces victimhood Responding * Aware * Thoughtful * Grounded * In alignment with your Higher Self * Empowering * Creates karma consciously * Builds mastery Elizabeth Clare Prophet taught that every moment we choose between the human ego and the Higher Self within. When we react, the outer self leads.When we respond, the I AM Presence leads. 3. Wayne Dyer’s Orange Example: “No One Makes You Angry Without Your Consent.” Wayne Dyer loved to tell this story: A woman once said to him,“Dr. Dyer, my husband makes me so angry.” He smiled gently and said: “No one can make you angry unless you allow them inside.What they do is what they do.What you feel is what you choose.” Then he gave his famous orange analogy: If you squeeze an orange, what comes out?Orange juice.Why?Because it’s what’s inside. And when life “squeezes” you — through criticism, stress, or conflict — what comes out of you is what you’ve been storing inside: * Peace * Anger * Patience * Love * Fear * Judgment The “squeeze” doesn’t put it there.It simply reveals what’s already inside. This is responsibility in action: You don’t control what others say or do.You do control what you hold within, and how you respond. “No one may enter the chamber of your consciousness unless you open the door.” Responsibility is inner sovereignty. 4. No One Can Control Your Inner World Jesus said: “The kingdom of God is within you.”— Luke 17:21 The kingdom is not outer circumstances — it is your inner consciousness. He never taught: * “You will be blessed if Rome behaves.” * “You will have peace when everyone else stops irritating you.” Instead he taught: * “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” — Proverbs 23:7 * “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2 * “Choose you this day whom you will serve.” — Joshua 24:15 You cannot be a victim and a creator at the same time. Responsibility is choosing to be the creator. 5. Viktor Frankl: The Power Between Stimulus and Response Viktor Frankl, the great psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, wrote one of the most profound statements on responsibility ever recorded: “Between stimulus and response there is a space.In that space is our power to choose our response.In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” Frankl lived through horrors beyond imagination — and yet he realized: * they could control his environment * they could control his body * they could control his food, his work, his freedom …but they could not control his inner world. He wrote: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude.” Circumstances do not dictate your consciousness.Only your choices do. Responsibility is not blaming yourself for the outer conditions —it is claiming the supreme power of choice within those conditions. 6. Responsibility and the I AM Presence The I AM Presence — is the true responder. When you choose to respond rather than react, you are literally allowing your Higher Self to act through you. Try affirming: “I AM the Presence choosing my responses with wisdom and love.” or “I AM the master of my world. Nothing moves me from my center.” And one of my favorite ones is, whcn facing a difficult situation that you cannot readily see a solution, “Might I AM Presence, you take command of this situation. I shall not be moved! And you stay anchored in your Higher Self and allow God to work it out in the best interest of all concerned. Responsibility isn’t heavy —it’s empowering. It’s the moment you stop giving your power away. 7. Practical Tools: Training Yourself to Respond, Not React 1. Pause before speaking Response requires a moment of awareness. 2. Feel your body If your chest tightens or your jaw clenches, that’s a sign you’re about to react. 3. Ask your Higher Self “What is the most loving, wise response in this moment?” 4. Invoke the Violet Flame Clear the emotional charge: “In the name of the I AM THAT I AM, blaze the Violet Flame through this reaction now.” 5. Look for the lesson “What is this teaching me?”“What is being revealed in me that is ready to be healed?” Responsibility always reveals opportunity. 8. Remember: Responsibility Is Spiritual Freedom Responsibility is not about blame. It is about power —the power to choose your direction, your vibration, your thoughts, your feelings, and your future. It is the recognition that: * You are not a victim. * You are not at the mercy of life. * You are not controlled by others. * You are a creator. * You are a co-worker with God. * You are endowed with the ability to respond consciously. Wayne Dyer taught it.Viktor Frankl lived it.Jesus embodied it.And the Ascended Masters champion it. Responsibility is the foundation of spiritual masteryand the key to inner freedom. Make your choice today to master Responsibility. ________________________________________________________ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nancyshowalter.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome to today’s episode where we’re talking about one of the most sensitive and personal topics of our time — gender, identity, and the soul. Maybe you’re a teen or a young child listening who has wondered, “Was I born in the wrong body?” Maybe you’re a parent hearing those words from your child. Wherever you are in this conversation, I want you to know — this is not about judgment. This is about compassion, about truth, and about remembering who you really are. “When spirit meets science, something remarkable happens… take a look.” The Heart of the Struggle It’s not unusual for young people to look in the mirror and feel out of place. Maybe you don’t like your body, or maybe you’ve experimented with clothes or roles that don’t fit what people expect. Those feelings are real, and they can be confusing. When you’re young, it’s natural to explore. Some young children like to dress up as the opposite sex or play games that are usually associated with one sex or the other but don’t necessarily think about wanting to become the opposite sex. As a teenager with all the physical and emotional changes that teens typically face, it is not unusual to even question who you are. Sometimes that also shows up as wanting to dress like the opposite sex, or wishing you were born different. But psychologists have noticed something important: many children and teens outgrow those feelings when they’re simply given space, love, and time. For example, psychiatrists like Dr. Susan Bradley, a Canadian psychiatrist, and her colleague Dr. Kenneth Zucker worked with children who felt uncomfortable in their birth gender. What they observed is that most of these kids didn’t carry those feelings into adulthood. The desire often faded as they matured, especially when no one rushed them into permanent changes. Even today, voices like Dr. Stephen Levine, a psychiatrist who has worked with gender-distressed patients for decades, remind us that these feelings often point to deeper emotional wounds. He says it’s vital to explore the psychology and the soul first, because changing the outside won’t necessarily heal the inside. What this shows us is that your feelings are real—but they don’t have to be forever. What seems like the only answer right now may shift as you grow, as you discover more of yourself, as you heal. And that’s okay. You are not broken—you are in process. And don’t let society or peers pressure you into anything permanently that will affect your future. The Spiritual Dimension It’s important to address the spiritual perspective, which is often overlooked or not even be considered. You are not an accident. You didn’t just land in a random body. Your soul chooses — or is karmically required— to embody as a male or female for a purpose. Here’s something you may not have heard before: no matter your body, you are both masculine and feminine. If you’re in a female body, you are 51 percent feminine and 49 percent masculine. If you’re in a male body, you are 51 percent masculine and 49 percent feminine. That means you already carry both sides within you because you were made in the image and likeness of God. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” …”So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. - Genesis 1:26-27 So if you feel some imbalance, or like you don’t fully fit in your birth gender, that’s not a mistake — it’s part of your growth. There are lessons, strengths, and energies to master in the gender you were born into. Changing your body on the outside doesn’t heal the lessons your soul came here to learn on the inside. Why Might Someone Feel Like They are in the Wrong Body? Again, from a spiritual perspective, in addition to the societal trends or pressures we see put upon individuals, teens and even children, there are several reasons why someone may not feel comfortable in their birth gender. For instance, an individual who has had many lifetimes in one gender may not feel comfortable in the opposite gender, even though their karma or their divine plan dictated it. Or an individual might be rebelling against his or her karma and refuses to fulfill the purpose for that lifetime. Whatever the reason, changing your gender can have a serious impact on your ability to balance karma and fulfill your life’s plan. In the case of children who have recently arrived in the physical dimension, they are still feeling their wholeness, which is also a reason why they might innocently dress as the opposite sex or play with toys or engage in sports typically associated with the opposite sex. This does not mean that the child should be encouraged to change his or her gender. In fact, it is not spiritually lawful to interfere with a child’s divine plan in this way. It is important that the soul has the freedom to identify with its plan for its life, which includes the body in which they were born. When Culture Adds Pressure But today, culture sends a very different message. Instead of encouraging teens to explore those feelings safely, our society often pushes, “Maybe you were born in the wrong body. Maybe you need to change.” Even comedian Bill Maher — who says he is an atheist — has raised alarms. He’s pointed out how, in some places, the rise in trans identification seems tied to social influence, even calling it “trendiness.” He asked, “If this spike in trans kids is all biological, why is it regional?” It’s an uncomfortable question, but one worth asking. He has also said that people should be allowed to ask questions about the human race “changing at a previously unprecedented rate” without it being attributed to bigotry, especially when it comes to kids. “We’re literally experimenting on children,” he said of puberty blockers and other measures that are part of an LGBTQ “trend” among America’s youth. And some parents — with the best of intentions — even find themselves swept up in it, almost comparing notes about who has “a child transitioning.” When something as serious as altering your body becomes a cultural fad, it’s time to pause. And yes, parents are sometimes told by psychologists that if you don’t let them transition, there is a great risk they will commit suicide. The standard phrase the many parents hear is, “Do you want a live boy or a dead girl?” Real-Life Stories and the Irreversibility of Change I want to share two stories with you, because they show the human cost of rushing into decisions about the body. One is Keira Bell, who transitioned as a teenager in the UK. Later, she spoke about her deep regret, saying she was rushed into puberty blockers and hormones before she could fully understand what it would mean. She shared openly that she lost the natural ability to have children and the possibility of nursing a baby — things she never considered as a teen. “I cannot reverse the physical, mental, or emotional damage I have suffered,” she said. Another is Chris Beck, a decorated U.S. Navy SEAL who transitioned to live as a woman for nearly a decade before detransitioning. He later admitted he had been rushed into surgeries without being warned of their permanence. His words were stark: “You can’t undo what’s been cut away.” These stories remind us: while feelings about gender can shift, surgeries and hormone treatments often leave permanent scars. Organs that are removed cannot be replaced. The ability to father children, to give birth, to nurse — these are gifts that, once lost, cannot be regained. The Soul’s Wholeness So here’s the truth: you are already whole. You don’t need to erase your body to find yourself. You need to remember who you are beyond your body — a soul, carrying both masculine and feminine, born into this life with purpose. And the body you were born into indicates which gender is for this life. If you’re a parent listening, remember that children are still unfolding. They are not ready to make permanent, life-changing decisions — and we don’t expect them to in any other area. We don’t let children drink alcohol, vote, or sign legal contracts. Why would we rush them into altering their bodies forever? Give them love, give them space, give them truth. Let them know it’s okay to feel confused, but it’s not forever. Most children, if left alone and supported, will grow into peace with who they were born to be. Closing EncouragementIf you’re struggling right now with gender, identity, or your body, I want to speak directly to you: you are not broken. You are not a mistake. You are a soul with infinite worth, created with intention. The culture may tell you the answer is to change your body. But the deeper answer is to heal your soul — to remember your divine spark, your Christ within, your eternal wholeness. You are loved. You are enough. And the body you were given is not your enemy. It is the temple of your soul, designed for the lessons, the growth, and the victory you came here to achieve. As you go forward, may you remember this: you are not a mistake.You are a soul of infinite worth, born with purpose, clothed in a body that is your temple. May you find peace with who you are today, courage for who you are becoming, and the strength to listen to the quiet voice within that whispers, “You are whole. You are loved. You are enough.” Carry that truth with you, and let it be a light on your path. __________________________________ For more spiritual-expanding teachings, check out my book: You Were Born to Be a Christ But You Were Taught You Are a Sinner – Awaken to Who You Really Are “Every so often you come across a book that fits

Welcome back, friends. In our last episode, we discovered that true focus is not about discipline or willpower—it’s about passion. We saw that when you care deeply, focus comes naturally. And I ended with a truth worth repeating: Passion and focus don’t retire. Today, we’re going to talk directly to those of you who are retired—or approaching retirement. Maybe you’ve closed the chapter of your career. Maybe the routines that defined your life for decades have shifted. And perhaps you’ve wondered: “Where do I fit now? What is my purpose in this stage of life?” The good news is this: retirement isn’t an end. It’s a beginning. It’s a sacred opportunity to realign with what your soul cares about most. Storytelling: A New Season of Focus I once spoke with a man who had just retired from a long career in engineering. For years, he told me, his focus had been on deadlines, projects, and responsibilities. But now, with no meetings and no boss, he felt adrift. Then one day, he walked into a community center and volunteered to help tutor young students in math. And something clicked. His passion was reignited—not for equations, but for helping children believe in themselves. He said, “I’ve found more joy in these last few months of retirement than I did in years of work.” That’s the beauty of this season: the external demands quiet down, and you have space to listen to your heart. Challenges of Retirement But let’s be honest—this new chapter isn’t always easy. Many retirees face very real challenges. Some experience empty nest syndrome, where children have grown and left home, leaving a silence that feels unsettling. Others struggle because their identity was so wrapped up in their career that without the job title, they feel lost, unvalued, or even invisible. There’s also the challenge of shifting routines. The structure of workdays and responsibilities disappears, and at first it can feel like drifting without an anchor. And let’s not overlook the subtle societal message that aging means stepping aside, when in truth, wisdom and presence are more needed now than ever. Acknowledging these struggles is important—because they are not signs of failure, but invitations. Invitations to rediscover that your worth is not tied to a career, a title, or a role—but to who you are in essence: a beloved soul with a divine purpose that continues to unfold. Spiritual Reflection Spiritually speaking, retirement is not about stepping out of life—it’s about stepping deeper into life’s purpose. The soul never retires. God’s call on your life doesn’t fade with age; it ripens. Scripture reminds us: “They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green.” (Psalm 92:14) The wisdom you’ve gathered, the experiences you’ve lived, the compassion you’ve developed—these are treasures the world needs now more than ever. Practical Flow: Rekindling Passion in Retirement So how do you discover—or rediscover—your passion in this season? 1. Reflect on what moves you. Is it mentoring others? Creative expression? Service in your community? Travel? Prayer and deeper spiritual study? Pay attention to what stirs your soul. 2. Notice what brings tears or joy. Just as in earlier life, your emotions are signposts pointing you toward what matters. 3. Experiment with small steps. Volunteer for a cause that matters, pick up a creative project, or simply dedicate time each day to something you love. Often, passion grows when we give it space. And here’s the key: when you align with that passion, focus becomes effortless—even in retirement. It’s no longer about “filling time.” It’s about fulfilling purpose. Sharing Wisdom and Mentorship One of the greatest gifts of this season is the treasure chest of wisdom you’ve accumulated. The lessons you’ve learned through victories, failures, relationships, and life experience are not meant to stay hidden. Retirement can be the perfect time to mentor others—whether it’s guiding young professionals, supporting new parents, encouraging community leaders, or simply being a steady presence for friends and family. When you pour your wisdom into others, not only do you give them the gift of your experience, but you also find renewed focus and joy. Your story becomes a lantern that lights the path for someone else. Story Vignette Here’s an example of what I mean. A woman who had been a nurse for over 40 years. When she retired, she felt at first that she had stepped into a void—no patients to care for, no hospital buzzing around her. She said, “I didn’t know who I was without my scrubs.” But after some time of rest, she began volunteering at a local health clinic, mentoring young nurses who were just starting out. She didn’t have the long hours or stress anymore, but she still shared her wisdom, her calm presence, and her love for people. And she told me, “I feel more alive now than I did when I was working full-time.” That’s the beauty of mentoring: it’s not about doing more, but about being present with the gifts you already carry. Permission to Rest and Enjoy And let me say this clearly: retirement is also a time for rest. If you’ve spent decades working hard, raising families, or serving others, it is perfectly natural—and healthy—to take a season to do very little. To sleep in, to travel, to experience other cultures, or simply to enjoy the gift of unhurried time. There is no guilt in rest. In fact, rest is holy. Even God rested on the seventh day. So please don’t hear me saying you must keep “working.” What I’m inviting you into is not more labor, but more living. You may rest, you may play, and when you’re ready, you may discover new passions or ways to share your wisdom. Retirement gives you that freedom—the freedom to choose. Encouragement: Honoring the Gift of This Stage Too often, retirement is framed as slowing down, fading away, or simply living for leisure. But spiritually, it’s a season of harvest. You’ve sown much in your life—now you can pour your wisdom, love, and passion into what matters most. Imagine the clarity and energy you’d experience if you spent the majority of your time on the things closest to your heart. That is the invitation of this stage of life: not to retreat, but to shine in a new way. So, if you are retired—or nearing it—remember: passion and focus don’t retire. They simply take on a new form. The world still needs your fire, your vision, your compassion. This is not the time to step back from purpose—it’s the time to live it more fully, more freely, and more joyfully. May you embrace this season as a divine gift, a new chapter where your heart leads the way and your soul finds fresh expression. Until next time, may your passion guide your focus, and may your focus bring you into deeper joy and purpose each day. ___________________________________ Check out my book: You Were Born to Be a Christ But You Were Taught You Are a Sinner – Awaken to Who You Really Are Every so often you come across a book that fits into the current times. We know at some point we have to stop and take a serious look at our mental, emotional, and most importantly, our spiritual beliefs in order to navigate so many challenges. Nancy has done an excellent job of putting together a valuable spiritual narrative. I highly recommend this book and thoroughly enjoyed it myself. - International NY Times best-selling author Dannion Brinkley This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nancyshowalter.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome, friends, to today’s episode. Let me begin by asking you a simple question: Would you love to have more focus in life? We’ve all seen people who seem laser-focused—whether it’s an Olympic athlete in training, an entrepreneur building a business, or a musician pouring heart and soul into their craft. We admire them, maybe even wonder: “How do they do it? How do they stay so focused?” At first glance, we might think focus is all about discipline, sheer willpower, or even some superhuman quality. But the truth is simpler, and far more beautiful: focus comes from passion. When you care deeply about something, when your heart is stirred by a cause, a vision, or a purpose, focus is no longer forced. It flows. Storytelling: The Power of Caring Think about the last time you accomplished something really meaningful. Chances are, it wasn’t because you forced yourself with grit alone—it was because you cared. You cared enough to stay up late, to put in the hours, to endure the setbacks. Passion is the fuel that makes focus possible. And on the flip side, when we struggle with focus, it’s often because we haven’t found what really matters to us. Without that spark, life feels scattered. We might get through the motions, but our energy and attention drift. Spiritual traditions tell us that what we care about is not random—it is the whisper of the soul. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” When your treasure—your passion—lines up with your soul’s calling, focus comes naturally. Practical Flow: How to Find What You Truly Care About So how do we gain focus? Not by whipping ourselves into tighter discipline, but by discovering what we care about deeply enough to act upon. If you have not yet uncovered your passion, try this simple practice: * Make a list of the things that stir your heart. Not just hobbies, but causes, ideas, or possibilities that move you deeply. * Pay attention to what makes you cry, or what fills you with joy. Those emotions are signposts pointing you toward your passion. * Order that list by intensity. Which one rises to the top? Which one would you gladly give your time, energy, even your life to? When you find that passion, discipline takes a back seat. Focus becomes effortless. Spiritual Insight Now from a spiritual perspective, passion is divine fire. It’s the soul remembering why it came to earth. Passion stirs us to align with our higher purpose, and when we do, focus becomes not just a mental exercise but a sacred act. It is God within us saying, “This matters. Pay attention here.” And here’s the mystery: when we give our focus to what matters most, we are transformed. We no longer just move through life—we are moved by life. Encouragement & Expansion So if you’re struggling to focus in your career, your relationships, or your personal growth, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, see it as an invitation. Perhaps the Spirit is nudging you to realign, to discover what really matters. Because when you care enough—when your passion is ignited—you’ll find yourself in the perfect state of mind. Not anxious, not overwhelmed, but energized and compelled to act. And remember this truth: passion and focus don’t retire. They are timeless. No matter your age or stage in life, when you care deeply, your soul lights up with purpose. Today we’ve explored focus and passion for everyday life—for careers, families, and personal dreams. But I want to leave you with a preview: in our next episode, we’re going to explore what this looks like in retirement. Because retirement isn’t an ending—it’s a new beginning, a sacred season where passion and focus can be reborn in fresh and Gaining Focus: Caring Enough to Take Action powerful ways. So join me next time as we talk about Passion and Focus in Retirement: A New Season of Purpose. Until then, may you find what your heart truly cares about—and may that passion guide your focus into a life of joy and purpose. __________________________________ Check out my book: You Were Born to Be a Christ But You Were Taught You Are a Sinner – Awaken to Who You Really Are Every so often you come across a book that fits into the current times. We know at some point we have to stop and take a serious look at our mental, emotional, and most importantly, our spiritual beliefs in order to navigate so many challenges. Nancy has done an excellent job of putting together a valuable spiritual narrative. I highly recommend this book and thoroughly enjoyed it myself. - International NY Times best-selling author Dannion Brinkley This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nancyshowalter.substack.com/subscribe