In the grand scheme of things, we all encounter spiritual obstacles. My personal journey is no exception. I had a very religious upbringing. Anything outside the chosen religion was seen as negative, wrong and often an act of witchcraft.

I don't know about you, but to a young mind, this causes confusion and conflict. I heard in Sunday mass the priest preach how this superior being (God, universe etc.) was all loving and merciful. That we were all his children. But the real world proved otherwise for this inquisitive mind. Why was it that within our family's religion we practiced this to the core yet when someone outside our religious views came by we intentionally segregated them. 

I became so confused and utterly out of sync with myself. Experiencing the greatest spiritual obstacle in my life. I shied away from sharing this with family and friend in fear of being judged. I somehow had made this story in my head of being abandoned by the very people I loved over my spiritual and religious views. 

Then one day when all seemed broken within my heart and soul, I came to a realization. A realization that would forever transform the way I viewed people. I was on my knees pleading to this higher source for mercy. Tears rolled down my cheeks like a broken water dam. Then, the light came on in my heart.

I realized that the spiritual obstacles I had encountered throughout my life were brought on by my own perception and judgment. Yes, we all have different views but there is nothing written in stone that I must follow one religion, practice or culture. True, we are born into these kinds of upbringings. Mostly to teach us how to go beyond the conventional.

I learned to see beyond the box of my own stereotypical upbringing. Break free from my self-imposed prison. The result was spiritually liberating. The ability to respect and embrace people for who they are rather their spiritual and religious choice was eye opening. Now i was truly experiencing on a deeper level the words I heard as a child "God (universe, higher being etc.) is all merciful and loving. We are all his children". This resonated with me on so many levels.

What I wish you, the reader, takes from my personal journey and experience is the possibility of seeing and respecting people for who they are. The results they produce in life. What do they do for others, rather than their chosen spiritual and religious practice? This simple exercise will resolve any form of spiritual obstacle. How? You will see everyone through the eyes of a mirror. Reflecting onto each one another. You will see no difference beyond the physical realm.

Have a question regarding this article or maybe you’d like to suggest a topic? Write to me at: m_arrieta@yahoo.com. Next article we’ll chat about Gratitude over Fear.

Marcela A. Arrieta is an alternative modality practitioner with over five years of experience in this field. She is also a successful entrepreneur who resides in Downey.