Spiritually Hungry

In the age of dating apps and social media, many of us can fall into the illusion that the ‘grass is greener’ and lose appreciation for the relationship we already have. Or, conversely, we may so fear losing our relationship that we hide our true thoughts and selves from our partner. Join Monica and Michael as they answer listener questions and reveal how to break free from unproductive behavior and grow appreciation for your relationship by investing more time and effort into its every facet."The relationships that work are the ones we work on." – Monica Berg

How do we know whether we are making healthy compromises or devastating sacrifices in our romantic lives? Whether coupled up or single and dating, COVID has had an impact on all relationships. The truth is most couples struggle to communicate effectively about their needs, often setting them aside in order to keep the peace. Join Monica and Michael as they explore how we can move past the “almost” and create the fulfilling relationships we desire.“Ask yourself how you might be stuck in the ‘almost’ in some area of your life, whether it’s a relationship or work or family. Look for the places where things are not great, but not terrible either, areas that are ‘close enough.’ What can you do to make yourself uncomfortable, not for its own sake, but in order to create the relationship you desire?” - Monica Berg

Holidays often represent what we wish our everyday life could be like. Many of us strive to create picture-perfect memories that will leave us feeling joyful long after the celebrations have passed. What do we do when fantasy doesn’t match reality? The truth is, many aspects of holiday gatherings are out of our control. Tune in as Monica and Michael discuss how to cultivate holiday joy on a daily basis instead of trying to fit it into a single day or week. “Every single day, no matter what day it happens to be on the calendar, is an opportunity to appreciate and spend our time exactly as we wish to. Every day becomes an opportunity to redefine how we live and what we choose to focus on.” – Monica Berg

Disappointments in life arise when the outcome of a situation doesn’t match our expectations. We often forget that this is all part of the process. Detours, obstacles, and setbacks are important opportunities to learn. We can’t experience fulfillment without them! How do we reconcile the discrepancy between what could have been and what is, and what others expect of us and what we expect of ourselves. Tune in as Monica and Michael discuss how to get comfortable with disappointment so we can find fulfillment in the process. “My true consciousness about my life is that the whole of it is all blessed. The clarity of consciousness is that my life is a whole, and that whole includes the blessings and it includes the disappointments.” – Michael BergFurther Readings:Harvard Business Review, “Dealing with Disappointment” by Manfred F. R. Kets de Vrieshttps://hbr.org/2018/08/dealing-with-disappointment

In a world where likes, hearts, and a little blue thumbs-up are considered the epitome of success, it’s so hard to remember that being a good person is its own reward. All too often, our acts of sharing come with strings attached. We expect praise or recognition for doing the right thing, but to be a spiritual person is to share for the sake of sharing. Listen as Monica and Michael discuss letting go of the need for praise and developing an unmovable understanding that you are a spark of the Divine. “Spiritually speaking, the highest form of recognition is between us, our soul, and the Creator. This form of recognition is completely concealed, and only we know whether or not it is happening, and that’s the beauty of it.” – Monica BergFurther Readings:Punished by Rewards, by Alfie Kohn

How do we stay positive when our bodies need to heal? Physical recovery can be a powerful time of transformation. But it can also be very stressful when the outcome is uncertain, leaving us feeling like we are missing out on life and opportunities. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael discuss how to shift your internal dialog from “Why is this happening?” to “What do I need to learn from this?” Tune in as they examine the ways circumstances can push us towards greater growth and fulfillment in the midst of physical rest.  “You are not missing out on life, you are just experiencing a phase of life that doesn’t feel great in the moment. But there’s a gift in the experience. Resting and healing is its own form of productivity.” – Monica BergFurther Readings:Happiness by Design, by Paul Dolan PhD

How do we maintain equilibrium and stay true to ourselves in the midst of an emotionally fraught situation? How do we navigate empathy without getting dragged into someone else’s emotional turmoil? Emotions are contagious and the people around us can be some of the most influential factors in determining our state of wellbeing. By reframing our challenging relationships and realizing that every person and every situation in our lives has a purpose, we can see negative interactions as an opportunity to grow. Tune in as Monica and Michael share tips and tools for staying centered and avoiding the influence of negativity around us, so we continue working towards the person we ultimately want to be.“We are the arbiters of what is right or wrong for ourselves. Part of our spiritual development is to everyday care less and less about what strangers, as well as people in our lives, think of us. ” – Michael Berg

Did you know that you have a superpower? Our sense of intuition, that gut feeling we sometimes get in various aspects of life, is rooted in the energy of the universe and gives us the power to see beyond the logic and facts in front of us. Intuition helps us identify red flags to keep us safe and illuminates hidden messages from the universe to steer us in the direction we want to go. When we put in the spiritual work to live a life of purpose, our intuition strengthens, helping us make the right choices and receive the answers we seek. Tune in as Monica and Michael share tips and tools for developing our intuition, which, in turn, leads us away from our ego’s wishes and towards the true desires of our soul. Often, our intuition is right even when our logic says the complete opposite. – Michael BergFurther readings: The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb

As Monica prepares to go into surgery, a thoughtful messenger profoundly shifts her perspective, alleviating her anxieties in a single moment. Sometimes the words we need to hear can come from the most unexpected places. Messages from the universe are all around us, if only we are open to hearing them. Further, we can never truly know the impact our words can have upon others. As such, every moment counts. Everything we do matters. Listen as Monica and Michael discuss how we can hear the messages the universe means to give us, while also becoming a better messenger for those around us, and how the most seemingly-random of interactions can lead one or both parties to a life-changing moment. There are no coincidences; every moment you can give and receive impactful, lasting Light, wisdom, and inspiration, even in the small things. – Michael Berg

What is ‘truth’? Most of the truths we believe are usually derived from our personal experiences and perceptions – so are they really true? Does ‘absolute truth’ even exist? Listen as Monica and Michael share how we can always ‘live our truth’ by letting go of the ego-based illusions the world hurls at us and, instead, reveal our potential by behaving in accordance with our soul in deep authenticity.  In our world, truth is concealed by veils – our work is to pierce through these veils. – Michael Berg Further readings: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman