Spiritually Hungry

Navigating young adulthood can feel like a journey through the wilderness. Our youth have big dreams and goals, yet they often avoid choices that lead to discomfort. In truth, it is discomfort that sparks growth and moves us closer to our highest purpose. Join us as Monica and Michael discuss how we can support our young people so they can fall and rise with purpose.“You cannot truly rise without falling first. But there is a way to stumble with intention, to fall and rise with purpose.” – Monica Berg

Those of us who bulldoze through life often think we know what is best for ourselves. We speed ahead as we attempt to achieve goals that may not be in alignment with our life’s highest purpose. In truth, no amount of bulldozing will help you achieve your desired outcome. The question is, how do we know when to persevere through obstacles and when to slow down? How do we know when it’s time to take the foot off the accelerator and change course? In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, listen as Monica and Michael unpack the tools we need to stop bulldozing our way through life. “My number one priority in life is not my to-do list or accomplishments. Rather, it is to make sure that I reveal my soul’s Light and my soul’s purpose in this world.” – Michael Berg

Is there meaning in coincidence? Are they really messages we are meant to receive? Or are we seeing more than is actually there as we try to make sense of our lives? Kabbalah teaches us that there is a cause for all occurrences in our lives, whether we see it or not. And while there is no black and white way to approach coincidences, we hold the power to ascribe meaning to them, or lack thereof. Tune in as Monica and Michael discuss the strength, perspective, and support that divine messages can bring to our lives.“Everything is meant for your greatest good. What is powerful about transforming our view of coincidences is that it makes life richer and more meaningful.” – Michael BergFurther Readings:-      Synchronicity: An Acausal Connecting Principle by Carl G. Jung-      Thirty Years that Shook Physics: The Story of Quantum Theory by Dr. George Gamow

Being a good and effective leader means being of service. However, serving others isn't as dazzling as being a boss, CEO, or director. Good leadership can be messy because it's about doing the work alongside others, sharing, taking responsibility for the growth and impact of your team. Do you see yourself as a leader? If so, how are your actions inspiring others to transform? Join Monica and Michael as they sort through these powerful questions about what it means to fulfill your potential and step into leadership."People think that being a leader is being at the pinnacle, at the top, and they are leading others toward the top. That's not the case. A leader is someone who is in the process, as well, but their desires or clarity may be stronger than everybody else." - Michael Berg

Studies show that approximately 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail. So, how do we gain the clarity we need to spark continuous growth and change in the new year? How do we successfully become the person we want to be? When we reflect back on the past year, what is worth taking with us into the new year and what are we ready to leave behind? Gratitude may be one of the most powerful paths to achieving our goals. But there is so much more. Join Monica and Michael as they discuss ten tools for finding fulfillment in 2022. “Begin with a canvas of gratitude. Starting with gratitude is not just a nice or spiritual thing to do. It gives you the clarity and strength to create real change.” – Michael Berg

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