Not too long ago I was sitting on my couch eating some popcorn when I got the call. A colleague of mine told me about the Watkins Spiritual 100 List of 2013 and told me one of our mutual colleagues had made the list. In an instant I pondered to myself, “Gee, I wonder what it would be like to be on that list or what the list actually means.” I never thought in the next breath he would say to me, “Guess who’s number 95?” I had no idea and he did not give me much time to respond before he said, “You!”
I had been included on a list with some extraordinary people. Instead of being filled with grace and thinking how great that was, I instantly went into panic mode because I wasn’t being perfect.
Here I was eating popcorn and working on launching Weight Release Energetix® and my perfectionism piece woke up and I thought, “How can I be on a list when I’m not perfect? Oh my god, they’re going to find out.”
That’s where my mind went first and then after I worked through it, I realized it didn’t magically change my day except remind me that I was responsible and accountable for my behavior, my actions, my thoughts, and being the best me and the best version of me that I could on a day-to-day basis.
The reason I made it to that list was the opposite of perfectionism. During my career I’ve had to be willing to talk about the things that haven’t worked and the suffering that I’ve undergone and how I overcame it.
Wisdom comes from integrative experience and that means in order for you to overcome something you had to go through the suffering. So it reminded me that life was an evolution of experience and always will be and that just because you end up on a list doesn’t mean that you have a secret and a special hotline to God or to Spirit. In fact, it just shows that you were willing to talk about the very human things that all of us go through and you are willing to use your life as a teaching tool for other people.
Ultimately we are all in this together and my realization was that this was all about being willing to constantly self-evaluate and become the better version of yourself and to recognize that when you stumble you’re not a complete failure.
The other thing I thought to myself was, “What if I was not included on this list with all these people?” Would it have made an iota of difference? At the end of the day, being on the list or not being on the list was not the reason why I was feeling I had value that day.
Love and blessings,
Colette Baron-Reid
Intuitive Counselor
If you have a question you would like to ask Colette, write to her at AskColette@ColetteBaronReid.com. All published questions and answers will be anonymous – we honor and protect your privacy.
It’s funny Colette, the first thing I thought when I was reading this was “what’s wrong with eating popcorn?” Skinny people eat too. You are a gifted intuitive and deserve to be on the list. Thanks for all you do.
omg love it ! thanx for writing xoox
Congratulations Colette, I can empathize as I went through a similar feeling this week. I got a very good job offer last week (you actually saw me in this position over a reading I had with you last year), and went into panic and sadness over a change in my position, instead of rejoicing. Its amazing how fears relating to deserving and perfection continues to reside deep inside us.
Thanx for writing and sharing your experience too. Congrats on the job! xoxo
Your authenticity is part of what has shaped me in who I am today. I have followed you for years and taken some of your online classes. We have a few mutual personal friends (not Facebook fakey friends, but real people) and I hope to connect with you personally some day as well. I love you for being exactly who you are. Thank you Colette for NOT being perfect. That is perfection in my eyes!
blessings to you – well at least I will never disappoint given imperfection will be with me for ever…lolol. hugs
I just noticed I posted this at 11:11 and then I glance to the right of your page and see the 11:11 link. Hmmmm…! Maybe it’s time for a consultation with Tania Gabrielle!
aha! it is a sacred numeric configuration that reminds us we are in the company of angels
Dear Collette! On a list or not, your teachings gives me “food” for my mind and soul 🙂 Whenever i read something of you, i am reminded that i am not alone, in anything. None of us are. Be blessed! <3 <3 <3 . Renèe
thankyou so much for this, knowing I have made a difference means more to me than being on a “special list” ! xoox
Thanks for sharing and congratulation. I’ve only just found you on Facebook and am grateful for your the inspirations you share!! Our paths have not crossed in many years, however hoping this year they just may….. You’ve come a long way and that in-itself is also an inspiration to all!!!! Thanks Colette
thanx so much for writing ! xoxo
Congratulations! Well deserved and your outlook is refreshing and reminds us that we need to remember that no one is perfect and that it is okay. As long as you live from the energy of love and lead by example and strive to be the best we can, then we have done what we came here to do.
Keep up the amazing work! Your strength and perservance has been a shinging example to me and many others. I truly appreciate it.
Living from the energy of Love,
Diana
big blessings to you oxoxo
I find you to be a very powerful uplifting women, I love listening to you because you give me hope in my life. I myself, have a chance to move from Chicago to Florida, and It is a bittersweet happiness.Unfortuntly,this has sent me in hyper-panic mode with severe anxiety. Even though our panic mode is different, I deeply understand how you felt. I think your wonderful!
thanx for writing -good luck on your move, this change feels good….
Hi Colette
I can relate to this ,i have battled a fe years with thinking that i am an imposter and that spirit has chosen me and its ,mistaken identity , its lovely for you to admit this , because it inspires me to carry on and just get on with it and know that those feelings that i am not good enough , might still be around as i progress , but that its ok and to just keep going and its lovely to see people walking their talk , honesty and telling people your own struggles on your path , is what i do too , and its a great example for others , wow you so deserve to be on that list , all that hard work and dedication has been rewarded and acknowledged , hopefully you will go further up the list next time , keep doing what you do , because you do it so well , Much Love Lynn xxx
Thanx for writing Lynn – it’s a funny thing these lists and what they bring out in us- pride in reverse is just as challenging as hubris! I think at some level what we feel is true, but only at the level of the ego self that’s the real “fraud.When I do readings I am only clear when I step away from my “self” – the part of me that identifies with my being on the earth etc. I always pray to be ” relieved of the bondage of self”- that, ” of myself I am nothing – Spirit doeth the works”
When I can step away with detachment and humility it’s about remembering that the Soul is so much greater than the ego, and it’s that connection to the higher consciousness of Spirit,- the spark within us that’s directly connected to Source, not separate from, as the ego self would have us believe. Yet this is why we’re here, isnt’t it? The challenge for each and every one of us to be reminded that there’s greater purpose for all of us, each in our own unique way, no better no worse than the others, every one of us acting as a teaching tool for others.
I’m reminded frequently that I’m just a work in progress I know only moments of that surrendered detachment when I can look around in awe and know that all is a miracle of creation, and that my steps are in harmony only then, but when I stumble, and become blind again, I can always find my way home, even if I’ve screwed up,there is always hope…
I love and respect you because you are REAL! It is clear that you are able to talk-the-talk because you have actually walked-the-walk. Your authenticity shines through to everyone and gives us a light to follow so that we may also be able to shine authentically. Many blessings to you as you continue to share your journey through life…including the bumps along the way! 🙂
thanx Marsha – hugs!
Dearest Colette, Congratulations on making the top 100 list! I think what we all love about you is your chidlike honesty & that we can also relate to your humanness, which encompasses imperfection. None of us should walk in shame, for none of us walk in perfection.
Thank you for the reading you & Doug gave to me this past Tuesday. Although what you told me seems far fetched right now, it would be oh so heavenly if it would actually come true. I’ve waited long enough already 🙂 Trying to look towards a ‘new dawn’ amidst the darkness.
Love & Light,
Phyllis
big big love to you Phyllis xoox
So deserved! You SHOULD be on the list! I know what you mean. Why is that we always go to not being good enough, perfect or deserving? Not only are you gifted and belong there, you have worked hard to be there. Way to go GF!
XXOOXX
hugs, Jean
Jean! You are so sweet to be such a cheerleader and I’m really touched you wrote xoox
I love that you are in the top 100. You deserve it!! You are an amazing teacher and student all in the same breath as are each of us. It is in the sharing of our imperfectional experiences that help ourselves and each other grow. Thank you always for all of your guidance. It is invaluable as are you!! Love you..xo
yep yep you got it – I’m a non graduating student of life and will always be one and I think my calling has always been to talk about the human journey as it evolves for all of us- how can any of us know how to overcome something we haven’t personally experienced? Then it’s just theory. Wisdom comes from integrating the suffering with the overcoming and the steps in between….. xoox
Congratulations, Colette! I am thrilled for you for all your success, and I am grateful for all the wonderful help you’ve given over the years, and continue to give to me through your postings and blog!!
David thank you SO much for writing. BIG BIG HUG oxoxo
Thanks, Colette, for sharing. Funny how the obsession with perfection is a part of the ego-mind. I can relate to that pressure that is felt for a brief time – the horrifying pedestal. Then we melt back down from the icy freeze and carry on. You have done that so graciously. So, that being said…. What a thrill for you! I knew you’d be recognized for all of your amazing work. I love all of your books and cards! They have (and continue to) inspire me and guide me on my interesting journey!
Cheers, from a fellow Canuck who does readings in the sub-arctic of Canada!!!
thanx for writing from waaaay up there !! big hug oxox
When asked how she manages to sit and write a book with ADHD, Mona Lisa Schulz responded to the effect that empathy motivated her towards completing a work that would serve others.
Auto-immunes are rampant among sensitives, and in a 1975 publication on Adrenal Syndrome, Poesnecker (N.D., D.C) wrote: If I could describe the hypoadrenal patient in one single word, that would be “sensitive.” He is cognizant of all that is around him, and he feels an over-conscientous sense of responsibility about those near and dear to him and even about the whole world. This person’s nervous and glandular systems are delicately balanced; yet he is willing to take the cares of the world on his own shoulders.”
It is well in line, as far as I know with Śakta-Śaiva Dharma (from which all schools of Tantra have come, including Tibetan Buddhism) that which is worth doing, is worth doing well.
Re: willingness to share your own life as a teaching tool for others.
I can totally relate, and I completely agree.
I heard you on Chris Reburn’s show and Karen Hagar’s show I think, talking about your weight loss book. I am so glad you’re bringing this up in larger arenas. I was writing about cravings and the energetic properties of food last year, when I was figuring out that sugar or fat cravings are often just a need to ground, energetically.
I was vegan for a few years, and it didn’t jive with me, energetically, which would have been convenient for me as an animal communicator – but even before I went vegan I was aware of the difference in feeling and taste between an animal that had lived a terrible life and one that had lived a fulfilled life, and died humanely, treated with respect.
It’s very cool – I’m looking forward to reading your book!
~ thank you for all your work, Kate
hey Kate – me too vegan for 5 and a half years and I sobbed my eyes out when I had my first steak but I eat cruelty free from small local farms where the animals are well taken care of. It’s crazy making isn’t it? All this sensitivity and its never perfect but I’ve discovered some interesting ways to remain manageable at least.BIg hug.. blessings to you for your work too. xooxox
Dear Colette,
I have watched you grow and transition from a pure readings- practice to bubbly radio show host to best selling author and lfie coach/weightloss expert extraordinaire. What fantastic growth and development you have shown. You certainly deserve to make that list, because you always speak from the heart. Congratulations! Hugs from Germany
Anne
Laughing right now, because I was just eating popcorn before I read this, and I literally hadn’t had any in months! OF COURSE you should be on the list!! My question for them is why aren’t you higher on it??!! Thank you for being your fabulous imperfect self =)