We hear it all the time. Be grateful. Think positively. Choose joy. Cultivate love, faith, and peace.

I love these practices! They're an important part of my spiritual life.

But is there a point where practicing gratitude becomes a way of avoiding what we're actually feeling?

Absolutely!

Spiritual Bypassing vs. Conscious Co-Creation

Spiritual bypassing happens when we use spiritual practices to avoid painful emotions, uncomfortable realities, or necessary action.

Sometimes life genuinely hurts. We experience grief, heartbreak, fear, and loss. Those feelings deserve our attention, not a cheerful affirmation slapped over them. ;D

When something hurts deeply, I use a practice I call emotional digestion. I allow myself to feel what's coming up, invite Spirit to help me move through it, and repeat the process when necessary.

But not every unpleasant emotion requires deep emotional processing.

Sometimes we're simply caught in habitual worry, complaining about an inconvenience, or desperately trying to figure out HOW everything will work out.

That's where conscious co-creation offers another possibility.

We can acknowledge our circumstances, pray, consciously cultivate gratitude and peace, surrender the HOW, and remain open to divine guidance.

A Personal Experience With Prayer and Gratitude

Back in 2014, my children and I were homeless for about two and a half months. We were staying with friends, and financially, things had been pretty rough.

My car was paid off, but I'd spent approximately $6,500 on unexpected repairs over nine months! At one point, someone's tire blew out in front of me, and I couldn't avoid hitting it. That little adventure cost $500 in towing and repairs. ;D

I kept thinking that once I paid off those bills, I'd finally get to enjoy not having a car payment!

So I certainly had plenty of reasons to worry. And sometimes I did.

But whenever worry crept in, I'd immediately return to prayer.

I'd imagine myself actually being in the presence of Spirit, thanking God for our perfect home delivered to us, under Grace and in perfect ways.

I'd stay in that prayerful connection until I genuinely felt my emotional state shift back into gratitude and peace.

Then I'd go about my day!

I wasn't constantly trying to maintain a particular feeling or thinking about my prayers. I was simply living my life. If worry returned, I'd pray again.

I knew the neighborhood where I'd love to live and hoped we'd have a home before the children returned to school. But I wasn't attached to either detail.

And I wasn't searching for rentals because I didn't have the money yet. Why would I? 😂

Then some remarkable things happened.

An intuitive nudge led me to find $10 beside my foot when I stepped out of my car at the post office.

Later, someone backed into my car in a parking lot, resulting in a $1,000 payment, exactly what I needed to rent an apartment.

Once I had the money, I could begin looking for our home.

And we were settled before the kids went back to school!

I couldn't have orchestrated those circumstances myself.

For me, this experience was a beautiful lesson in surrendering the HOW without surrendering my intention.

Gratitude Doesn't Mean Denying Reality

Conscious co-creation isn't pretending everything is wonderful.

It's acknowledging what IS while cultivating the feelings we'd have as if our prayers were already answered.

It's remaining open to guidance and taking action when the opportunity presents itself.

Whether we're calling forth physical healing, loving relationships, financial freedom, a peaceful home, or something else entirely, we don't have to know every step.

And sometimes the greatest transformation isn't in our circumstances at all. It's in who we're becoming along the way.

Would You Like Support on Your Journey?

If you're navigating something difficult or longing to create meaningful change in your life, I'd love to support you.

Through my private sessions at 11th Hour Shaman, I offer a sacred space for reflection, spiritual connection, emotional healing practices, and exploring conscious co-creation.

Call or text to connect with me: 480-259-7140

With love and blessings,

Theresa
11th Hour Shaman