False doors and open hearts

In a world where we often carry the weight of our past wounds, it’s easy to believe that our worth resides in the hurt we’ve endured. We find ourselves standing at a false door—a barrier created to protect our hearts but one that keeps us from truly seeing the depth of our potential and desires.

The path to self-discovery calls for balance and harmony with both our past and present. To grow, we must learn to walk away from the pain that no longer serves us, placing self-forgiveness at the forefront and releasing what binds us to the stories of who we once were.

We build walls around our hearts, thinking we’re shielding ourselves from harm. But these walls do more than protect—they isolate. While we may keep hurt out, we also block love, opportunity, and truth from coming in. Our journey is not about avoiding pain but about courageously facing it, knowing we are strong enough to endure and heal.

Harmony comes from understanding that our past does not define our worth. Every experience—joyful or painful—has shaped the incredible beings we are today. By reflecting on past experiences rather than clinging to them, we create space for new opportunities to flow into our lives.

When we stop guarding our hearts so fiercely, we begin to see clearly what we truly desire. Whether it’s love, purpose, or a deeper connection to our intuition, we allow ourselves to ask, “What do I truly want? What fulfills me?”

When we align with our inner truth and let our intuition guide our path, we find that desires born of fear fall away. What remains are the pursuits that light our souls on fire.

The most profound connections—both with others and with ourselves—come when we let down our walls and trust that the universe is guiding us toward our highest good. Healing is not about erasing the past but about integrating its lessons with grace and compassion.

Remember, your worth does not live in the wounds of yesterday but in the light you allow to shine today. You have the power to release, forgive, and align with your true self. The universe is waiting to meet you where you are, ready to co-create the life you desire.

The hidden grief behind our personal growth

I recently came across a quote by Té V Smith that said, “No one warns you about the amount of mourning in growth,” and it really hit home for me. Looking back on the peaks and valleys of my own journey, I realize just how true this is. Personal growth is often seen as something positive—
an exciting journey toward becoming the best version of ourselves. But after reading that quote, I felt it was important to talk about the part of growth that we don’t discuss enough: the mourning that comes with it.

As we pour time and energy into self-care, self-love, and self-worth, we naturally evolve. And with that evolution comes the release of old habits, shifts in our relationships, and versions of ourselves that no longer serve us. This process can definitely feel like a form of loss, and with it comes grief.

The spiritual journey is often portrayed as a path of light, peace, and harmony, and while that’s true, I believe the shadow parts of ourselves play an even greater role in helping us find that peace and harmony—it’s the darkness before the dawn, if you will. When we transition from one chapter of our lives to another, it can feel like letting go of the parts of ourselves we’ve clung to for comfort. Some of these parts have been with us for so long that it feels almost impossible to imagine life without them. Letting go can stir deep emotions, often bringing to the surface feelings we had buried, brushed under the rug or thought we had moved on from—without realizing there was more work to do.

When these emotions resurface, what I call ‘the pits of despair’ within myself can set in. There have been multiple times when I couldn’t stop crying for hours. And those in my inner circle know I’ve referred to it as the “Angelique Pity Party.” Maybe I’m being hard on myself in those moments, but that’s part of the process too. Feeling all the doom, gloom, and “why mes” can crack you open, as if you’re standing at the doorway to your soul, realizing, “Okay… it’s time to go.” You can’t hold on to this anymore if you want to move forward. And those tears, well, they become the beginning of transformation, of mourning. That’s how it’s been for me, and it’s something I’ve heard others talk about and go through as well.

But the mourning isn’t a sign of weakness or failure. It’s proof of the depth of the transformation we’re experiencing. It takes true courage to let go of the parts of ourselves that no longer serve us—the stuck parts or the pieces of our lives that just don’t fit anymore. While growth involves mourning, on the flip side, it brings resilience, wisdom, and a deeper connection to ourselves. Every time we release something that no longer serves us, we create space for new opportunities, healthier relationships, and the big one—more self-awareness. You find yourself in a state where you become “the forever student,” constantly evolving, and that’s something worth celebrating.

It’s important to remind ourselves that it’s okay to mourn our past, to feel the depth of that loss, but also to not lose sight of the beauty in what’s unfolding. Our spiritual journey is one of constant renewal. As my spirit guides once said to me, “Your awakening, my love, does not come but once. This is the path of many roads, many mountains. What you seek has never been lost, but the length of your journey to discover this, my dear, is completely up to you.” Powerful words I’ll never forget.

For those of you on the path of personal growth, know that you are not alone! Every soul experiences this duality—the grief of letting go and the joy of stepping into something new. Trust that your growth is unfolding as it’s meant to, even when it feels difficult. You have the courage and strength to navigate these changes and emerge more empowered, more aligned with your truest self.

Remember, the mourning is temporary, but the growth is eternal.

Life Lessons: Letting go of Judgement

Years ago, I made a commitment to work on judgment—not just in how I saw others, but especially in how I judged myself. Let me tell you, this is a vulnerable topic and wasn’t an easy task or a simple switch I could just flip on or off. The more I practiced self-awareness, the more I began to see judgment for what it truly is: a reflection of my own fears, insecurities, and old patterns of conditioning. Judgment often isn’t rooted in reality but in our fears of not being enough and not meeting the expectations of others. I felt this to be 100% true within myself and knew I had to ask myself: why was I hiding behind the fear of what others might think? And… Why was I constantly seeking their approval, even when it didn’t align with my true self?

As I began to challenge these thoughts, I discovered the incredible power behind self-compassion. I started treating myself with the same kindness I would offer a close friend. I also made a conscious effort to surround myself with people who uplift and inspire me. This decision was HUGE for me, especially after coming from a past where I often played the fixer-upper among a sea of takers. Choosing to shift to a more positive inner circle of relationships provided me with the support and courage to stay true to my values, even when doubt tried its best to creep in.

What I realized was that I wasn’t judging others nearly as harshly as I was judging myself. It became clear that the more I worried about external opinions, the more I held myself back from fully embracing who I truly am. I wasn’t standing in my own power!

What I’ve discovered along the way is that the key isn’t to eliminate judgment from our journey; as humans, that would be an almost impossible task—speaking for myself here—but rather to learn how to rise above it. The less you care about external opinions, the more you’ll embrace what truly matters—your true self. We all have so much to offer the world, and our authenticity is our superpower.

Every step we take toward silencing the voices of judgment, both external and internal, is a step closer to living in alignment with our highest self. The journey to embracing who we truly are may not always be easy, but it’s one of the most rewarding paths we can walk. Don’t let the fear of judgment dim your light. The world needs the real you, with all of your unique gifts, your voice, and your heart. Keep rising above, keep shining, and know that your authenticity is your greatest strength.

Poem: True North

Patient and calm, I dwell in the embrace of wonder and awe, my dreams surfing and gliding through the ocean of my thoughts. No shadow of dusk can dim my vision, for everything I desire shines brightly as I gaze beyond the windowpane. Yet, here I wait, the hands of time resting gently on my shoulders, anchoring me in this moment. It’s not a cage but an infinite horizon, where my feet are free to wander, discover, and experience each flicker of light anew. Anchored yet liberated, I’m a soul adrift with no map to guide me, no roads to confine me—only a compass gently cradled in my hand, guided by my inner north star.