Rev. Colleen Irwin

Spiritual Growth Starts with You

The hardest truth for so many is that spiritual growth starts with you.  Many seekers begin their spiritual journey hoping for guidance, support, and sometimes even miracles. And that’s natural! We all need help when opening to new abilities or exploring new truths.

But there’s a subtle shift that must happen for true growth:
Taking responsibility for developing your own gifts — without outsourcing your progress to others.

Why Spiritual Responsibility Matters

Spiritual growth isn’t a passive journey.  It’s an active partnership between you and Spirit.  When you expect others to “fix” or “do the work” for you, you risk:

• Becoming dependent on readings, teachers, or mentors
• Missing your own intuitive hits and inner guidance
• Delaying your own empowerment and confidence

Your gifts are yours to nurture, practice, and expand.

You Are the Primary Channel

Mediumship, energy healing, psychic work — all these gifts flow through you.  No one else can do your soul’s work for you.  Teachers and mentors can guide, hold space, and offer tools, but they don’t live your experiences.

Taking responsibility means:

• Showing up consistently for your own practice
• Trusting your inner voice over external opinions
• Reflecting honestly on your challenges and breakthroughs

Avoid the Trap of Spiritual Baggage

Sometimes, people look for quick fixes or “miracle cures” to develop their gifts. This can feel easier than facing fears, doubts, or past wounds.  But spiritual growth asks for courage — the courage to face yourself fully, even the parts you don’t want to see.

When you own your journey, you free yourself from blame, victimhood, or waiting for someone else to “make it happen.”

How to Embrace Your Spiritual Responsibility

• Create daily or weekly practice times. Even 5 minutes a day builds momentum.
• Journal your experiences, insights, and questions. This keeps you connected to your growth.
• Celebrate your progress, however small. Growth is not a race.
• Seek teachers who encourage your autonomy, not dependence.
• Set healthy boundaries around readings or guidance sessions. Use them as tools, not crutches.

Reflect & Journal: Own Your Spiritual Responsibility

• What does “spiritual responsibility” mean to me in my daily life?
• Where have I leaned too heavily on others to guide or develop my gifts?
• What small steps can I take this week to nurture my gifts independently?
• How do I recognize and honor my inner guidance?
• When have I felt most empowered in my spiritual practice? What helped create that feeling?
• What fears or doubts come up when I try to trust myself more fully?
• How can I celebrate my progress, even when it feels slow or imperfect?
• What boundaries can I set around spiritual guidance to maintain my autonomy?
• In what ways can I invite Spirit to partner with me, rather than wait for external help?
• How can I remind myself daily that I am the primary channel for my spiritual gifts?