Mindful Red Flags as You Walk Your Spiritual Journey
How to Recognize Them and Move Forward with Grace
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Walking the spiritual path is different for each one of us, but my personal story of spiritual transformation illustrates some of the typical challenges and obstacles – the “red flags” and “growing pains” – that come with spiritual growth. After being laid off from my teaching position in 1989 after fourteen years, losing my apartment building where I lived, having to go bankrupt (does any of this sound familiar?), I was led to my spiritual mentor with whom I worked closely every week for two years. As it is said, when you need a teacher, a teacher will appear. Ironically, these types of challenges when life seems the bleakest become our opportunities to grow if we choose to look at them as growing pains. The first line in Dr. Scott Peck’s book, The Road Less Traveled, states “Life is difficult.” I learned he is saying that if we realize this, that life is difficult and choose not to run away from it, face our difficulties, and challenges head on (seeing them as opportunities) it can teach us glorious things on the way to attaining bliss in our lives. I know what you may be thinking: Don Donini, I don’t need another opportunity. I get it, as I furiously told a therapist who had offered me that advice. I know you would never believe I needed therapy, right? But I found this to be true as I began to walk my path, and still find it true as I continue my spiritual journey. I also hear people say, well when I get there I will be happier, be blissful, find life easier. Sorry, but there is no place to “get to.” If you think that the path ends and that there is a final stop, it doesn’t. The spiritual journey is a lifelong process and not a destination. As Helen Keller once said, “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood. It is an ongoing venture and adventure to change and grow.” Please note, however, that it does get easier because we acquire more tools as we walk along our paths. Becoming aware of the red flags I talk about in this book will add more tools to help you over the rough spots. Of course, we must take action and use those tools to get the benefits. They do no good just sitting in our tool boxes. So what can you expect from this book? First, I emphatically teach that we must be open, ready and willing to have a better life. I suggest that you be open when reading this book – take what you want and leave the rest behind. When you start to judge this material, I suggest that you take a belly breath and discern what is your Truth, what is yours to learn before judging, what fits for you now as you walk your path. Discern through contemplation and meditation.
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About the Book
“I feel so alone.” “Am I where I’m supposed to be on my spiritual journey?” “Why am I so misunderstood?” “Am I doing this right?” Guided on his own spiritual path by the wisdom of teachers Louise Hay, Melody Beattie, Fr. Richard Rohr, Dr. Wayne Dwyer, and others, Don Donini seeks to make it easier for spiritual travelers to answer questions like these. Mindful Red Flags as You Walk Your Spiritual Journey is a guide to moving forward with grace past the “red flag” obstacles to continued spiritual growth. By sharing his own personal journey and lessons learned, Don shows the way to attaining more clarity, bliss, freedom, and joy even amid life’s challenges, struggles, and dark times. He speaks to readers from his heart with compassion, conviction, and touches of humor as both a wise teacher and kindred spirit every step of the way in the journey to finding one’s true self in the unconditional love of a personal God. “Don Donini offers wisdom to help a person live fully and fully live. Affirming, practical and positive, his spiritual guides are relevant for the young and old alike. At the conclusion of each chapter, there are affirmations that are easily integrated into your life and an opportunity to add to the conversation by giving feedback. Laced with humor, Don shares from deep personal depth and always with a heart of joy.” Marci Madary, D.Min. “Walking a spiritual path is not a straight line. There are curves along the way which Don calls red flags. They are not only warnings, but also invitations to deepen our spiritual resolve. Inspired by his own personal spiritual journey, Don shows you how to make wise choices along the way and live your truth.” Dr. James Zullo, Ph.D. “Don is as authentic as they come! He shares the richness of his spiritual journey in a way that is so accessible to all, including people from many different religions. Don encourages us to courageously choose the “red pill” of the reality of our humanity and unitive consciousness, and in doing so his book will help many to navigate the “Red Flags” of their spiritual journey.” Rev. Ed Kosak, Unity Church of Charleston, SC
About the Author
A seasoned teacher and spiritual counselor, Don Donini is a Licensed Unity Teacher (LT) from Unity School of Christianity. He is also a minister in The United Christian Fellowship, having been ordained by Rev. Richard Billings, Minister Emeritus, Unity of Oak Park, Oak Park, IL. Considered a highly creative “Renaissance Man” who has walked his spiritual journey in many experiences and professional realms, Don also holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL.