It’s lovely to romanticize the idea of walking through life with the perfect partner that understands us completely and is by our side always, in a strong, unshakable unstated communion of ideals and identity.  However this representation of a soulmate is less common than we might believe. For those that are being guided on a spiritual path of growth (every single one us, whether we have yet recognized it or not), it’s usually not the case because our biggest life lessons come through relationship.

Our romantic partnerships are where we play out our karmas and have the opportunity to facilitate big personal change because our partners hold a mirror up to our actions. Our deepest work and growth doesn’t exclude having the perfect partner as our soulmate, yet our biggest opportunities for growth and evolution come when we are out of alignment, not when everything is seen through rose colored glasses, which often happens with soulmates.

Soulmates do help each other evolve, but it’s more so through a personal transmutation that is supportive, nurturing, and aspirational. With soulmates there is an easy, instant alignment, as if the two people have known each other for lifetimes, from the second they meet. These predestined soul contracts can be recognized immediately as a spark or a buzz of energy that happens upon meeting, or an instant ease and flow where the two beings feel curiously connected to each other simply at first glance. Enter the best friend.

Our friends help us navigate the ups and downs of our lives from a clear and supportive place. They help us see where we are wrong, cheer us on to take that next leap when we are in fear, and as all good soulmate do, will gently call us out when we are stubborn and resistant, and be there with us every step of the way to move beyond. They inherently know who we are, how we operate, or how we will react to something – because they are very similar in nature – and always have our best interest at heart when they give us advice.

They want the best for us and may even become frustrated with us when we’re stuck or refuse to see something that’s clear to them, simply because we are in resistance. They will help us to become the best person we can be in a completely unselfish manner.

Our soulmates also tangibly show us the best of our self that isn’t so easy to see because of our inner critic. They are the mirrors that reveal the good and the bad, which is much more visibly clear as it is emulated through another person. In this aspect, they can also be aspirational so we can live to our fullest expression of our soul contract. We love them, and we respect what they bring to the world.

Finally, no one better can help us sort through the emotional turmoil we feel when our karmas and life lessons are playing out with our romantic partners and families, because our soulmate understands us like no one else does. Their perspective on any situation is removed from our own emotionality, yet they know how to navigate the situation in the same way we would. We trust them inherently, and it’s not a mental decision to do so, it’s simply our soul – level connection and communion. They are another heart, brain, and energy field that can help us navigate the world and our spiritual growth in a way that feels familiar, right and comfortable, so we trust them implicitly.

Written for – but not picked up by – Aglow Lifestyle