Monica Berg's Blog, page 4

Taurus: Comfortable Discomfort

Taurus is known as the month of healing.

Whether it’s our relationships, our health—mental, physical, or emotional—or our finances, healing is an act of giving our loving energy to the things we wish to change. It is a choice, whether conscious or unconscious, to open up to what is possible. The month of Taurus offers us the perfect cosmic opportunity to do just that.

Every month carries both shadow and light. Taurus, symbolized by the bull, is no exception. On the shadow side, there’s stubbornness, resistance to change, and a love of comfort that can border on addiction. But the light of Taurus is undeniable: a reverence for beauty, a natural propensity for serenity, unshakable loyalty, and a heart free from judgment.

This month invites us to explore both. To recognize where we are resisting change in favor of comfort, and to ask ourselves if that comfort is really serving us. Change, especially the uncomfortable kind, is not just a tool for growth—it’s a prerequisite for a life that’s truly joyful. It requires effort from us, though. And I don’t mean the effort we might expend forcing a specific outcome, I mean the effort required to practice adaptability.

Adaptability is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “the quality of being able to adjust to new conditions.” But the secondary usage is even more inspiring to me:

The capacity to be modified for a new use or purpose.

Think of this definition in the context of some of the most famous stories of adaptability:

Take Oprah Winfrey. She was fired from her first news anchor job for being “too emotional,” but instead of quitting, she adapted by leaning into her emotional intelligence. She pivoted into talk shows, became a global media mogul, and turned empathy into her superpower.

Of course, there’s Steve Jobs. After being ousted from the very company he co-founded, he certainly didn’t wallow—he innovated. He launched new ventures like NeXT and Pixar, eventually leading to his return to Apple and the creation of the iPhone. His ability to reinvent himself shaped the future of technology (and all of our lives!)

Maya Angelou may have become a national icon, but only after growing through an experience of intense trauma that caused her not to speak for nearly five years as a child. She worked to reclaim her voice through writing and became one of the most celebrated poets of her generation. Her adaptability wasn’t just survival—it became a lifelong work of art, truth, and healing.

Adaptability is a superpower. It leads us to our purpose.

When we stop resisting change and instead meet it with curiosity, we practice getting comfortable with discomfort. Our transformation becomes less about striving and more about unfolding. Taurus energy, though rooted and earthy, doesn’t ask us to be rigid—it asks us to be grounded. From that rooted place, we can reach, stretch, and expand.

This month, think about what you’re carrying.

Are there relationships in your life that feel stuck or stagnant?

Emotions you’ve been avoiding—grief, regret, resentment?

Stories about who you are or what you’re capable of that no longer fit?

Taurus offers us a chance to lay them down. Not in judgment, but in love. We can still seek comfort, but let it be the kind that nourishes the soul, not the kind that keeps us small. We can still honor beauty, but let it include the broken, the messy, the in-between. Let this be the month you open yourself to necessary, inspired change. Practice radical adaptability. Trust that it’s not the events themselves that define us—it’s how we choose to respond.

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The Midlife Makeover

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Pesach: What Are You a Slave To?

If you ask a thousand people what freedom means to them, you’ll hear a thousand different answers.

Some will say it’s health. Others will say it’s finding love—or letting go of a relationship that no longer serves them. Some will point to financial success, career breakthroughs, or even just having more time.

And there’s nothing wrong with wanting these things. They’re beautiful, worthy aspirations and we all deserve to experience the fulfillment they can bring. But, they do not equal freedom. They might bring relief, enjoyment, or a temporary sense of satisfaction—but they don’t guarantee the kind of freedom that nourishes the soul. Real freedom is something else entirely.

Freedom is the absence of internal chaos. It’s the ability to move through life untethered from the voices in your head that say, You’re not enough. You’re not there yet. You can’t be happy until… these are the negative echoes of the ego and true liberation means transcending the ego—in our thoughts, beliefs, words, and actions.

The kabbalists teach that each year, the cosmic window of time that Pesach provides offers us a powerful opportunity to disconnect completely from the ego—which is the root of all negativity. The ego is what keeps us tethered to thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that lower our consciousness, create division between ourselves and others, and sever our connection to our true essence and the Creator. During the week of Pesach, we can transcend the ego and achieve complete alignment with the Light of the Creator—a total separation from darkness, chaos, and pain—through elevating our consciousness.

You can begin by asking these questions:

What are you a slave to?

Is it how you look?

How much you earn?
Your relationship status?
Pleasing your family or your friends?
Your job title?
The approval of others?

Take a moment to really examine it. Where have you handed your sovereignty over to something—or someone—outside of yourself?

It reminded me of a moment with my family around the dinner table. My oldest son, David, asked all of us, his siblings included, something unexpected:

“What do you think is my worst trait?”

I was stunned. Who asks that? It was such a raw, brave, vulnerable thing to say—especially in a group setting. It’s the kind of question I would’ve never dared ask when I was younger, back when I was terrified of negative feedback (even though it ended up finding its way to me anyway).

But in that moment, I was moved. I remember thinking, I want to be like that. That open. That courageous.

We all answered eventually—some of us more gingerly than others—but I was silently praying that everyone would be gentle. Honest, yes. But also kind. Everyone gave their answers, except Josh. David gently pressed him to speak, really encouraging him to share.

Finally, Josh replied, “Nothing matters to you.”

It hit like a dart. At first, it felt harsh. But as with most of Josh’s insights, there was something profound underneath it—something true. What we all came to understand was that sometimes, in the pursuit of goals and growth and achievement, it’s easy to lose sight of the people and things that matter most. It’s easy to forget our deeper connections. To each other. To the present moment. To your essence. To the Creator.

I’m not saying that’s what David was doing, but it’s a trap any of us can fall into—especially when we become overly focused on material things or circumstances.

And we can’t be free and trapped at the same time.

As we move into Pesach, we’re invited into a powerful moment. A spiritual 24-hour window where the gates are wide open. It is a perfect time to observe our thoughts—really observe them.

Are they kind, or impatient?
Are they full of gratitude, or anxiety?
Are they rooted in soul, or hijacked by ego?

Use this sacred window to catch the slippery thoughts that whisper:

“If only this one thing were different, then I’d be happy.”
“Once I have [fill in the blank], everything will finally fall into place.”
“Why hasn’t the Creator answered my prayers yet?”

But what if the Creator has? What if you were happy, right now? What if everything was perfect right now, today?

Can you see what you already have as miraculous?

This Pesach, we have the opportunity to set ourselves free from the bonds of the ego and the false lens of negativity. A chance to exit our own personal Egypt. Let’s stop being slaves to what we think we lack. Let’s stop waiting for the perfect conditions before we give ourselves permission to feel peace. Let’s return to what’s already here. To what’s already enough.

That is real freedom.

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The Fastest Way to Forget Your Blessings

In Atlas of the Heart, Brené Brown shares that swimming is her happy place—it’s where she gets her magical trifecta: exercise, meditation, and alone time. But she admits that the moment she starts looking at the swimmer in the next lane, she loses it. Suddenly, she’s racing, comparing strokes, wondering whose workout is better. The moment comparison creeps in, the peace is totally gone.

Comparison is known as the thief of joy for a reason.

She explains in this particular section, though, that our brains are wired for comparison. It helps us build context and make meaning. When we see someone doing something we admire—living boldly, creating freely, parenting gently—it can ignite something in us. A little inner nudge that says, “Hey, I like that. Maybe I can do that too.” But when left unchecked, it lives us to it’s joy-stealing moniker. Brown defines comparison as “the crush of conformity from one side and competition from the other.” In her words, it’s the inner message that says, “Be like everyone else—but better.”

We compare our bodies, our parenting, our careers, our homes, our vacations, our relationships, and even our healing journeys. And then we wonder why we feel anxious, small, and stuck. But here’s the real kicker: comparison blinds us to the truth of how amazing our lives already are. It warps our perception so we can’t see the beauty in front of us. The love. The progress. The gifts and blessings that are quietly blooming in our lives every day.

Anytime we find ourselves in comparison mode, we aren’t just disconnecting from our blessings—we are completely forgetting them.

Luckily, we stop this train right in its deceptive tracks by becoming mindful and noticing when we’re in the grips of compare and despair. Here are three simple but powerful practices to help you come back home to yourself and your blessings:

Catch the Comparison in the Act

Comparison is sneaky, but it leaves a trail. You’ll usually find it right after a scroll session or a conversation that leaves you feeling “less than.” Notice how it shows up for you. Is it in your body—a tight chest, a sinking stomach? Or maybe a voice that says, “Why don’t I have that?”

Awareness is the first antidote. Once you catch it, you can name it:
“Ah, I’m comparing right now. That’s why I feel this way.”
Naming it interrupts the trance and gives you a moment to choose a different thought.

Practice Blessing What You Envy

This one is powerful. When you catch yourself comparing, try this: instead of resenting or envying the person, bless them. Say, “I’m so glad that’s possible for them. May it be possible for me too.” Or even, “Wow, look at what’s possible in this world.”

Jealousy shows you where your desires live. Blessing those desires in others transforms comparison into inspiration. It reconnects you to abundance instead of lack.

Remember Your Unique Soul

Kabbalists teach that our internal goals are what truly shape our lives. These are goals we create about who we want to be—how we want to think, speak, and act. While external goals are important, they’re secondary to the inner work. The only person you need to measure yourself up against is the person you have the potential to become.

Kabbalah tells us that no two souls are alike. That means every human being has a unique soul with its own unique purpose. We are all here to transform in different ways and express/share different gifts in different ways in this world. In this context, it becomes instantly pointless to compare yourself to someone else because their purpose is entirely different from yours and vice versa.

At its core, comparison is a trick of the ego. It spins an intoxicating (and toxic) delusion that tells you there’s not enough. That you’re not enough. But your soul knows the truth: you are already walking a path lined with miracles that is meant for you and you alone.

So the next time comparison starts whispering in your ear, pause. Breathe. Remember what’s real in your life. And come back home to you: your blessings, your life, and your radiantly unique soul.

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Pekudei: Creating an Essence for the Light to Dwell Within

Often we think we need to make a huge impact in order to give meaning to our life, but Monica shares that it is in the way we show up for the process itself that creates our essence and a deep connection with the Light to dwell within us.

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Chick Chat

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Vayakhel: Elevating Our Truest Desires

The kabbalists teach that anything we pray for we should receive. Join Monica as she explains how we can transform and elevate our desires so that all of our prayers may be answered.

Recorded Live at the Spiritually Hungry Retreat in Rome, Italy 2025

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Move with Heart

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Aries: An Individual For the Collective

The month of Aries, more than any other month in the year, grants us the ability to change and shape our destiny. According to Rav Isaac Luria, known as The Ari, the first 12 days of Aries correspond to each of the 12 months of the year, offering us a road map of sorts—daily directions for altering, what Kabbalist Rav Berg referred to as, “our outcome.” Aligning with the energy of each day helps us plant seeds of positivity throughout the year.

Aries is a month of fiery ambition, bold new beginnings, and unshakable determination. It’s a time when the focus naturally shifts to the self—our desires, our goals, and our personal journey. This might seem at odds with the collectivist idea that the well-being of the group is more important than individual needs, but Aries challenges us to reconcile these two perspectives.

Social scientists often explore the tension between individualism and collectivism, two cultural orientations that shape the way we think, behave, and interact with others. Western cultures tend to prize individualism—personal autonomy, self-expression, and achievement. Meanwhile, many Eastern and Indigenous cultures emphasize collectivism—harmony, community, and interdependence. Neither one is better than the other and, in fact, both are necessary for a balanced and meaningful life.

Aries energy is pure, unfiltered individualism. It is the leader, the trailblazer, the one who refuses to ask for permission before forging ahead. This makes Aries an incredible force for change, innovation, and leadership. But it also comes with a catch: when taken to the extreme, Aries energy can become self-centered, reckless, and disconnected from the collective.

Societies function best when people care for one another, but where does self-interest fit in? In psychology, self-interest isn’t inherently bad; it’s a survival mechanism. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs suggests that self-actualization (the highest level of human fulfillment) can only be reached after addressing basic needs like safety and belonging. In other words, taking care of oneself is not at odds with helping others—it’s a prerequisite for it.

The danger comes when we conflate self-interest with selfishness. Selfishness disregards the collective entirely. It prioritizes one’s own desires at the expense of others. Self-interest, however, allows for a balance between the individual and the group. Consider these examples:

The young mother who prioritizes her family but leaves herself last is exhausted and irritable—unable to show up fully for the people she loves.The CEO who overcommits to their professional life watches their personal and family life crumble, making them less effective at work.The student who prioritizes socializing over studying struggles to pass classes, jeopardizing their own future.

These are examples of people who look like they’re sacrificing for others but are actually sacrificing themselves. A collectivist mindset taken to an unhealthy extreme can lead to burnout and resentment. On the other hand, a touch of self-interest can restore balance.

This is the opportunity Aries brings us. It asks us to redefine our relationship with self-focus, to move away from the idea that prioritizing oneself is a betrayal of the group. Instead, we can see self-interest as a tool for long-term contribution. A well-balanced individual can offer more to the world than an overextended, depleted one.

This month, take a moment to assess where you fall on the individualism-collectivism spectrum. Are you saying “yes” to something because it truly serves you, or because you fear what others will think if you say “no”? Are you prioritizing work over everything else because you genuinely love your job, or because it provides external validation?

The energy of Aries wants to lead, create, and fight for what it cares about most. But it also asks us to examine the balance between self and others. True leadership isn’t about bulldozing people with selfish ambition, nor is it about martyring oneself for the collective. It’s about finding the sweet spot where self-interest fuels our ability to contribute in meaningful ways.

This Aries season, embrace the power of the self—not in isolation, but as a foundation for something greater. The stronger and more fulfilled you are, the more you can uplift those around you. That’s the real alchemy of individualism and collectivism: when we take care of ourselves, we create the conditions to take care of each other.

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What if Nothing Was Good or Bad?

Jorge Luis Borges once said, “A writer—and, I believe, generally all persons—must think that whatever happens to him or her is a resource… All that happens to us, including our humiliations, our misfortunes, our embarrassments, all is given to us as raw material, as clay, so that we may shape our art.”

And Borges would certainly know. One of the most celebrated figures in Spanish literature, the Argentinian poet, short story writer, and essayist lost his eyesight at the age of 55 due to a hereditary condition. While his eyesight had been declining steadily for years, complete blindness found him just as he was appointed the Director of the National Library of Argentina. Instead of stepping down or giving up, he relied on oral storytelling and strengthening his memory. As a result, his own writing became even more poetic, refined, and filled with deep philosophical meditations on time, infinity, and identity.

Such a profound example of making art out of lives by allowing our challenges to transform us.

Everything, every experience we have—the good, the bad, the breathtaking, and the brutal—exists not just as a random occurrence but as a stream of opportunities to grow. We often think of our joys and successes as the building blocks of a good life, but what about our heartbreaks? Our failures? The moments that leave us breathless with grief?

The truth is, those moments shape us just as much, if not more.

It’s easy to look back on happy moments—the times when life unfolded effortlessly—and see them as gifts. But what if we also saw the disappointments, the heartbreaks, the humiliations as gifts, too? What if we stopped labeling experiences as “good” or “bad” and instead considered them all necessary strokes in the creation of our most fulfilled life?

Think about your favorite book, film, or piece of music. Would it move you as deeply if there were no struggle, no conflict, no tension? Would the most beautiful songs exist without the pain that inspired them? The same is true for our lives. Every mistake, every heartbreak, every challenge gives us something—insight, resilience, compassion, wisdom. Nothing is wasted. Even the things we wish had never happened become part of our unique story, part of the intricate and irreplaceable tapestry of who we are.

My mother-in-law, kabbalist Karen Berg, once said, “The only thing in this Universe that does not diminish is energy. In its raw form, energy can neither be created nor destroyed. Whatever we put out in terms of energy is what we can receive back.” In other words, nothing—even our perceived mistakes, regrets, or failures—has been energy wasted. The challenges we face help us to transform and elevate.

A rejection can teach us perseverance.
A failure can lead us toward a path that is truly meant for us.
A loss can deepen our capacity for love.

We can spend our entire lives doing what’s natural and comfortable for us and, at the end of this relatively pain-free life, we’ll think that we’ve accomplished great things. But kabbalists teach that this is an illusion. A desire to reach the end of our lives unscathed is the antithesis of our purpose in the world. We were designed to go against our nature, to bust through our comfort zones, and to live and give in extraordinary ways.

What if, when faced with difficulty, we asked:
What can I learn from this?
What strength is this revealing in me?
How can I use this to become more of who I am meant to be?

Because in the end, we are not just living our lives—we are growing and evolving our souls. We are alchemizing our experiences, transmuting negativity into positivity. It’s an art form. And just like the most breathtaking paintings, the most moving stories, and the most unforgettable songs, our lives are made all the more beautiful by their depth, complexity, and contrast.

The kabbalists teach that we came to this world to transform, and when we transform a difficult experience into something remarkable, we transform our lives. When we transform our lives, we elevate our souls. And as we take on this soul transformation, we assist in elevating the entire world.

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