As I reflected over the past year it occurred to me how much of my experiences and personal changes that took place were due to my interaction with Others. The strangers I had a quick connection with, the new friends I've made along the way, the people that have been in my life a long time, the teachers I've had, they've all had an impact on me in one way or another and I've come to understand my spiritual development happens from my relation to others.

Recently I had an interaction with a customer service person over the phone that really opened my eyes. From the minute I got on the phone with her I could feel myself allowing her energy to bring me down and became annoyed at her annoyance with my problem.

Somewhere during the conversation I realized my lousy attitude was not going to help my cause or her day, which I figured was not going well. I decided to shift my thoughts and energy and said to her, "Can we start over. We've really gotten off to a bad start and I'm not liking this very much."

All of a sudden she started to cry and shared with me that her 3 and 7-year-old kids were home sick and she had to be at work on a day she didn't want to be there, feeling incredibly guilty for not being with her children. We talked for about 15 minutes and by the end of the conversation she was feeling so much better.

She thanked me and said she would now be able to continue her day enjoying what she does. And she did say "she loved serving people in this way." I have to tell you, I listened much more than I talked and that seemed to be all she needed. We cleared up the reason I called in the first place quickly and easily and I witnessed how great she was at her job.

When I got off the phone I felt the impact of that call at a very deep level. The experience with her had shifted me and I was extremely grateful for the dance we had. It allowed me to be aware of the importance of managing my own energy instead of continuing to be a part of hers, enabling us to move onto a different path together. It gave me the opportunity to make a choice that I felt better about and it helped me practice letting go of judging others. I knew, when that call was complete, I had been given the opportunity to grow spiritually, yet again.

In every moment, of every relationship, there is always an opportunity to look inside and ask yourself, "How can I grow from this?" Whether there is conflict or harmony there is always some insight that you can walk away with about yourself and how you connect with others. Not how they connect with you, but with how you connect with them. Keep in mind, how you are with your relationships is about you, it's always about you and you always have a choice with your behavior. When you come from your truth and a willingness to look at the energy you are creating within yourself, magic can happen from every encounter you come across.

As you start this New Year, why not look for the gifts each person you interact with throughout the year brings you for your own spiritual development. Practice being aware of the energy that's moving through you and whether or not it's the energy you want to hold. Realize that others often mirror those parts of you that want to be reclaimed or healed. It is through your relationship with others that you can truly deepen your connection to Spirit/Source/Universe and your Authentic Self.