I spoke to a friend this weekend about karmic contracts. He’s a psychic, works with stones and firmly believes that this is the lifetime where (if we choose), we can free ourselves from those contracts once and for all.

Yesterday someone with whom I recently crossed paths said that there was work I needed to complete with them in this lifetime and that they’ll be sticking around until that work is done. This is where we differ: I choose to remove myself from their life in this moment. Perhaps that is where the greatest teaching lies. I didn’t resonate with their take on our budding relationship and actually felt burdened by their “past life” expectation. I choose to end that karmic contract because I’ve already taught her–popped in to remind her, really–of the power that waits to be used in her gifts. But I don’t owe her anything.

I’m very human. I don’t pretend to walk around as a “spiritual teacher” or “sage” though I have many things I love to discuss with others. I’m also at an age where I’m tired of convincing others. Let me explain. In the movie, Up in the Air (please skip over this if you haven’t seen it), an annoyed Alex says to Ryan, “What do you want?” and when Ryan doesn’t answer immediately, she says, “See, you don’t even know what you want.” In fact, he does–but knows that whatever he says, doesn’t change the situation. I saw the exhaustion on his face–and completely understood. Sometimes the easiest answer is silence, especially when you are not being heard. She already called him “her escape” so he knew exactly where her heart was. The experience was over. Complete. Move on.

Perhaps the pain in ending those contracts is the true teacher for both of us. It’s not a happy, la-la feeling. It’s the release of a burden while dealing with the very real human-ness that remains.