Awakening to Your True Self

By Christine Sagan, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

Founder Friday

Every Friday, our founder pulls back the curtain and shares something close to her heart—whether it’s a lesson learned, a personal story, or a behind-the-scenes glimpse into our journey. These posts are part inspiration, part reflection, and always written to connect, encourage, and spark conversation. It’s a chance to see some of the “why” behind what we do, straight from the person who started it all.

At Vitae, we value self-improvement. But what does that really mean?

Dr. David Hawkins, through his Map of Consciousness, reminds us that disease often manifests when we live stuck in fight-or-flight states—fear, anger, apathy, shame. These lower levels of consciousness not only stress our minds and bodies, but they also shape what we attract in life. Like energy calls in like energy.

When we “level up”—when we move into courage, willingness, curiosity, integrity, and joy—we begin to live differently. We attract relationships, opportunities, and health outcomes that mirror our new state. That’s why surrounding yourself with people who inspire you is so powerful. You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Toxic relationships drain and stifle growth; supportive ones help you thrive. There is a profound connection between a provider’s well-being and a patient’s healing—the healthier the provider, the stronger the outcomes for the patient.

Life is ideally a constant evolution of consciousness. At our best, we stay:

• Willing and curious, always learning and expanding (which keeps our brains healthy and neuroplastic).

• Neutral and hopeful, able to see possibility even in challenge.

• In integrity, aligned with our full truth.

  
  

Franciscan friar and author Richard Rohr reminds us that there are two universal paths toward transformation and awakening: great love and great suffering. Both grief and love, though opposite in feeling, stretch us beyond the limits of our ego. They crack us open in ways that allow us to grow, deepen, and awaken to our highest self.

Ray Dalio teaches that pain is not something to avoid but a powerful teacher. His formula—Pain + Reflection = Progress—reminds us that growth comes when we pause, face our struggles, and learn from them. Instead of running from difficulties, we can use them as fuel to evolve, adapt, and ultimately move closer to our goals and success.

The ultimate goal? To tap into the spiritual realm of love, peace, and joy—states that bring both healing and wholeness.

Our Vitae team is currently reading The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, an inspiring playbook for how to “do life”and business differently. We are all leaders. Two of the foundational commitments:

1. Take Radical Responsibility

   Radical responsibility means seeing yourself as the cause, not the effect of your experiences. Most people unconsciously live in victim consciousness, blaming external factors for their struggles. This means no blame, no drama. Instead, we pause, look at our part, make amends, and fix what we can. It’s empowering because it puts the steering wheel of life back in our hands.

   
   

2. Stay Curious

   The brain craves certainty—it wants to be right. The problem is that being right closes doors while curiosity opens them.

   
   

When leaders shift from certainty to curiosity, they:

• Dissolve defensiveness and engage in true dialogue.

• Unlock creative problem-solving instead of repeating old patterns.

• Improve adaptability, which is crucial in a changing world.

This means seeking mentors, reading books, asking questions, and leaning into blind spots. Curiosity is both a mindset and a muscle—it rewires the brain and keeps us evolving.

At Vitae, we’re committed to working on ourselves so we can walk alongside you on your journey. Our highest calling is to be good people, serving people, and helping people. As we grow together in consciousness, our community becomes healthier, stronger, and more connected.

You are the director of your life. At any moment, you can choose to change patterns, to evolve, and to step into your highest self. We’re here to cheer you on.