By the time you graduate to Level 4, you've begun to shed much of the awkwardness and discomfort you once felt so acutely. You're starting to get much more involved in the running of things. Like a little kid eager to join in a game with bigger kids, you want to emulate those you look up to — and that would be those at the next level. Like a cool older brother, Level 5 souls are comfortable in their own skins and understand the rules of the game. In contrast, you're conscious of your own lack of sophistication. Still, this level is all about achieving expansion. You're going to put yourself out into the bigger world whether you're ready or not.
At this level, you're driven to expand — reaching out into the bigger world, building communities, and stretching beyond your comfort zone in every direction.
As you try to straddle both God and Mammon, you can sometimes fall into hypocrisy — holding others to standards you yourself have yet to fully master.
This is a difficult stage for you. Behind you lies the morality of younger souls, and ahead is the often unabashed materialism of Level 5. As you try awkwardly to straddle both worlds, your lack of worldly experience can sometimes show itself. You might rail at others for their moral failings, only to later discover you have similar issues yourself. When you get caught, your tendency may be to deny the problem or blame external factors. But don't be too hard on yourself — this is all part of the learning process, and awareness is the first step toward authenticity.
You're putting yourself out into the bigger world, ready or not — this is your time to expand. You no longer want to sit on the sidelines. You're eager to get involved, to take on responsibility, and to prove yourself capable of handling bigger challenges.
You make a big impact on your children. Your own desire to achieve makes you a committed parent. You want your children to do well — partly because their successes reflect well on you, but also because at this level you're starting to recognize that your children are unique individuals, not simply extensions of yourself.
As you begin to branch out into the world, you build strong communities and take a greater-than-ever interest in education and developing particular careers. You're looking for specific lessons that will help you survive in the competitive world of Level 5.
Your greatest growth at this level comes from aligning your actions with your words. The gap between what you preach and what you practice is your most powerful teacher. Every time you catch that gap and close it, you move closer to the authentic self-assurance that defines the next stage of your journey. Embrace the awkwardness — it means you're stretching.
As you continue to grow at Level 4, you're preparing yourself for the dynamic, confident energy of Level 5. Every community you build, every skill you develop, and every moment of honest self-reflection brings you closer to the self-assurance you admire in those ahead of you. Trust the process. Your willingness to step up, even when you feel unready, is exactly what propels you forward.
"Growth begins at the edge of your comfort zone"