Being self-aware is to look inwards and know how you feel and think. Knowing this means you understand how your actions affect yourself and others. It also means you are comfortable with who and what you are. You know your limits, so you are confident in yourself.

Being self-aware gives you the ability to be kind and empathetic, so you not only know yourself but you are deeply aware of those people who have meaning in your life. You are comfortable with your emotions, so you can be emotionally available to others.

The better the quality of your relationships, the greater the value of your spirituality. Keep your relationships genuine and you keep the emanations of your aura strong – internally and externally.

We are so distracted by entertainment, the Internet, or the “beautiful people” that we tend not to notice the real beauty and wonder found around us.

Many of us place a priority on our wants over our needs. People in Third World countries appreciate the gifts given by nature each and every day, as they are very aware that these gifts satisfy their physical and spiritual needs. We seem to only appreciate those things when we are on vacation.

Take the time to recognize and appreciate what your world offers you on a basic level. Your life will be filled with simplistic wonder, and your spirituality will be elevated to the heights your soul cries out for.

When the sun creeps up over the horizon, extinguishing the darkness of night, it reminds us that the dawn is a new beginning to this day in your life.

The commencement of light brings a brand new energy with it. It is a little different from what you had experienced before. Yesterday is now the past. Today is your present.

When someone gives you a present, you have been given a gift. Don’t treat your gift, your present, as if it’s nothing new. Open it with excitement and anticipation, and use your new vitality to do something innovative today. For today you have been given a gift.

You have been programmed. As a youth, you were shown faith by your parents and religious leaders. The way you studied was guided by your parents and teachers. When you did good things, they were mostly done due to your programming. Your parents and mentors did this to hopefully have a positive effect on you. They wanted you to strive for greatness, no matter what road you traveled down.

But true greatness comes from your own ability to choose. If you sense something is wrong, but those around you are telling you to go with the flow – stop! Go with your gut. It is your soul telling you what your rightful path should be. If it doesn’t feel right to you, it probably isn’t.

Listening to the essence within you will make you more intimate with your soul, and your spiritual light will never be extinguished.

When people are in a negative or depressed state, they frequently have no desire to get out of it. It’s as if they have become desensitized to others and to the positive energy inside them. “You don’t see things the way they really are!” or “Leave me alone!” are typical comments from people in this condition.

The first comment is a way of attacking, hoping they will be right. If they overcome their state of mind, their ego will be stroked. They will feel they knew it all along. They might not think things are better, but they will feel vindicated.

The second comment shows selfishness. They are being self-centered, and only concerned about their own worries. They don’t want to do what their inner spirit knows is right – to do for others. They listen to a pathetic voice inside them which drowns out the voice of benevolence.

Isn’t it so much better when you can encompass the world around you with joy? You not only feel rhapsodic, you bring jubilation to all those around you. What a wonderful place that is to be living in!