Many people operate on auto-pilot, cruising along until faced with a challenge. In the midst of chaos they finally turn within or have a breakthrough – perhaps a glimmer of enlightenment or a sense of their full potential – and then go back on auto-pilot when things settle down.

Don’t go back to sleep. Instead, purposefully bring a conscious approach to the present moment. Apply your spiritual wisdom to the little things and build your life into one of mastery. The little choices and conscious actions spark great movement in your life. We don’t need to wait for a problem to inspire mindful action. Be mindful at the grocery store, interacting with your children, mediating, eating, making love… everything is part of your spiritual journey.

Speak kindly to yourself. Handle things quickly when they are small and easily managed. Choose to be completely present, just for today, and see how you feel. If you are at peace, decide tomorrow if you’ll do it again.

All change begins within.

The more awakened you are, the less involved you will be with drama, judgment, anger. This inner transformation lifts you to another level of consciousness and allows you to bring a higher, more objective perception to any situation. Your sense of peace and insight can spark new growth in those with whom you interact. Be the change you wish to see.

As each of us does our own work, we participate in the healing of our collective consciousness. Rather than wishing or demanding that others change, consistently provide a demonstration of what an inspired life looks like.

Everything is sacred. Do your best to see beyond the roles that people play to the spirit within and respond to that rather than to the ego. Elevate people with your energy, words and actions and know that your presence here is a gift.

The love that you experience in the world is a direct reflection
of the love you have for yourself.

Armed with the knowledge that love resides at the core of everything, we see the world through a different filter than those who choose to see life as a struggle. If you seek to discover love in a given situation, you will surely find it.

Transformation is always possible. We are consistently learning, expanding our perception and gaining new insights. You are far different than you were five or ten years ago – and that is absolutely a cause for celebration. Remember to periodically give yourself credit for how far you have come.

And while challenges don’t magically disappear for those who are in the process of awakening, we become less reactive, the triggers lessen, we are no longer as identified with the ego and this allows us to become liberated from the mechanisms of the mind.

Be gentle with yourself. Begin with self love, kindness and compassion and then allow that flow of energy to flow outward. Everything is love.

Look beyond your challenges to the beauty that fills your life experience. The present moment provides an opportunity to return to life in a way that allows you to give rather than being propelled by desire. The awakened heart sees through the eyes of love and gratitude with the realization that abundance is a state of mind.

Spiritual abundance and fulfillment have greater depth than simple prosperity or having a particular financial goal. Things, by their very nature, bring limitation and the worry of “what ifs?” that can destroy one’s well-being. One who is truly abundant is already complete. Outer expressions of prosperity can ebb and flow; however, the heart that is fulfilled is untroubled and lives in a state of grace.

Celebrate existence! Embrace the joys and beauty that life has to offer. See yourself as an expression of the divine, step into service and discover the love that resides at the core of everything. Then, your walk will become flowing and harmonious.

Adversity awakens you. Joy awakens you. It’s your choice. No matter how you decide to experience life, it provides myriad opportunities to grow. Imagine your soul expanding as it opens to receive new energy, insights, healing and balance.

Collectively, we are engaged in evolution. We learn from our interactions with one another and with our sacred mother earth. Your light transforms the darkness. When you choose to approach your life situations with a willingness to learn, anything is possible.

So, become a lifetime student of love. Know that untold gifts still await discovery. You are not only strong enough to face whatever unfolds in your experience, but also awakened enough to utilize it in a way that is unique and empowered. No matter how far you have come, you have barely scratched the surface of your spiritual understanding.

Your life is sacred. You are a master in the process of awakening and your purpose is only to discover the divinity and potential within you. If you were to see yourself as a masterful being with a divine mission on this planet, would you live your life any differently?

It’s time to engage with the world around you. Immerse yourself within the present moment, whatever it has to offer, with a sense of peace, empowerment and purpose. Notice when you hide behind the distractions of the human condition and instead, quiet the mind and seek to express your joy in a way that soothes your soul.

You are an agent of change. Your inner transformation sparks new energy in the world around you. As old souls, we are called upon to be different, to see differently, to react differently. We must be companions and inspirations for one another.

You make a difference.

As you move to the higher states of consciousness such as Willingness, Acceptance, Love or Peace, you’ll discover that old ways of being cannot make that journey. For instance, acceptance and anger cannot coexist in the same space; therefore, anger naturally ceases to be a primary focus and eventually it drops away. The freedom, the lightness of being allows you to walk through the doorway to a new expression of who you are.

The mind would have you believe that awakening is difficult, change is hard and that these old resentments are something that you are stuck with. Ask yourself, “Who would I be without this thought or behavior?” Often, a trickle of paradoxical unease rises as you may answer, “I’d be happy/contented/at peace.” The ego fears the unknown, even when the unknown is a healthy and joyful existence. After all, what would it do or who would you be without something to fight against?

When we drop the need to have struggle in our experience, life becomes easier. We discover that miracles abound and love is available as we begin to experience life from the higher new perspective. Even better, there is always a new level to explore.

If you are a healer, send light, compassion and kindness today to someone with whom you disagree. If you are a server, extend a hand in love to someone who frustrates you. If you are a teacher, work more intimately with your most challenging student. Giving love transforms us. Giving love to those with whom we don’t identify or particularly care for transforms the world.

Adversity – especially inner conflict generated by blame, resentment or anger – is a fertile playground for spiritual growth. If there is even one person in the world who triggers you, you have an opportunity to utilize the alchemical forces of love and positive intention.

Basic kindness is the essence of your Being. Choose to open your heart and let your light transform all that you see.