One's life can be likened to an atom. An atom has a center, or nucleus, containing neutral and positively charged particles. Orbiting around the nucleus are electrons that are negatively charged. The electrons naturally balance the particles of the nucleus to make up a unique atom.

At the center of each of our unique lives is our inner self, our sole, our personal identity, our being, our center of consciousness. Surrounding our inner selves are the external facets of life such as our bodies, our actions and deeds, our work and vocations, our family and personal relationships, and so on. These facets of life are like electrons to an atom, and need to work in a way that bring harmony, peace, and balance.

The intuition of our soles guides us to know if the external facets of life are indeed properly balanced. We can feel if things are going right or going wrong in our lives. But, it is up to us to take charge (pun intended) and create the proper balance.

So evaluate the many facets of your life, heed your intuition, and make the necessary changes that will bring peace to your inner soul. You have a innate right to feel balanced, happy, and in control of your life. You need make "you" feel like the "real you" inside.

It has taken me 41 plus years to begin to fathom the concept of being at peace with a present situation even though it may not up to my ideals. I feel like I am finally starting to wrap my head around this important concept, with the key word being "starting"!

It is important to self esteem, success, and achievement to develop and hold yourself accountable to lofty ideals. Goals and high standards are important, especially since they drive you to be an ever better person.

However, life will not always be in perfect sync with your personal ideals. It is a fact of life. Sometimes life is messy, disfunctional, and generally chaotic. Such imperfect episodes of life are only temporary, and will eventually subside to a more peaceful and idealistic state. We must simply acknowledge the present and let it be. Be at peace with the natural state of "the here and now", without giving up hope and eagerness towards a more idealistic future.

During periods of personal strife, it is important to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. Take time to look around and acknowledge the little things in life that are going right. These "little things" can bring joy and contentment. Give thanks to God for what you do have, and bask in the divine providence that you have been blessed with. Celebrate that you have made it this far in life, and have gained the knowledge to know that things are not necessarily always perfect. Rejoice that you have hope for a better future and a burning inner desire to charge down the road of continual improvement.

Why do I write? First, because I want to help others. If I have benefitted from learning, experiencing, or doing something, I want to pass along that knowledge in hopes it may benefit someone else. I frequently pass along helpful hints verbally, but I can reach out to even more people by writing and sharing it.

Secondly, I want to leave a written legacy. When I am long gone from this earth, my writings may endure and benefit those in the future who I may not ever know. But by reading my musings, they may come to know me and hopefully be better for it. Maybe, or maybe not, but it is worth a shot.

And the icing on the cake is that writing comes natural for me, and it brings me much happiness. So with that, it's time to pick up my pen (or keyboard) again and get back to it.