Could the age-old spiritual principle of gratitude coupled with presence raise your spirit when sorrow hits? Can this shift in mindset release you from painfully trying to change the past, and not only accept but enjoy life in this moment?

Expectations are at the heart of resentment, and disconnection. We must learn to manage expectations if we want to feel loving partnership with ourselves and others.

Humans have a basic instinct for social interaction; connection makes us feel good. It’s a primitive need and its rewards are scientific. It explains why I went against my early COVID-19 manifesto and attended a few in-person events with friends, even hugging some people against my better judgment.

While attempting to locate your purpose, think about something that catches your attention, something that gets you going. Now think about if you could get involved with that thing on an impactful level. Notice the feeling inside. Is the feeling the same as when packing your bathing suit and sunscreen for Hawaii or while watching your children open gifts on their birthday? Does it give you butterflies or the chills? Does it nourish your soul?

Not responding is a form of self-care, as preserving your commitment to the high road leaves you with a clear conscience. If the other party continues to act inappropriately, the last word their nasty remark, that is what’s left suspended in the air, like a particle of ash after an eruption.

Discover your true self by searching out all of you. Become willing to see the truth of who you are in entirety, no matter how unpleasant the findings. Search the nooks and crannies of your character with the intention of clearing it away. Once cleared, you have unlimited access to your original light at birth: The light of love.

Let humanity be grounded not in physical, political, sexual, or ideological similarity. Rather, let diversity be the jumping off point for unity, dissonance no longer threatening the human tie that binds. Let’s create a playground to explore, to investigate our differences and become comfortable enough in our own skin to not reject each other because of those differences.

When tasked with making difficult decisions in your relationships, the principal question to consider is: Will this decision serve the highest good of myself and others? The answer to this question is reached by intermixing guidance from my Higher Power, my Higher Self, and wise friends; I find a middle of the road solution, choosing the route that does not only benefit me, does not only benefit others, but benefits both of us.