The Power of Persistence

"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

The conventional definition of persistence is: "Refusing to give up or let go; persevering obstinately; firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition."

The greatest feelings of accomplishment derive from knowing you've overcome obstacles and conquered adversities to achieve your goals. Your ultimate success will be exponentially more satisfying and fulfilling when you know what it took to get there.

As long as you persist, you can’t fail. With persistence, you’ll be able to sail through life’s setbacks. You’ll seek solutions to overcome your challenges and keep moving forward to build a life that satisfies you.

“As above, so below; As within, so without…” – The Emerald Tablet

People who have persisted in spite of disabilities and obstacles:

• Ludwig van Beethoven (composer, pianist) became deaf at the age of 30 and composed most of his beloved works after he lost his hearing.
• Helen Keller (author) was deaf and blind from the age of 19 months. She wrote 12 books, various articles and was the first blind person to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree.
• Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder (musicians) both of whom are blind have achieved much in their genres of music.
• James Earl Jones (actor) known for his booming resonant voice was once a stutterer.
• Marleen Matlin (academy award-winning actress) is deaf.
• Itzhak Perlman (virtuoso concert violinist) has legs paralyzed from polio.
• Terry Fox (runner) was an amputee from cancer.

As you can see from the wonderful examples above, obstacles and adversity need not stop you from accomplishing great things. If anything, courageous persistence is the one quality more than any other that can guarantee success.

Energy and persistence conquer all things. Benjamin Franklin

HOW TO HAVE GOOD LUCK IN LIFE

How is it that some people just seem to have all the luck in the world? No matter how bad things get, it all just works out for them in the end. Everything they do just seems to turn into a lucky break. How could that be? How is it that some people have all the luck in the world, while others just can’t catch a break? Just maybe they read the manual on how to get lucky in life and they now understand the secret rules for success. But is that really possible? Are there actual rules that can help bring good luck into our lives? Yes, there actually are, and here you will find six of them.

SIX RULES FOR IMPROVING YOUR LUCK

RULE #1: COMMIT YOURSELF TO LEARNING

The first rule for having more good luck in life requires a commitment to lifelong learning. Luck is of course all about being in the right place, at the right time, but more importantly it’s about knowing what to do. Those who get lucky have the required skills, knowledge, resources, and the experience on hand to make the most of life’s greatest opportunities. They just understand how to take advantage of a situation. And of course, this understanding comes from the fact that they are insatiably curious and hungry to know and learn more about anything and everything that can help them achieve their goals.

RULE #2: NETWORK RELENTLESSLY

The second rule for having more good luck in life requires a desire to network relentlessly with many different people. It is often said that it’s not what you know, but rather who you know that makes all the difference. Or maybe more specifically, it’s about who knows you and how willing they are to help you get ahead. In one way or another, opportunities often come through other people. The connections you make provide you with access to tools, resources, knowledge, skills and the support you need to achieve your goals. And of course making the most of these connections is what generates good luck.

RULE #3: HELP PEOPLE GET WHAT THEY WANT

The third rule for having more good luck in life comes down to helping other people get what they want. The Law of Reciprocity states that when we help others, they will feel more obliged to give us something of value in return. In other words, helping people get what they want actually helps you get what you want. The value that people give you in return may however not come directly from them, but rather from someone connected to them. This person subsequently provides you with the tools, resources, knowledge and the support you need to achieve your goals. Kind of lucky, don’t you think?

RULE #4: PREPARE YOURSELF THOROUGHLY

The fourth rule for having more good luck in life comes down to thorough preparation. Those people who seem to have all the luck in the world work tirelessly behind the scenes preparing themselves mentally and physically for any opportunities that come their way. They don’t just suddenly get lucky. They get lucky because they are thoroughly prepared for what’s to come. They know exactly what they want, what they will do, and how they will adapt if things inevitably go wrong. Luck after all favors the prepared mind that is flexible enough to adapt to changing conditions and circumstances.

RULE #5: WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER

The fifth rule for having more good luck in life comes down to working smarter, not harder, and then having the courage to take risks when opportunity presents itself. There are of course a great many people who work extremely hard but seem to make very little progress toward their goals. They’re just unlucky, right? They’re unlucky because they never question whether there is a better way to get things done. The people who work smarter, in more optimal ways, and those who are willing to take courageous risks, are the ones who make the most of the opportunities that come their way.

RULE #6: KEEP PERSISTING AND PERSEVERING

The sixth rule for having more good luck in life comes down to your willingness to push yourself further than anyone else. Those people who suddenly catch a lucky break persist and persevere for far longer than the average person is willing and able. They show a steadfast determination to succeed that pushes them forward through the toughest of challenges that stop other people in their tracks. They end up succeeding in the end, not because they are smarter or better, but purely because they never quit. They get lucky in the end when they finally figure out the valuable lessons in all their mistakes.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

Luck isn’t miraculous random event that suddenly blesses us with good fortune. It’s rather something that develops over time through the choices and decisions we make each day. Yes, some people will for instance get lucky and win the lottery. A lottery is however pretty much all about potluck. Besides buying more tickets, there is simply nothing you can do that will increase your chances of success, and even with more tickets in your pocket, you have absolutely no control over the outcome.

The goals you are pursuing are not built upon potluck. Achieving these goals is built upon your ability to implement these six rules into your life. The more you apply yourself to following them, the higher your chances of succeeding in the end. And that’s of course when others will tell you that you just got lucky.

Good Luck or Bad Luck? Who Knows!

There is a story of a farmer who used an old horse to till his fields.

One day, the horse escaped into the hills. When the farmer’s neighbors sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?”

A week later, the horse returned with a herd of horses from the hills. This time the neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was “Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?”

Then when the farmer’s son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this was very bad luck. The farmer’s reaction: “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?”

Some weeks later, the army marched into the village and conscripted every able-bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer’s son with his broken leg, they let him off.
Was that Good luck or Bad luck? Who knows!

Great leaders understand that even though they have all that it takes to be a top-notch leader, they don’t have all the answers.

A leader who always knows the way usually shows the way—but when they don’t know, they allow themselves permission to face the times of “Who knows?”

Who knows? Remain calm. Great leaders stay calm and refuse to become agitated when things seem to fall apart. They trust in their abilities to pull them through.

Who knows? Trust your abilities. Great leaders have handled crises before, and they have the inner assurance that their capabilities and abilities will pull them through again.

Who knows? Take action. Great leaders don’t become paralyzed by events that don’t turn out exactly as imagined. They make plans and they take specific action to move forward.

Who knows? Invite acceptance. Great leaders accept the idea that in chaos there is order, and that sometimes you have to work with what you’ve got, accept what happens, and move on.

Who knows? Don’t compromise. Great leaders don’t compromise on their integrity. They know that to compromise is to go a little below what they know it is right. When they put integrity first they know they can keep respect.

Who knows? Foster agility. Great leaders know how to respond to change with flexibility and not rigidity. Change and adversity are inevitable; those who are busy worrying about the past or distracted by the present are most certain to miss out on the future.

When it appears there are more questions than answers, more trouble than solutions, more failures than successes, more bad then good, to lead with greatness is to sometimes say, “Who knows!”

Lead From Within:  When everything seems to be bad luck– it may just be good luck in disguise— and when not everything has an answer, and not everything can be figured out—that is when true leadership emerges.

Best Ways to Naturally Increase the Female Libido Instantly

Best Ways to Naturally Increase the Female Libido Instantly

For a growing number of women, declining hormones, job stress, relationship issues, and other problems are taking their toll in the bedroom. Loss of sexual desire, known in medical terms as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), is the most common form of sexual dysfunction among women of all ages.

For a growing number of women, declining hormones, job stress, relationship issues, and other problems are taking their toll in the bedroom. Loss of sexual desire, known in medical terms as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), is the most common form of sexual dysfunction among women of all ages.

You might hate your hormones for causing mood swings, cramps, and sporadic breakouts. There are lifestyle changes and sex techniques that may put you in the mood more often. Some medications may offer promise as well.

"Physical fitness can absolutely boost the physical intensity and quality of sex, because it increases our hormone levels and increases our blood flow to our genitals,".

Five Minutes a Day to Better Sex with Libido-Boosting Yoga Techniques

Only five minutes of libido boosting yoga poses will take you and your partner to unforgettable sexual pleasures: by stimulating circulation in the lower body and pelvic area, these three simple poses increase arousal, desire, lubrication, and orgasm.

For over a decade now we have been hearing about how blood flow below the belt is critical for male sexual performance, and how it can be restored with Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis. But because there is no equivalent medication for women, we never hear just how important blood flow is to women's sexual satisfaction.

One of the very best ways to stimulate circulation in the lower body in women is through the practice yoga, shown by studies at India's GGS-IP University to increase arousal, desire, lubrication, and orgasm, while reducing pain. Here's how you do the poses.

1. Stand up with your feet wide apart and your spine straight

Take a deep breath and release it slowly. Next rotate your feet so they point outward, not so much that you strain your ankles, but as close to a 45-degree angle as you can do comfortably. Bring your hands together in front of you in the Namaste position (fingers to fingers, palms and palms), and squat. Stand up straight and remain in place until you feel relaxed. Then lift your left leg and point your toes outward. Like the first exercise, a 45-degree angle is far enough.

Keeping your back straight and remembering to breathe deeply and fully, now lift your right leg and point your toes outward. Now squat downward as if you were sitting in an invisible saddle, riding an invisible horse.

This exercise protects the anal sphincter and strengthens the pelvic floor.

2. Your Second exercise is the reverse of the lunge

On all fours, support your body weight on your elbows and knees as you point your hands and feet outward. Hold this pose as you take five deep breaths in and out. If you pay attention to your abdominal muscles, you can tone your belly as you strengthen your pelvic floor.

The key to success with these exercises is to do them gently. You should not do them more often than once a day, and many women avoid them during their periods. A tip you won't find in most yoga books: If you are having trouble stretching, try reducing your consumption of coffee and colas.

The caffeine in them can be quite detrimental to flexibility. If you have a male partner, he can do these exercises with you—they will help his sexual circulation, too.

Home Remedies for Female Low Libido

·         Consume a banana each day. Bananas are rich in potassium and Vitamin B, which are imperative in the preparation of sex hormones, or testosterone. Bananas are additionally incredible for expanding vigour.

·         Add figs to your eating regimen. Figs are high in amino acids, which can build female libido. Figs can likewise increment sexual stamina.

·         Consume eggs for breakfast each morning. Eggs contains vitamins B5 and B6, which help battle stress levels. They also help balance hormone levels, which is significant for a healthy stamina. Anxiety is one explanation for a low charisma, so consume a few flavorful eggs for breakfast on a regular support.

·         Fish contains various B vitamins, for example B5, B6, and B12, which are imperative in keeping up a solid conceptive framework.

·         Add some basil to your sustenance to increase female sex drive and help enhance female infertility.

·         Brown rice, cheddar, and turkey are all high in zinc. Zinc is paramount in keeping testosterone levels up, and testosterone levels help control the female libido.

·         Coffee can help increment sex drive, because it helps vigour.

·         Include a tea spoon of honey in a glass of milk and drink. It builds safety against diseases and give quality and feeling of wellness, fundamental for general health incorporating libido.

·         Workout regularly. Exercise is a great stress buster.

·         Decrease stress. Anxiety is a major mental variable that can influence female libido.

·         Mix Triphala powder in water. Keep it away for 60 minutes. Include a table spoon of Honey. Have this in early morning every day.

How Yoga Can Improve Your Sex Life

1. Yoga helps increase flexibility.
2. Yoga helps maintain a healthy body image and self-esteem.
3. Yoga helps you learn and appreciate awareness in the present moment.
4. Yoga helps increase libido.

There are many fabulous yoga poses that help increase circulation to our pelvic region, that make the whole area come more alive, resulting in a fun-filled, love-fuelled time under the sheets with your beloved!

Kapittha Mudra – mudra for sexual healing and enhancing sensitivity

Kapittha Mudra brings about the connection between the heart and the pelvis. This mudra helps in developing devotion towards the partner. Kapittha Mudra represents sexual union. Its practice leads to sexual healing which is in fact release of guilt and impure feelings around sexuality. It stimulates libido, improves sensitivity and brings about unity of heart with the partner.

To do Kapittha mudra, you need to insert the thumb between index and middle finger as indicated. The remaining fingers will close to form a fist. Do this mudra while seated in a comfortable position. The left hand will be placed upon the heart and right hand on the pelvis. Close your eyes, relax and breathe naturally.

Feel the unity of sensuality and spirituality by observing the heart beat and energy flow. You can do this mudra for 10-15 minutes or as when required.

This mudra is great for people entering the beautiful phase of union with the partner or for those who are feeling cold in relationships due to stress and anxiety.

The Laughing Buddha

Laughing Buddha

The Laughing Buddha is cherished all over the world. He is found in homes, restaurants, places of business and so on.

The Laughing Buddha is the Buddha of abundance and happiness.
He is also known as the “Buddha of Wealth”. It is believed he will bring wealth and prosperity to a home or business.
 It is very easy to recognize the Laughing Buddha. He is shown wearing a robe and prayer beads often hang around his neck. He is bald and has a big fat tummy.
He is always happy;   thereby the name the “Laughing Buddha”.
Many claim he makes problems disappear. Keeping the Laughing Buddha in the home ensures a happy home. Who does not want to be happy?

Rubbing the Stomach of the Laughing Buddha

If you are considering bringing the Laughing Buddha into your home or place of business it is important that the statue is not very small.
The Laughing Buddha wants his tummy rubbed.
It is told that if you rub his stomach daily he will see to it that your wishes are granted. It will be difficult to rub his tummy if he is very tiny.
When you do run his stomach you need to do so with a positive attitude. The gesture should be uplifting to your spirits and make you feel happy.
Remember also to always keep the statue very clean. The Laughing Buddha covered in dust will not do you any good.

The Laughing Buddha Symbols Meaning

The Laughing Buddha can be shown with different symbols.
He often is shown with beads hanging from his neck. These beads are often referred to as the “pearls of wisdom”. Many like to keep the Laughing Buddha with the beads close by the place they normally meditate.
Many statues show the Laughing Buddha surrounded by children. The most common number of children is five.
This symbolizes the blessing in all areas of life and enhances positive energy in the home or work place.
A common attribute is the cloth bag.
There are different opinions about what the bag he carries represent. Some believe it symbolizes all the riches the believer will receive.
Yet others believe the Laughing Buddha takes your worries from you and stuffs them in the bag making sure you stay happy and carefree.

For Wealth and Prosperity

If this is your goal you should purchase a Laughing Buddha statue with gold nuggets. Some statues include a pot of gold, others a bag filled with gold nuggets.
Also a laughing Buddha with a wealth ball would be a good choice. The wealth ball is meant to attract prosperity.
You might even find a statue of the Laughing Buddha sitting on a good luck frog. The frog will have a coin in its mouth. All of these statues are good choices for money matters.

For General Good Luck and Abundance of all Kinds

For good luck in all matters including good fortune and great abundance it would be wise to choose a Laughing Buddha statue where he is holding a bowl.
The bowl symbolizes receiving good fortune. The owner of this statue shows that he or she is open and ready to receive all good things.

For Spiritual Insight and Understanding

Some statues show the Laughing Buddha holding a fan. The fan is called an Oogi. The fan represents that the owner seeks inner peace and spiritual wisdom.
There are claims that the fan represents the waving away of all negative energy and any troubles or concerns a person might have.
This is the “don’t worry, be happy” kind of fan.
This will bring contentment and a stress free life. For people wanting to learn the secrets of divine wisdom and live in harmony this is the statue to go for.

For a Long Happy Life

You may come across a Laughing Buddha statue wearing a large hat. This symbolizes a long happy and healthy life.
People who just want to live a long carefree life with little or no worries may want to have this statue.
This may not bring you loads of material wealth, but who cares? The most important thing here is to stay content, healthy and enjoy a long life.

Mudras to over come Sleeplessness

Mudras to over come Sleeplessness

Sleeplessness or disturbed sleep is a common problem in the modern world. Stress, worries, work pressure and all the modern lifestyle leads to this disorders. Mudras are one of the easy methods to overcome this problem.
Vaata-naashak mudra and kapha-kaarak mudra or pran mudra are best mudras to over come this disorder. Just thirty minutes of practice is enough to good results. you .can perform this mudras when ever you get free time or you can perform it while watching T.V or traveling

Vaata-nashak mudra :

How to Perform: Just placing the tips of index finger and middle finger at the base of thumb finger and apply little pressure this forms vaata-nashak  mudra.This mudra is very much beneficial to

Vata-nashak mudra also helps to overcome all the painful conditions like a headache, earache, toothache, throat pain, etc.

Pran mudra:

Pran mudra or Kapha-kaarak mudra is beneficial to overcome light or disturbed sleep. This mudra can be formed by joining the tip of the ring finger and little finger to the tip of thumb finger.

Just 20 minutes of practice is enough to get good result.

overcome sleeplessness.

5 Ways to Get Better Sleep Without Sleeping More Hours

Sleep smarter, not longer.

Sleeping well directly affects your mental and physical health and the quality of your waking life. Fall short and it can take a serious toll on your daytime energy, productivity, emotional balance, and even your weight. Yet many of us regularly toss and turn at night, struggling to get the sleep we need. There is a solution. Making simple but important changes to your daytime routine and bedtime habits can have a profound impact on how well you sleep, leaving you feeling mentally sharp, emotionally balanced, and full of energy all day long.

Getting higher quality sleep will significantly affect your productivity throughout the next day. Many people don't get the full recommended eight hours of sleep every night because they're hustling to build their business. Yet they're still able to have high productivity levels.

The key is that they maximize the benefits from the few hours of sleep they do get. You can get the same results by applying the tips below.

Use bedtime affirmations.

This is a secret weapon that most people don't know about. I learned about this tip from Hal Elrod in The Miracle Morning book. You can use the power of affirmation to set your mind up for the best sleep, even if it's just for a few hours.
For example, you could say, "I'm going to wake up at (insert whatever time you're going to wake up), and that will be more than enough sleep to get me up and running." Priming your subconscious mind to get the most out of the time available to sleep is a great way to wake up happy and productive.

Nap the right way or don't do it at all.

Napping is great to help you get past the 3 p.m. slump and be productive for the rest of the day. The problem is, most people do it wrong. First of all, nap for less than 30 minutes or take an hour and half. Second, try to take your nap, especially if it's a short one, between 1-3 p.m. This way you will get better REM sleep.
If you take it after 4 p.m., your body will go into a long cycle, and you won't be able to wake up. You'll be like a zombie. That's why if you can't do it the right way, don't do it at all.
Related: Will You Actually Be More Productive If You Take a Nap Every Day?

Exercise is your best ally.

Another great way to set yourself up for higher quality sleep is to do some intense exercises a few hours before sleeping. The ideal time to exercise is about 6 p.m. When you're exhausted, your mind will go into deep cycles fast, giving you more time in the deep cycle, thus giving you higher quality sleep.
I have been exercising for a few months, mainly to avoid depression through the secretion of endorphins. But a side benefit is that I am getting much better sleep quality at night, and I am waking up feeling productive. I even have the opportunity -- and energy -- to work on my side business for a few hours before going to college.

Sleep alone when you can.

There's nothing worse than being disturbed in the middle of your sleep, especially when you're in the deep part of the cycle. Studies have shown people who sleep in the same bed with someone else suffer 50 percent more harmful sleep disturbances. Why decrease your sleep quality if you can sleep alone?

A hot bath before sleep.

This is something I learned from Arianna Huffington. She says that a hot bath is a very important part of her before-bed routine. I tested it out myself, and I can't go back. It is scientifically proven that it primes you to get into sleep faster. Having a hot bath after going to the gym is an important key to get better sleep, too.

Wake at the right moment.

Our sleep consists of cycles, which usually repeat every 90 minutes. Wake up in the middle of it, and you will feel groggy for the rest of the day. Wake up at the end of the cycle -- before a new cycle begins -- and you will feel refreshed. Be intentional about how much you sleep so that you get complete cycles. Use Sleepyti.me to help you calculate when to sleep.
Another great tip to prevent waking up in the middle of the cycle is to use an app like Smart Sleep to analyze your sleep, and when you start to get deep into the cycle, it wakes you up, even if it is 10 minutes earlier than your scheduled alarm. Those 10 minutes are the difference between feeling unrested and having a highly productive day.
Related:

Sleep is important.

I'm sure you know by now that sleep is really important. While these hacks will help you sleep less, don't take it too far by reducing your sleep too much. 

ENHANCE YOUR LUCK

"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity”, Webster’s Dictionary defines luck as “a force that brings good fortune or adversity; a force that operates for or against an individual.” So, if luck is a force, you should be able to tap into it … at any time! A lucky person believes in now as being as important as tomorrow and much more so than yesterday. The more open you are to novel ideas and new ways of doing things, the more likely it is that you will strike it lucky. Lucky people don't plod along methodically; while that guarantees a safe and secure path, lucky people take the path less known and meet all sorts of amazing opportunities along the way. Expect the best. Yes, anyone can do this and why not? It isn't about living with the fairies. It is about being positive and creating the outcomes that you want most. Lucky people are optimistic and they expect that good things will happen to them.

“I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.”

Face Your Fears. You've likely heard the expression "fortune favors the bold," and it's little wonder why the phrase has become so popular. ...

Know the Odds. ...

Plan for Contingencies. ...

Surround Yourself With Friends. ...

Be Open to New Opportunities. ...

Be Optimistic.

     Luck Is in Your Hands

·         There is no magic formula for instantly creating an endless supply of good luck.

·         However, there are simple techniques that can help us all attract good fortune. Our ability to maximize our chances, listen to our intuition, expect the best and turn bad into good will help us increase our luck.

·         It has nothing to do with our supply of rabbit’s feet or lucky socks. In fact, luck has nothing to do with feet.

The Intelligence of Heart

The Intelligence of Heart

Over the last several decades a lot of research has been uncovered about intelligence. Previous ideas that intelligence was strictly a brain activity have been tempered with new perspectives. Rather than our intelligence lying solely within our head, it has recently been found that there is an important intelligence that lies within our heart. And some circles believe that heart intelligence is more impactful than head intelligence.
You have probably heard the phrase ‘follow your heart and the rest will follow’ or ‘follow your passion and the money will come’. Depending on which circles you are in the phrase may use other words but the meaning is the same. The heart will lead you to where you want to go in life. When you follow the passion that lives within your heart you have greater joy and generally things just work out for you. You have put your heart intelligence to work.
Don’t you find this to be true? If not, maybe you just haven’t connected with your heart intelligence yet. Making that connection is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Here’s some ways to connect with your heart intelligence:

1. Listen
Your heart speaks through your inner voice. Set aside time to be silent and listen to yourself. This can be done by just sitting still and listening to yourself breathe. As you focus on your breathing and get more relaxed you will be able to ‘hear’ your heart speak through thoughts, feelings, memories, visions – different people receive their intelligence in different ways. Learn to ‘listen’ to how your heart speaks to you.
2. Respect Your Passion
Your passion is reflected in your gifts and talents. What do you really love to do? Are you doing it? How often? Whatever you are passionate about is what you will be happy doing on a day to day basis. When you do this you enable your heart to create its own language. The peace and freedom that your heart will feel when it is connected to passion is the energy that drives you to success. Listen so you can find then respect your passion.
3. Trust the Process
Once you learn to receive the message from your heart and give it respect, it will be time for you to learn to trust its. I also call it your inner or intuitive voice. Most of us have times when our voice is trying to tell us to do or not to do something and we don’t trust it. Therefore we find ourselves frequently saying “I know I should have…”. How often do you say this? When you learn to accept that your heart has intelligence maybe you will accept that it communicates with you, just like your brain does. But the language of the heart is feelings, thoughts, ideas, hopes and dreams. Trust the language and allow it to lead and direct you.

Sometimes the only defect within ourselves is our unwillingness to be our self. When we are connected to our heart intelligence we have the greatest opportunity to know and be our authentic self.