Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person. ~ Albert Einstein Mastering Your Life, Unveiled What does mastering your life really mean? It means visualizing the life you want, mapping it out, and taking intentional steps to create it. I often ask people: what are your interests? What do want out of your career? Where would you like to retire? What brings you joy? Most people respond, “I really don’t know.” More often than not they are struggling emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. The prevailing desire is for inner calm, peace and focus.

Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold, happiness dwells in the soul~Democritus The Soul, Revealed On the backdrop of the scenic Lake Louise, I want to share a reflection about the "soul." What is the "soul?" This question is not about religion. It is about discovering the depths of who you are beyond what you can physically see. This is an age old question that still mystifies us today. Greek philosopher, Aristotle defined it as the psyche and Plato believed it was how we controlled our behavior. Contemporary thinkers offer variations of the same which tend to return to the essence of a person. For example:

I wonder how many times people give up just before a breakthrough - when they are on the very brink of success. ~ Joyce Meyer Are you waiting for your bliss breakthrough or are you willing your bliss breakthrough (What Does Living a Blissful Life Mean?)? Have you ever looked back and thought, “I was on the brink of my breakthrough, why did I give up?” For many of us, we never know how close we are to our bliss breakthrough because we don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel shining on the path to our dream. But, if you did see the light, are you ready to make significant change in your life?

What barriers keep you from experiencing bliss? Are you holding on to sadness, disappointment, or hopelessness rather than focusing on an outlook of bliss? Do you feel like no matter what you do all roads lead to melancholy? Many of us can think of a long and distinguished list of barriers to our bliss.

Nothing is permanently perfect. But there are perfect moments and the will to choose what will bring about more perfect moments.~Mary Balogh Bliss Only Takes a Moment Have you ever stopped to think what you can possibly accomplish in a split moment? Have you ever looked back at a moment and thought, “Geez I was feeling really happy in that moment”? It only takes a moment to create a profound, persistent satisfaction and a sense of well-being. It only takes a moment to create a positive feeling of immense fulfillment and joy that springs from within and without. While it is not something you can just pick up at the local Walmart or order online, you can choose in a split moment to create bliss.

What greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life--to strengthen each other in all labor, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting? ~ George Eliot, Adam Bede Happiest Places On the backdrop of the beautiful Caribbean ocean, I want to share a reflection on relationships. The popularized tagline of Disneyland is "The Happiest Place On Earth." For many Disneyland may very well be, but, consider something much deeper like the space between you and another, especially close relationships. Eric Weiner, the author of the book The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World, observed, “the happiest places on earth are not internal ones. They are not geographical ones. It’s the places between us and the closer they are the more at ease we are the happier they tend to be.”

In the garden of friendship is where we cultivate love. Choose your friends wisely and the love that grows will be a blessing. ~Unknown Choosing Friends: Friends Affect Your Life What affect have your friends had on your life? Does your attitude improve when you are with them? Do they reinforce your goals? Are you inspired by the lives they lead?

Do you feel accepted by others? Are those in your life supportive? Do you have a strong inner circle of friends? When life has you down, do those you thought would have your back come through? Do you have an authentic sense of belonging?

A relationship is, in essence, a connection with another individual and in our daily lives, it can come in many forms. A relationship may be described as familial, romantic, a friendship, an acquaintance, collegiate, or professional. Let’s face it, relationships have a colossal impact on our lives. Some can be uplifting and others can be discouraging. Can you think of any of your existing relationships that zap your energy and wear you down?

We only live once, but once is enough if we do it right. Live your life with class, dignity, and style so that an exclamation, rather than a question mark signifies it!~ Gary Ryan Blair