Capitalizing on Your Gifts: Recognizing Your Achilles’ Heel: For a Life in Balance

As individuals, we are constantly changing, evolving, and growing as we interact with our family, our friends, our colleagues, our neighbors and the world at large. In order for this process to unfold in a more or less smooth manner, the way we express ourselves and our personality also needs to adapt so we can deal with such changes in a productive way.

One of the aspects of our personality that continually needs re-assessment is our innate gifts.  By developing and fine-tuning our gifts, we expand our awareness and add breadth and depth to our lives. Similarly, recognizing our faults is also important. By addressing our fears, perceptions, as well as those things which make us uncomfortable, we may be able to take action against our own sense of real or self-imposed powerlessness.

Let us begin by addressing a few thoughts and behaviors that may inadvertently be closing down doors; acting as your own Achilles’ Heel. Then, upon acknowledging these thoughts and behaviors, and by introducing a conscious awareness of such, let us then transform these into seven powerful gifts which carry within them the ability to transcend the limits of our potential in order to benefit the whole.

Let us Begin with … Leadership

We first start with the premise that you are an individual possessing of innate leadership qualities.  You are assertive and courageous in how you express yourself to the world. These abilities by themselves are great virtues. However, be mindful of finding yourself in a place of judgment, whereby assuming those who do not approach life in the same way are either compromising or indecisive or both.

In other words, be careful of falling into the trap of assuming that those who aren’t the type to take the initiative don’t do so because they are weak or needy. This may lead you to feel angry and not be willing to reach out and help. You would then be going against your own ‘gift’.

You are a warrior- you are courageous, independent and self-reliant. You are a master at taking the initiative. Use this positive and authentic gift to propel others to engage more, to become more straightforward, and to fight for what they believe in.  

 … Strength

Perhaps you carry within an innate strength and stability. In fact, success comes easily to you. In addition, you’ve become accustomed to receiving validation from others. This has the potential of becoming very dangerous, because you may begin to obsess over other’s view and opinion of you. You may come to rely on it and use it as a measuring stick for your own self-esteem, self-confidence and even self-worth. Furthermore, once you encounter a point of view that is contrary to your own values, you may begin to question your own identity. You might fall into the trap of constantly questioning your own values and ideas. You might begin to feel as though you are ‘not good enough.’ Once this happens, you are denying and even suppressing your ‘gift.’

Consider that you are strong and dependable. Your inner confidence has always allowed you to make rational and sensible decisions. You are effective and practical. Focus on this and you will begin to appreciate your own needs as well as others’ without having to resort to speculation.

… Enthusiasm

You are certainly enthusiastic. You are very social and love to interact and share with others. You appreciate intelligence and find intellectual interaction exciting and very appealing because you can identify with others at this level. What happens when not every conversation is as appealing? Will you become self-righteous and moralistic? Will you simply shut down because others ‘can’t measure up?’ At this point, you would most certainly be going against your ‘gift.’

You are naturally witty and intelligent; a born teacher and storyteller. You have certainly mastered the gift of communication and know innately that the best way to establish rapport and appeal to another’s sensibilities is to listen actively to the other person. Through innocent curiosity you will not only keep the conversation going, but will instinctively create an active exchange of ideas thus opening a window to the world from a positive and nurturing perspective.

… Sensitivity

You are certainly the sensitive type. You feel your way through life and situations instead of rationalizing your way through them. Connecting with others at an emotional level comes through at great ease for you. However, interacting with individuals who approach life from a logical mind perspective becomes more of a challenge. At some point, you may even decide that such folks are insensitive, and cold.  You might also assume such folks are even somewhat controlling.  You become disapproving of these individuals. You even shut down because you fear that your sensitivity might be misunderstood as weakness. You may fear rejection and thus fall into a self-imposed isolation of sorts which is a certain tell-tale sign that you are repressing your natural ‘gift.’

Naturally, you are nurturing and carry within emotional sensitivity. You are sympathetic, and supportive. You are caring and easily find ways to empathize with others. Once you accept this about yourself and learn to approach others with this certain honesty, you will inadvertently teach others to become comfortable with their own feelings. You will encourage others to take heed and not feel that their own survival is in any way threatened if they themselves show ‘their sensitive side.’

 … Compassion

You are engaging and compassionate. Uniquely talented, you instinctively know how to be of service to other individuals.  You are analytical, always looking for ways to contribute your gifts. Then it happens! You come across others that don’t exactly reach out in the way that they could, or more importantly, in the way that you think they should. So you begin to question your own motives. Am I too dreamy? Am I perhaps too idealistic? Will others take advantage of my good nature? At this juncture, you become so preoccupied by the thought of being victimized by others that you suppress your ‘gift.’

Attuned to the distress of others, you are a natural healer. You carry in your soul an honest and forthright desire to help. Unassuming and reserved, your desire is to find ways to solve a problem; to take a person from point A to point B in their evolutionary process. Do not let abrasive or inconsiderate people trump your natural ability for self-expression. Your natural ability to look at situations objectively makes you an expert at bringing about the balance of conflicting energies – you are what’s needed to facilitate a happy outcome for all those involved.

 … Optimism

You believe in the promise of tomorrow. Within you is a deep and abiding faith in all that is as a positive outcome. You have a demonstrative demeanor and you trust that life will bring you inspiration and adventure at every turn. However, you are well aware that others do not share your sense of natural optimism. You wonder if their hearts are filled with good intentions. Perhaps other individuals, if compared to you, are surely negative and a bit superficial. Or maybe, compared to you, those around you lack perspective or even philosophical insight. You retreat, stubborn and self-righteous; you begin to repel others away. What’s more, your fear of being perceived as gullible brings about self-imposed restraint. You begin to implode. Your ‘gift’ lays dormant.

Don’t you know you have the power to inspire freedom? Have you any doubt that your thoughts may translate into action for others? Your optimism, refined and perfected, can inspire others to regain faith in themselves. Your gift then becomes actualized and multiplied.

… Objectivism

You are the quintessential team player. There is no room in your life for bossy or egotistical people. You address every situation with knowledgeable detachment and always try to remain impartial. Suddenly your path crosses with one other who is an eccentric; perhaps a rugged individualist. Your mind wonders; perhaps you appear too aloof; disconnected and insensitive. You begin to fear being misunderstood and so you retreat. You fear that if you were to express aspects of your personality, you might be seen as imperfect and unable to remain above your environment. Your ‘gift’ is silenced.

The challenge then becomes; how do I put forth my own thoughts and ideas in a way that is not seen as threatening so as to not betray my higher goal and ideals of balance? Let’s face it, others will disapprove. The goal then becomes to regain your courage; express yourself freely and authentically by pointing out both the positive and negative aspects of a situation. Don’t be surprised if those around you welcome your ideas and become more receptive by even contributing their own point of view. This of course, brings forth new insight to a situation. The big picture becomes a more attainable concept in the mind’s eye.

Acceptance and Love … Without Judgment … Teach Us a Valuable Lesson on Oneness and Unconditional Love …

Rather than live in constant fear of other’s perceptions, let us actively fine-tune and perfect our God given gifts. It is how we understand the human condition. It is how we become receptive to unconditional love. More importantly, this is how YOU become a powerful force in your own life and a facilitator in the lives of others. By shifting perception, we shift consciousness and what was once misunderstood becomes possible.

Our Journey to Balance
Maritza Alvarez 
Copyright©2012

Be Encouraged! 

At times we suffer. No one person is immune. When we fall into a state of suffering many aspects of our daily lives are affected. We may struggle with our health, we may lose our sense of joy, see our prosperity as fleeting, compromise our stature, or even place our family, our friends, our career, and our reputation in jeopardy. 

In the midst of our pain, we may also come to feel utterly alone. At such times, it is easy to become discouraged. In fact, discouragement can take on many forms. Our spirit can become exhausted, thus leaving our soul somewhat ‘drained’. We may come to feel as though we are drowning in a smothering well of darkness. Without hope we simply may want to give up. We will want to give in. 

It is precisely during these times when seemingly insurmountable obstacles arise; when the challenges we face appear beyond our capability; that we most need to turn our lives over to the power of Self Love. 

There is tremendous healing power in surrender. We alone carry a reserve of inner peace that can quiet the noise when life seems overwhelming.

This peace, this power, this hope, can be emboldened and renewed by our universal and everlasting capacity for love.

Isn’t it conceivable or even plausible that the best medicine for a discouraged spirit is a dose of love? 

Isn’t it probable if not possible to become an open vessel through which the waters of our spirit can flow freely?

Can we let our love move through us and our into our world, touching everyone we come in contact with?

Can we not express our joy through the special talents our Creator has given us, that others may come to know their own strength?

Next time someone we love is trapped in a prison of defeat and discouragement, let us help by:

- supporting their deepest dreams …
- believing in their gifts and talents…
- loving and accepting them for who they are at this very moment…

Therefore, be encouraged! Let our discouraged spirit once again welcome joy once we realize that there is a deeper reality to our lives; a level of truth only the heart can understand.

Be encouraged! Know that there is a wonderful master plan at work in our lives.

Be encouraged! Know that our life has purpose and right now we may simply have lost our way.

Be encouraged! Know that our existence has meaning. Yet, right now our heart may not be able to discern what it is.

Be encouraged! Know that we are loved. Yet, right now our spirit may be too tired to acknowledge it.

Finally, be encouraged in order to seek direction; to find the path again; to gain discernment in order to understand our purpose; to fill a grateful heart so that we may see all the blessings that already exist in our lives. 

Thank You. Maritza :)

Eight Challenges to the Pursuit of Balance on Earth

I believe we are living in extraordinary times. Finally, our generation has the chance to explore self-expression on a global scale. Such is evident with the advent of the Internet and other means of communication. At this point, we have the opportunity to gain new insight into our collective evolution. We have a window which offers new perspectives into the mysteries that have confounded our understanding of politics, economics, philosophy and theology and that so far, have kept us in a state of mental bondage. 

This is not the first time we as a people have lived through such a critical period or enlightening age. Past generations have witnessed monumental accolades achieved through exploration and discovery; through art and humanities; through industry and commerce.

Our time is different because all lessons learned point to and reveal that at this juncture, we have a palpable and realistic opportunity to achieve independence and freedom of spirit.

We need not but look around us to notice significant changes in the way the world perceives justice, evaluates morality, conducts business, measures success, forms allegiances and transmits or disseminates information.

We are discovering, at times quite painfully, that prior conditioning and established methodologies carry with them considerable flaws that have ultimately led us to walk the path of terror. I define the path of terror in this case as that which led us to the collapse in the housing market; to turmoil in the banking industry; to the rise in global inflation; to the weakening of economies; to the systematic implosion of established regimes.

Yes my friends, our time is different because our current environment is so toxic, so dark, so riddled with anxiety and fear that we might finally have reached the breaking point. Perhaps this expression sounds familiar: “Things have to get worse, before they get better.” What this means is, we as a people have Now to make a choice.

We must either continue to provoke and feed feelings of powerlessness, or use this opportunity to make decisions based on moral and ethical integrity.

Our generation has been given a test - to transform fear into fearlessness - to stimulate and showcase our worthiness by allowing ourselves to play a larger, more meaningful role than the one dictated by our past.

Our generation’s mission is to stimulate and activate a Total Transformation of The World as We Know It - To reprogram our entire belief system.

The Following are a List of Challenges as Well as the Proposed Solutions to Further and Encourage a Constructive Dialogue …

Challenge #1: We must redefine the concept of self-interest. We must understand that what is good for all is ultimately good for ourselves. We must rethink traditional ideas of survival in this planet. This also encompasses the need to redefine the understanding of autonomy in nations.

Proposed Solution: Disspell all illusions of independence. Let us seek to understand and base our responses within the context of creating relationships. This entails embracing interdependence.

Let us Ponder the following question? How many new alliances have United States and European nations solidified during the last decade?

Challenge #2: We must figure out innovative ways to distribute goods, services and material wealth to all nations. We must reclassify traditional ideas about ownership. We must rethink what it means to share wealth.

Proposed Solution: Let us learn to get comfortable about revealing our needs. Let us encourage others to do the same. Let us ‘let go’ of our preconceived illusions about stability. Let us Be Authentic about who we are and encourage a mutual empowerment for all involved.

Challenge #3: We must participate. We must expand ourselves by recognizing that we are part of a global community. We must make the world our backyard.

Proposed Solution: Let us openly communicate our thoughts. Let us express our ideas and thoughts openly. Though we risk alienating others, we will also gain insight into our neighbors - thus helping to break perceptions and promote acceptance.

Challenge #4: We must endeavor to redefine our idea of security. The key to our survival is not isolation but full participation and cooperation with other nations.

Proposed Solution: Let us work to maintain autonomy and control over our safety by taking the necessary steps without caving in to our self protective instincts.

Challenge #5: We must alter or rather Expand ways in which nations communicate and assert their power in our world.

Proposed Solution: Promote and Encourage creative self expression. Through art, music, and drama, we can stimulate other nations to express their emotions without running the risk of disapproval. Worldwide sporting events play a critical role in this area as well. In addition, let us push the limits of science and technology - thereby enforcing the Link between the people of this planet.

Challenge #6: We must introduce new ways of cooperation. We must introduce new ways of exchanging resources, handling debt, and sharing global resources.

Proposed Solution: Let go of our set illusions that define and set the codex for personal power. In other words, we must not attribute so much power to secrecy. Full disclosure is needed in order to attain and manifest Mutual Global Empowerment. Full disclosure assumes setting new standards - of morality, of ethics, of integrity among nations.

Let us promote and support such nations who stand up for Truth and Freedom while disclosing all those who don’t.

Promote and support those nations who stand by responsibility, those who appreciate people’s need for security in such a way that does not rob them of their self respect.  

Challenge #7: We must redefine fairness. Thus far we have defined fairness as catering to the will of the majority. However, fairness is presenting knowledge in an objective format so that it affirms and respects an individual’s differences.

Proposed Solution: Let us spread knowledge by any and all means possible.

Challenge #8: We must raise awareness!!! We simply must stop discrediting other faiths in order to promote our own - in order to appear more solid; more credible.

Proposed Solution: Let us fully disclose our vision and dreams. In addition, let us openly express our ideals, our needs, and our fears! Once we take responsibility for that, I am confident we will find Unity in numbers - we will find that we are not so isolated - we are not self important - we will find our alignment with all peoples. We will clear misunderstandings. We will be validated.

Let us meet these challenges so that we may be progressively stronger as a people. Let us make friends with change.

Our Journey to Balance 
Maritza Alvarez 
Copyright©2012

Balance: Keep Calm in Hostility 

To me, the greatest irony is that a lot of the torturers who are now working for the ____ government (insert choice of oppressive gov’t) learned their torturing techniques when they themselves were tortured. So they learned to torture as victims, and they are now torturing other people as perpetrators. It’s a vicious cycle. What we have to work toward is explaining to people on both sides that these types of things are simply not acceptable- EVER. Often I think it’s a question of holding up a mirror and saying, “Look at what you are doing! Look at what’s happening. Aren’t you doing exactly what you are protesting?” But sometimes it doesn’t help.

That is why it is important that all parties be involved, not the press or government, but people who live in these troubled areas; at the grass roots level. It’s a matter of action, communication. It’s a matter of seeking justice for the love of all humanity. It’s a matter of raising awareness; raising consciousness at round table question and answer sessions.

Look, I know it’s not easy, especially when people of your own religion shout back, “You traitor!” But, I’ve learned to get out of my own way. It’s tempting to shout back, “No, you’re wrong!” To maintain a calm, even keel in the face of hostility has probably been the hardest lesson to learn, but definitely the most valuable. But the process becomes easier when we seek to understand and focus on why those who scream are screaming. It is calming however, and LET THIS ENCOURAGE YOU, that although the one screaming isn’t listening, the other one is. And so, your PATH is to continue speaking the TRUTH, to encourage change based on HOPE in nature rather than fear of human nature.  

Our Journey to Balance
Maritza Alvarez 
Copyright©2012

WE ALL DESERVE TO PLAY AN EQUAL ROLE IN THE STAGE OF HUMAN EVOLUTION

There is no such thing as independence - The whole of nature is a system of inter-dependent variables - cause - reaction - concentrated whole.

Success will depend on how we will relate to everything around us; not just a community of human beings but a community of human beings, plants and animals.

Some will call this Spirituality - But, call it by any name, this is what we need and we cannot get this from money.

We must unify in order to pursue our highest potential as a family.

Throughout our collective learning process, we have been trained to place people into categories; into distinctions…

older / younger
beautiful / ugly
strong / weak
good / bad
achieving / or not

We have been trained to see THE OTHER - as separate from ourselves. If we continue this way, we are doomed as a species because as a ‘living organism’, we are now at war with ourselves.

Throughout time, we have moved away from the understanding that we are all emergent natural systems…

In fact, with this sense of separateness we are altering our natural reality.

The SHOCKER comes when we meet a certain individual and suddenly we notice their human essence / their similarities …

We are left thinking…Now what?

Therefore, it becomes critically important that we DO NOT put our TRUTH in a book and the book on a shelf. We must instead make this unity a goal we want to reach. We simply cannot afford this perception of separateness …

NOW…How do we change our perception? I know this is by no means and easy or comfortable path to follow. It requires focus, and discipline. 

It requires Honor! It requires learning and practicing forgiveness and I would argue, it requires faith….on a simple premise that life is and will always remain a mystery. We accept and go with that! Go with the flow …

The power we have ; of creation; of expression; of thought…is a gift!~And allowing others to exercise this gift is one of the greatest acts of humanism we can offer one another.

To maintain this spiritual discipline; requires a life of appreciation; it requires us to live a life of gratitude.

We all deserve the right to play an equal role in the stage of human evolution…

The world is full of hatred but if we hold onto and nourish this understanding we can begin to take hold and control our history instead of simply becoming a by product of a chain of selfish events.

Our Journey to Balance
Maritza Alvarez 
Copyright©2012

As human beings, we are now engrossed in a constant battle with ourselves … It’s no wonder since this way of BEing is well encoded within our biological makeup …

On the one hand we have our imagination, our creativity, our love of the arts, dance and music …Our ‘right brain’… On the other hand we have our need for order, for structure, our motivation to move towards a linear way of thinking or ‘left brain’…

We want everything categorized and compartmentalized. We want descriptors, affirmations, geometry …But what if?

What if we’re wrong? What if what we should be looking for instead is synchronicity? A blending of extremes in order to find balance? Why can’t we blend Science and Religion, for instance? It’s time we learn to get comfortable with gray, with the not knowing, with the ebb and flow of life because not all in our path blends itself to perfect geometry …

Let us open up our brain to discovery, to exploring, to creating in a way that will help up lighten our load and free us … from stigma, from dogma, from everything that endeavors to label us, to back us into a corner, to enslave us.

Why not rebel in our Divine Creation? And why not take a chance in others? …maybe we might just realize that in their food, their cultures, their customs, their dance, their languages and even their traditions , we find just a little bit of ourselves…Heck, maybe we might just learn something…about ourselves.

At the very least, maybe being open , in both a strong yet vulnerable way, we can grow in appreciation … of our family, of our natural surroundings, and of all of God’s creatures that share this Earth with us.

My friends, and I mean this with Love…The Source is not in the seed…The Source is behind what placed the seed there in the first place.

We need to look deeper, without fear and with the kind of faith that says…”Ego cannot find me here.” “Ego cannot label me here.” I am ready to look at all sides, not just my side. I am ready to use all my knowledge and to work it congruently. I am ready to use discernment in my daily actions and not judgment. I am ready … because I am part of the Source and NOT a diluted reproduction of the seed.

God Bless us everyone,

Our Journey to Balance 

Maritza Alvarez  

Copyright©2012

Balancing Our Speech Can Heal the Exchange 

We must communicate in a way that lives up to our own ideals. In other words, we must communicate with others in a way that reflects our genuine Self. Understandably, this is sometimes easier said than done. Sometimes we don’t verbalize our true ideas and opinions, for fear of being misunderstood. Our motive is fear and the result is confusion and frustration.  We appear a certain way or project a certain persona but end up disappointed and feeling isolated.

Instead, why not focus our attention on expressing what our Intuition is telling us? By allowing our true feelings and opinions to flow through us; we effectively serve ourselves and others. Our speech becomes an exchange of ideas rather than a false picture of the impression we want to make. As we learn to trust the process of open communication, we become less attached to the results of the dialogue and more attuned with creation itself …

Our Journey to Balance 

Maritza Alvarez  

Copyright©2012

We are a generation of enormous potential. We are realizing higher levels of communication in areas such as intellect, philosophy and religion on an all engrossing planetary basis. We are seeing a rise of enlightenment in the realms of religion and philosophy. Our challenge is to find a global medium; an effective worldwide platform for positive communication.

Another challenge is to rise above blind philosophical beliefs and a constant reliance on others for answers. We are entering an age where personal fulfillment lies not in experiencing our material world but in transforming it. 

Our Journey to Balance 

Maritza Alvarez  

Copyright©2012

Finding Balance Through Focus …

We all have a variety of goals; personal and career goals; friendship and relationship goals. We all want options. To afford those options, we sometimes opt to build barriers; choosing to mingle in a superficial and noncommittal way. We cling to detachment refusing to focus on any one thing.

This approach to social responsibility is acceptable unless we have long term aspirations or goals.  While it is acceptable to have a variety of ambitions, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of becoming a jack-of-all-trades and master of nothing. We must give ourselves time to focus. A consistent focus will empower us to define our philosophical identity. We will be better equipped to identify our talents and abilities ; to organize them and present them in a way the benefits a variety of people.

By focusing on our particular strength we will encourage the kind of positive stimuli to not only meet a variety of challenges but stimulate others as well. 

Our Journey to Balance 

Maritza Alvarez  

Copyright©2012

Balance Through Insight …

Sometimes our mind is that of a perpetual traveler; always seeking; always lost in internal reflections.

This is not always healthy or conducive to personal growth. By refusing to join others in discourse; in deep philosophical participation or pursuits; we invite isolation. We create a distorted reality in that we become sure that we know the answers to everything.

Purposeful and fruitful use of knowledge is not endeavoring to establish an intellectual authority. We do not expand dialogue through competition. The only way we truly serve is by letting ourselves share ideas; by deciding that we will be involved in a conscious and deliberate effort to deepen the study of communication. We must trust our knowledge and let it flow spontaneously. By expressing joy and personal learning we teach. We encourage self trust. We encourage others to take the initiative …

Our Journey to Balance 

Maritza Alvarez  

Copyright©2012

Balance Through Open & Direct Interaction With Others …

We must not assume that our vision is the one and only truth. We alienate others by operating from a belief of spiritual superiority. Self righteous Ego can not only discourage the input from others, but also sabotage your own motives and desire.

We need direct involvement in order to strengthen the vitality of our direction. We need unity or discourse even if it results in disagreements. Through inclusion, we gain focus and perspective; we do not scatter our personal energies …

Only through open communication do we invite and encourage the unearthing of solutions to practical or complex problems. Only through allowing others to share their insight, do we expand awareness.  

Our Journey to Balance 

Maritza Alvarez  

Copyright©2012

Balance Through Philosophical Perspective …

Sometimes, we enter into relationships with the feeling that we are about to lose our sense of freedom; our individuality and ability for self expression. We allow tension and fear of commitment to haunt our every move. If you are content with fickle infatuations, then this is fine, but if your goal is to establish a worthwhile partnership, more thought has to be placed into discovering, ascertaining and dealing with this kind of fear. 

Sadly, if left underneath the surface, what eventually happens is we sink into a sort of chronic low self esteem or even an eroded sense of values.

Instead, why not let the relationship guide itself; let it flow. Invite trust and optimism into the larger perspective. Express excitement in your alliance. Invite a constant expansion by focusing on that which empowers the relationship, the friendship, the union, etc. I believe we all have the ability to ‘teach’ others true freedom not only through encouragement of other’s goals but also through inspiring others what it means to experience a freedom from the limitations brought on by old and tired beliefs. 

Our Journey to Balance 

Maritza Alvarez  

Copyright©2012

Balance Through Openness 

Lets admit it. At times we all make hasty conclusions without logic or facts; empty theories; a reasoning based on emotion alone. What’s worse, sometimes we present our thoughts to others in a moralizing manner; from an inflated Ego; from a place of pompous self-righteousness…

Self awareness requires that we pay close and diligent attention to our thoughts; taking into account whether they are based on facts or emotion; taking the time to discern logic…

By avoiding self righteous behavior in our approach towards others, we encourage open communication and inspired perceptions upon others. The Ego will always want to prove intellectual superiority. The consequence will always be mental isolation. The only way to uplift others is to encourage an open , two-way dialogue. 

Our Journey to Balance 

Maritza Alvarez  

Copyright©2012

Discerning Our Voice from a place of Balance 

We want people to notice us; to acknowledge us. Sometimes, when they don’t we get sensitive and respond with ‘emotional touchiness’ because in reality, we often expect people to reciprocate. However, we must realize that this sort of manipulation does not work. In fact, by becoming abrasive or aggressive, we often lose our own independence. By giving vent to our wounded feelings in order to gain attention, what often happens is we compromise our own direction. Is it worth it?

I would argue an emphatic No. We must not depend on others to be compatible with us. We must not compromise our own feelings to appease others. This shows a lack of direction and further invites others to take advantage.

Why are we so afraid? Why do we lose our ability to discriminate? By appeasing others, we only lose our confidence. Moreover, we stop inviting the right kind of people into our lives. We repel those that would otherwise be attracted to our genuine self.

I believe true internal balance is achieved when we take responsibility for our own beliefs. Instead of compromising in order to achieve ‘peacefulness’, we should commit ourselves to the integrity of our own direction…Then simply relax in the KnoWing that the outcome will be for the greater good.

By asserting ourselves and putting forth our genuine voice with conviction, we will automatically come into balance according to our higher plan or purpose. How we appear to others becomes at this point irrelevant. Why? It is because there exists out there, an endless supply of people who will genuinely sympathize with our beliefs provided we have the courage to express our own identity. Why not give a voice to our independent and real point of view? Why not go deep? Why not express ourselves from a place of harmony; from a place of balance? By doing this, we not only impel others to do the same, we claim our authority … we create the desired outcome …

Our Journey to Balance 

Maritza Alvarez  

Copyright©2012