Life is full of important lessons. I remember how proud I was when I learned to drive a car, balance a checkbook, change my babies’ diapers. But these pale in comparison to the importance that the following six lessons have meant to my life.

The “Big Six” (listed in no priority order)

 1)  We are all connected to a greater consciousness at work in the universe.

Yes, this is the God thing and, although I get a little nervous mentioning it because I have spent most of my life as a non-believer, I cannot emphasize enough what an important discovery this was.

The proof is clear in the most basic human characteristic, thinking. Have you ever wondered where your thoughts come from? I guarantee that a surgeon cannot cut you open and find the source of your thoughts. They come from another dimension beyond our five senses, a deep well of a creative, loving consciousness that is much larger than us. I sense this connection in my writing where creative thoughts come through some mystical funnel from that higher source.

Awareness of my connection to this Source lets me know, even when my life seems in turmoil, things are in harmony with a greater purpose.

2)  We have the power to create our reality.

Because most of us think we are just a steel ball ricocheting from one bumper to another in the pinball machine of life, our ability to manifest our reality has remained hidden from us.

This concept though is as real as the pull of gravity, what we project about ourselves always comes bouncing back to us. If we project we are unworthy of love, we will get plenty of affirmation for that belief back to us. If the self you project is more positive, you will get support for your belief.

I realize now that if I can pick different thoughts and beliefs, I can change my life. I have become adept at removing negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. My life has improved considerably.

3) If you don’t learn to love yourself, no one else can do it for you.

The logic of this lesson may seem obvious, but most of us created a hole in our soul we feed with feelings we are not good enough. No one can else can fill that hole but you.

No matter how often you have failed at relationships up to now, if you can own and love your own worth and beauty, just as it is, you will attract more loving partners.

4)  You know you are fulfilling your life purpose if you are creating a greater good.

If what you are doing is helping create a greater good, regardless of your profession or social status, you are on the right path.

This lesson bubbled up in my consciousness from lesson number one. If everything in the universe is in harmony, then every life and purpose has a valuable role.

I wasted a lot of time trying to force the outcomes of success, status and wealth I wanted. Knowing all I need to do is concentrate on how what I do helps create a greater good has taken a lot of stress out of my life.

5)  Because we all come from the same source, every living being has value.

All living things are important and, although you may not see it, in the eyes of our Higher Source, there is no hierarchy that makes one purpose or one creature more important than another.

Our equality and value are unquestionable, judging, comparing and discriminating is an act of our ego to lift our negative self-image. Replacing these negative angels of our nature with love, reverence and acceptance of the value of others expands our perception and validates the beauty of every life we come across

6) Our purpose for being is to evolve into our highest self.

My past view of life was cynical; you lived, a lot of shit happened and—maybe—you did some good while experiencing some happy moments before you died.

Knowing I am meant to evolve into my highest self has given my life a richer meaning and has converted my experiences—even the painful ones—into important lessons that helped me evolve. This has given me great inner peace because, although this does not justify the evil and bad deeds done to me, I can see that everyone of us is doing the best we know how while we continue on the road to our highest self.

This also means I don’t have to worry about having the right house, partner, job and car because my success will not be measured in those terms.

Conclusion 

We are connected to a Source far beyond our individual self. Choosing to connect your heart and mind to it will bring you contentment and fulfillment.

Going through a difficult life transition?

You might benefit reading my latest memoir, Catch and Release: One Man’s Improbable Search for True Love and the Meaning of Life. It is my story about starting life over. Download a PDF of the first 5 chapters of Catch and Release for free.  To order your inscribed copy in either hardcover or paperback, click here (http://guillermovidal.me/shop/). Catch and Release is also available on Kindle here (https://www.amazon.com/Catch-Release-Improbable-Search-Meaning-ebook/dp/B07F26N1HS/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1535494644&sr=1-2). You can also subscribe to my free weekly newsletter on my website and receive motivation and encouragement to help you on your way to recovery.