In the context of this plane of Earthly existence as we know it, so many of us innately struggle with the feeling that there cannot be perfection in our lives, and with the awkward knowingness that bliss, personal excellence, or pure harmony are captured in fleeting moments at best. While we may all want to trust, to live life to the fullest, and have a sense of genuine connectedness and belonging to those around us, it is an elusive paradox in the context of our perception of everyday reality.

Much of the world engages in struggle and turmoil. In the core of our being, though, we sense that our Creator designed our world to bring about joy, love, growth, peace and harmony. Yet, if the prevailing paradigm in which we and the world around us operate determines our day to day reality, can our world ever truly be a sanctuary? Can we be who we are, play fully and live authentically and not feel subjected to discontent, criticism, condemnation or undue pain?

I was in a group setting this past week wherein the participants, allegedly operating from a safe and loving place, were instructed to seek each other out and share particular insights as to the other's limiting beliefs or behaviors. The group was constitutionally in agreement to work with one another in a loving and heart-centered way and to refrain from blame, shame, or judgment. We were to merely share our insights as an observer.

We as a microcosm consisted of participants from a number of countries, with an exquisite diversity of religious backgrounds. We spanned decades in chronological age as well. The cohesive measure was that of group trust, many hours spent under the same tutelage and mentorship, and a core agreement to do no harm. The exercise was supposed to be one of growth, an unveiling of our beliefs that we may have been in denial about that others had taken notice of, and an uncovering of strengths we may have been hiding from ourselves.

The exercise, while well intentioned and seemingly innocuous on the surface, quickly degenerated. Those who perceived themselves higher on the hierarchal food chain felt compelled and somehow duty bound to inflict pain in the form of their quite biased opinions. And many of us found ourselves psychically wounded by the people we were trusting, since, energetically, many of us had dropped our defenses and found ourselves embracing these opinions as truth. The statements were mere the opinions of others; much was taken out of context.

The essence of the exercise for me was that of assuming responsibility for personal choices.

We can choose to respond with love, patience, compassion and optimism to events because we become aware that these produce the best results. Fears arise, however, when we realize we have lost trust in ourselves and those around us. As we begin to explore and experience the relationship between thought and creation, we eventually begin to realize how our moment to moment intention is a construct and yet is specifically determining every aspect of our lives.

The realization that we already contain within ourselves all resources is the key to unlock the fulfillment we are seeking. The personal alignment with this realization is the moment to moment challenge. The choice is ours alone.

By embracing this awareness we can effectuate change in our lives and insulate ourselves from the psychic pollution, external judgments, and unfounded beliefs that do not resonate with us. We can consciously choose tranquility rather than chaos, unity rather than dissension, and yes, love in place of hatred not only for ourselves but for those around us as well. And with this awareness, we move closer to knowing that personal serenity on this worldly plane can become a reality rather than a nebulous and elusive otherworldly prize.