Stay connected to the essence of who you are. Take care of the body to free the mind. Take care of the mind to free the soul. Hone your awareness of yourself as a spirit on yet another journey through the veils of earthly existence, seeking always the higher self residing within. All beings are spiritual entities of the highest magnitude, energy beings seeking wholeness, no different from you. Respect each other as you wish to be respected. That is the highest compliment you can pay another, respect at all times. No matter the journey selected or the choices made, grant respect to the struggling spirit within.

It is not enough to walk the walk and talk the talk. That is ego. To truly walk the walk and talk the talk is to fully embody what that means. And what does that mean? To embody the walk and the talk is to live from within every day, consciously honing every thought, action and deed, activating them from deep within the self where the real work is done, the work of balancing and aligning with true spirit. And then you will walk the walk and talk the talk most easily and naturally.

Watch what you think and say. Watch how you speak to the self and to others. Watch what you do and how you respond to the world around you? Are you thankful, kind and compassionate at all times? Or are you bitter, resentful or angry? Do you feel slighted, neglected and ignored? Or are you grateful for your life? Even though your life may seem difficult to you now, know that it is only a test, offering you the gift of transformation, offering the substance by which you will transform. There is no change without substance, no fire without first the sharp spark, no wholeness without first the breaking down, no day without night.

Begin each day not only intent upon walking the walk or talking the talk but by really doing it inside the self, for that is where your walk and your talk really originate from. Though you might have looked to another to imitate, now look away, only inward, and begin the deeper transformative journey that will naturally unfold. Pay attention by becoming conscious of what is going on inside the self. That is where the real journey begins.

Nurture and love the earth you live upon, the self that you are, and the self that you seek to become. As you place your foot upon the ground give thanks and gratitude to Mother Earth, and with your intent set watch your path of heart unfold before you. Prepare for and greet your path of heart always with positive thoughts, and match it with plenty of good vibrations from within and your journey will be one of union and bliss. With open heart and mind, allow the energy of life to guide you toward new life.

Renew your vows to yourself as you take the first steps on your new journey today. Make this year the year of wholeness, the year of deep work and change, the year that you will declare at its end “was like no other.” All of this will take dedication and effort, a firm commitment to the self, and good, heart-centered decisions to treat the self to all that is necessary for progress to be made on a daily basis. Today begins the new journey. Your path of heart awaits you with open arms. Take that first step with compassion, kindness, and love.

How do you choose to make this day, a traditionally established day of transition, meaningful? Will you do as you always have? Perhaps get a little too engrossed in the festivities? Or will you use this time to force a transition, long needed and long avoided? The choice is yours. But keep in mind the gift being offered, a specific time now set upon you for concerted effort to be practiced and change to be intended. This is not sacrificial time but offering time. Ponder this as you prepare for this day.

Ahead of you is offering time, granted and laid before you. Will you approach the altar of offering and make your own offering in return, allowing something to be let go of and something else to be allowed in? In a leaving there is also a new beginning, and in bother there is action, meaning, and energy transference. It is a good day to provide the self not only with encouragement and incentive, but also with release of the desires of your spirit, for it will gladly take this day to urge you forward. The choice is yours. See how powerful you are? You even have the power to supersede the desires of your spirit—now that is something! But is that how you want to live? Today is a day of offering; remember that.