These seven life lessons hold true, no matter where you are, what you do, and what your life goals are. They will lead to balance and success in every aspect of your life. Here are the first three-

• I learned to be true to myself: Take a step back and examine how you react to situations in life. Observe how you interact with various people. Notice the effects that certain people have on you.Study the types of environments that you thriving. If you have children, study them. Our children tend to pick up our character traits (including those that we try to hide),and You can learn a lot about yourself by watching your kids. As you discover who you are as a person (this is not a one day affair, by the way), Be more of that person that you discover. Lean into your strengths, and lean away from your weaknesses as you become more true to yourself. Be “more you”. I use this example a lot about how in my early 20s I wanted to be one of those soft spoken ladies, diplomatic, sweet, and not so talkative. I felt that that was the way to be. I would try it, and I would last for all of three minutes. If you have ever met me, you will know that when I laugh, the people in Australia can hear me. My voice is strident, and I talk a lot more than the average person. In fact, I only know three people that talk more than I do. When I meet people that talk more than I do, I actually notice. That is me. I have learned over the years to become more me, and be true to myself. This has led to more success in my life, as I have capitalized on my personal strengths, and who I am in order to get better at what I do.If you keep hiding who you are, because you feel that you are not good enough, you will never blossom or ever be able to find balance or purpose in your life. Be true to yourself.

• I learned to treat myself with dignity: Please treat yourself well. Treat your body like it is the most precious thing on earth. Treat your mind as though it is the wellspring of all knowledge. Treat your spirit as though God himself dwells within you. Too many times, we take care of everything, and everyone, and leave ourselves last. A lot of times, we want to exercise, eat right, and have good rest and sleep; but we do not prioritize these. We feed our minds all the junk that comes on TV, or social media, without discrimination. We neglect our spiritual state by not engaging in spiritual practices such as prayer, meditation, Bible reading, learning from Spiritual teachers, fellowship, etc. treat yourself with dignity. View yourself with the same care and reverence, that you would view your favorite celebrity. When you see yourself as important, worthy, lovable, and beautiful you will treat yourself with dignity. When you treat yourself with dignity, there are certain places you will not go, and certain practices you will not engage in; and certain people you will not hang around. There is a balance. This is not to tell you to become a haughty person. In fact, a haughty person is not treating themselves or the people around them with dignity. They are just being egocentric. Treat yourself with dignity, all the dignity that you deserve.

• I am not in competition with anybody: I have learned to radically embrace a life without competition. I am living my life, and not fighting anyone for anything. There is room at the top for everyone, just as the sky is big enough for billions of stars. Learn to collaborate with people, rather than compete with them. There is no quicker way to lose your balance in life, as well as your peace of mind, than to think that you have to keep up with other people, real or imagined. Just live your life. Do what you have to do, when you have to do it. Everyone has a different path in life. If you compare yourself to people, and compete with them, at what point in time do you get to enjoy your own life? Remember this, you are in competition with no one.

Next week, read the concluding part of: 7 Life Lessons That Always Hold True