We create our own destiny with our choices and decisions. We can base these decisions upon the awareness of our inner truth or we can base them on reactions to outer circumstances. This power always belongs to us. No one can take it from us.

The times in our lives in which we feel that we have the least power are actually the times when we have the most. Those are the times in which we affirm or redefine who we are, what we believe, and make choices that can impact ourselves and those we encounter for a lifetime.

Kindness is something that we must own and extend to ourselves, before we are able to extend it to others. When we do this, we do not determine whether someone deserves our kindness anymore than we determine whether someone deserves to be spoken to in their own language. It is simply something we do because it has become our nature to be kind.

All people want and have the right to be treated with Dignity and Respect, No Exceptions. The only way we can do this is by separating people from their behavior. Behavior is not always worthy of respect, but the person always is.

What we notice is what resonates with our inner perspective. We tend to overlook what does not connect with our current attitude or sense of awareness. When it comes to a tragic occurrence, do we focus on the horror stories or on the stories of courage and support? Both are available to us.

Power is not something that we can bestow on another person. It is something he or she already has within and will struggle to retain. Empowerment means that we acknowledge the personal power each person has to make positive decisions and to take responsibility for them, a simple exercise in treating others with dignity and respect.