Believe it or not, empowered people accept themselves for who they are, embracing both their good points and their bad points. In other words, they accept themselves for who, and what, they are. It is this that gives them the 'edge' over most other people. Reaching such a point
of self-acceptance is not easy, especially if their upbringing as a child had been one of difficulty, but it is possible.

If you do not feel that you accept yourself – or do not accept yourself as much as you'd like – and want to do so, then one answer lies in the ability to meditate. In the silence of meditation, it is
possible to connect with the inner self. It is a place where problems can be solved.

Meditation allows you to remove yourself from the hustle and bustle of your environment where you spend most of your time living and thinking. It gives you a chance to be silent and connect with the core of your inner being, where wisdom lies in waiting.

Meditation brings inner calm – a calmness which is the key to being outwardly calm, where the pressures of the 'real' world can be overcome.

Empowered people know the value of quiet time, and if it's not through meditation it is through taking time out from their busy lives to be solitary. Alone time is so incredibly important to well-being.

Christian mystics, Buddhist wise men and Muslim prophets have all argued the value of finding time for inward living.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh, widow of aviator Charles Lindbergh, believed self-knowledge was discovered through solitude, saying that 'certain springs are tapped only when we are alone'. She made it a point to find some time each day for quiet contemplation.

It's the 'quiet contemplation' which is important. To most people, meditation requires them to sit in the lotus position and think of nothing. (Have you ever tried to think of nothing? As soon as you say, "I am going to think of nothing, every thought in creation wants to enter your mind!) This is so far from the truth! If you walk along the beach, you will find yourself becoming more relaxed – this is a walking meditation. If you have art or craftwork as your hobby, I'm sure you can become so involved in it that the world disappears and you can forget about it … this is also a form of meditation.

It was Thomas Merton, a 20th century monk, poet and philosopher who wrote: "The most significant voyage of discovery is to cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves." He then posed the question: What can we gain by sailing to the moon if we can not cross the abyss
that separates us from ourselves? What, indeed! Do you think it is time for you to make your own voyage across the abyss?

You do? That's fantastic! Come back soon because I will be giving you some practical hints and tips on how to meditate.

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About the author: Barbara Rose is a mentor, coach, teacher and
alternative therapist who specializes in helping people reach their
potential at all levels (spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical).
Please visit www.barbaras-library.com for a complete list of Barbara's
articles and books. To find out more about Barbara please go to
www.barbara-rose.name.
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