One of the secrets to a happy life

Self-awareness is critical to a happy, balanced life.

The dictionary defines it as "conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires.

Take a deep dive within yourself and explore that which makes you happy, sad, excited, nervous, peaceful.

Analyze your words.

Assess your motives.

Delve into your deepest desires.

Only by paying attention to your feelings can you truly get to know yourself -- the things that make you unique, the inherent qualities that set you apart.

It's not about criticizing yourself, but rather being cognizant of your patterns of thought and behavior.

Just because you acknowledge your faults doesn't mean you dwell on them. But recognizing them enables you to decide which ones you're willing to accept as well as the ones that call for change.

Self-awareness doesn't necessarily stop you from making mistakes -- it allows you to learn from them so that you're less apt to repeat them in the future.

It also enables you to learn from your successes so that you may continue to build upon them.

Billie Jean King once said, "I think self-awareness is probably the most important thing towards being a champion."

For his part, Lao Tzu reasoned that, "He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened."

When you know yourself, you're empowered. When you accept yourself, you're practically invincible. And when you love yourself, you are firmly positioned to love others.

Without self-awareness, we cannot reach our fullest potential -- thus the reason it's so pivotal to reaching one's goals and ensuring a happy life.

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