"Knowing others is wisdom.

Knowing the self is enlightenment."

— Lao Tsu, Tao Te Ching

As you take the steps I've written about in this book, you can move toward enlightenment. The greatest gift you will ever receive is to fully realize you are an expression of God. This means that God is living in you, as you and through you. You are an avenue through which all good, all love, all peace can flow if you allow it. All that you need and could ever want is always available and can emerge through you and go out into the world. In this way you can make a difference in the world.

The steps to peace and serenity are to recognize and embody these truths, living and feeling them at your heart center. Connect with the Divine Essence that is your Inner Being, and know that is who and what your really are. Continue to meditate and pray daily. Stay in a place of always being aware of your thoughts, words and your actions. Look about you and see the glory of the Creator in nature.

You are a magnificent being because you are made by God out of Itself. Your potential is without limit. This also means that each person you see is an expression of the One God. Take the time to look into the eyes of each person whose path you cross. You are looking into the eyes of God. What a difference this realization can make in your life. As you go through your day, you will cross paths with many people. Each is living their life going through their own adversities and their own blessings. Therefore take nothing others may say or do as a personal affront. Know this truth about them and it will make your days easier and better. Your life will blossom in the realization of this truth.

Ernest Holmes said "thoughts are things." What we think, and what we say makes a difference in our perception of our life. What we believe becomes our reality. When we make a choice and allow it to unfold, it unfolds in the best way possible for us although we may not be able to discern this at the time. What we believe, we receive. In this way we create a better life for ourselves and those around us. There is a ripple effect. As we move more deeply into our spiritual development, our life changes for the better. When we are loving, generous and joyful, people around us respond in kind. Then things begin to fall into place seamlessly.

Eckart Tolle writes in his ground-breaking book A New Earth "We are here not only to experience limitation, but to grow in consciousness by going beyond limitation." We meet life's challenges knowing they are passing circumstances. We accept what is happening at the time and we move gracefully through each life challenge the best we can at the time. It is life happening. During times of stress we stay centered knowing that this too shall pass. We remember that we are spiritual beings having a human experience.

As you begin to realize this truth, you become empowered and ready to step out in the confidence of who you really are. You are unique. You are here to make a difference. You make this difference in the world with every thought you think, every word you speak and every step you take. You are God in action. You are the "Light of the World." Let your light shine.

As we grow on our spiritual journey, we become more deeply aware that life's not about getting and having. It's about being—being in the present. It's not about using the law to do something. It's about being someone that the law (God) will use.

Today I am seeing that there is a healing on this earth that is happening. It is happening in and through me and in and through each of you. It is moving across the continent and across the world. It is a healing of deep and great importance. There is a shifting of consciousness that is taking place, an amazing and wonderful shift in the awareness of many people. As this shift in consciousness reaches critical mass, it can change the world for the better. We don't have to say anything or do anything. We simply have to be that change. It is in this way that we can make a difference.

Finally, be fully aware that true and lasting serenity is reached through meditation. Contemplate the glory that is God in everything you see. Breathe in the essence of nature, the trees, flowers and grass. See each person you meet as an emanation of God. This is all God expressing as Its creation.