Definitions: (1) having a firm and resolute character; stability of purpose; (2) the most substantial or sturdiest part; the foundation

Synonyms: courage, determination

Idiom: Keep a stiff upper lip.

Quotes:
• To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone. — Reba Nell McEntire (1955-) American singer
• You are the age of your spine. You are as flexible as your spine. That transfers to other areas of your life. — Diane Colleen Lane (1965-) American actress

Definitions: (1) having knowledge or realization; conscious; cognizant; (2) informed; alert; (3) keenly perceptive

Synonyms: apprised, sensible

Quotes:
• The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness. — Lao-tse (6^th Century BC) Chinese mystic philosopher
• The more decisions that you are forced to make alone, the more you are aware of your freedom to choose. — Thornton Niven Wilder (1897–1975) American playwright

Reflection: We travel through life no matter what; the clock only moves in one direction. No matter how momentous a moment is, your whole life has led up to this now. We boost the value of each moment by being aware of its actual and potential worth.

Definitions: (1) having knowledge or realization; conscious; cognizant; (2) informed; alert; (3) keenly perceptive

Synonyms: apprised, sensible

Quotes:
• The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness. — Lao-tse (6^th Century BC) Chinese mystic philosopher
• The more decisions that you are forced to make alone, the more you are aware of your freedom to choose. — Thornton Niven Wilder (1897–1975) American playwright

Reflection: We travel through life no matter what; the clock only moves in one direction. No matter how momentous a moment is, your whole life has led up to this now. We boost the value of each moment by being aware of its actual and potential worth. 

Definitions: (1) aroused or active; (2) conscious or aware; (3) to stir up; excite; invigorated with new life

Synonyms: animated, incited, provoked, stimulated

Quotes:
• The sleeper must awaken. — Frank Patrick Herbert Jr. (1920-1986) Dune {1965}
• Every time a cell becomes more awake within us, God becomes fuller. — Linda Ohlson Graham (1947-) American poet

Comment: We are all awake to a certain point. But there is always more we have not discovered yet, not to mention revelations from spiritual sources. The future holds so much promise which will only happen when we envision, and work towards, a world of peace and compassion.

Admonition: Take conscious, positive steps to be awake in each moment.

Definitions: (1) one who is willing or qualified to do something or to assume a responsibility <available for service>; (2) suitable or prepared for use; at hand; (3) readily obtainable; accessible

Quotes:
• When the preferable is not available, the available becomes preferable. — Israelmore Ayivor (1989-) Ghanaian youth leadership coach
• Common sense is one of the most unused commodities available to man. — Craig D. Lounsbrough (1963-) American author & Professional counselor

Definitions: (1) undertaken or carried on without outside control; self-contained; self-guided; self-taught; (2) independent; self-governing; self-ruling; (3) acting in accordance with one’s moral duty rather than one’s desires; a self-starter

Derivation: Greek, “having its own laws”

Quotes:
• Listen to the desires of your children. Encourage them and then give them the autonomy to make their own decision. — Denis E. Waitley (1933-) American motivational speaker
• Without free, self-respecting, and autonomous citizens there can be no free and independent nations. Without internal peace, that is, peace among citizens and between the citizens and the state, there can be no guarantee of external peace. — Vaclav Havel (1936-2011) ) Czech poet and politician; Last President of Czechoslovakia & First President of the Czech Republic

Definitions: (1) having or proceeding from accurate knowledge; (2) asserting control; commanding

People Who Exemplify This Quality: Parents

Too Far: dictatorial

Quotes:
• We all dream dreams of unity, of purity; we all dream that there’s an authoritative voice out there that will explain things, including ourselves. — Junot Diaz (1968-) Dominican-American writer
• You can delegate authority, but you cannot delegate responsibility. — Byron Leslie Dorgan (1942-) American author, politician, & businessman

Symbols: 1) the fist; 2) the hand

Definitions: (1) worthy of acceptance or belief <an authentic idea>; genuine; real; (2) approved by authority; trustworthy; reliable; (3) true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character; unique

Synonyms: credible, faithful, official, original

Quote:
• The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love, and to be greater than our suffering. — Ben Okri (1959-) Nigerian-British poet
• That inner voice has both gentleness and clarity. So to get to authenticity, you really keep going down to the bone, to the honesty, and the inevitability of something. — Meredith Jane Monk (1942-) American vocal innovator

Definitions: (1) a high-minded attitude; (2) a promise of good fortune; encouraging activity; prosperous opportunity

Derivation: Sanskrit, “kind,” “gracious” 

Synonyms: advantageous, favorable, lucky, propitious, successful

Quote: Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue. — Siddhartha Gautama “The Buddha” (c. 563-483 bc) Nepalese holly man

Theological Figure: Shiva {The Auspicious One} [the “transformer” of the Hindu Trimurti]

Definitions: (1) appealing to a natural interest; exciting one’s emotional or aesthetic sense; (2) arousing interest or pleasure; alluring; charming; inviting

Synonyms: engaging, fascinating, heart-stirring, prepossessive, winning

Too Far: egotistical

Quotes:
• If you focus more on the inside, you’ll feel just as great about the outside. I feel attractive when I’m doing good and helping people. — Lauren Keyana “Keke” Palmer (1993-) American actress
• There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first; when you learn to live for others, they will live for you. — Paramabansa Yogananda [born Mukunda Lal Ghosh] (1893-1952) Indian Hindu monk, yogi, & guru

Comment: One’s physical attributes help form one’s other qualities. Because the outside world responds to physical beauty, a pretty or handsome person will react to that stimulus. If they get caught up in the attention paid them, without balancing it with charm and humility, they may end up with an inflated sense of self-worth.