I think self-awareness is something we should all strive for. To be able to take a step back from a situation, to analyze how you are behaving or feelings, and to then put things in perspective, seems to me an invaluable skill. Sometimes it is easy to get swept up in emotion or just the pace of life and we stop considering how we are acting or how we are letting the events of our day effect us. However, I think that is what leads us to plateau in life. We are too busy being busy that we aren't making any progress.

Are the activities of your life enriching your soul or are they draining it? Are the activities of your life enriching the lives of others? Are you doing something impactful? Are you happy? Do you feel fulfilled? Are you doing things for the right reasons? Are you the person you want to be? If not, what is stopping you? Generally the answer to that question is: you. You are the only block between where you are now and the life you want to be living. So why are you stopping yourself?

Change can be scary, and often complacency disguises itself as comfort. But take a look at yourself and ask the hard questions. Because you only get one shot at this life, and while it isn't too late right now, in the blink of an eye it will be. That may sound morbid, but we have just a moment of time on this earth, so why not make your moment count for something? I want to be able to look back with pride on my life and to be able to say that I did something amazing. I know we don't always feel amazing, but that is not a reason to not strive for amazing each and everyday.

So, how do you stop being a self-stopper? I would start by practicing being self-aware. It only takes a moment, to breathe and assess your situation. Maybe you are getting really upset over something that is insignificant. If you can pause and realize that, maybe you can skip a day ruining experience. Maybe you can stop yourself before you take your frustrations out on someone you love. The only things that will come out of this second of reflection is positivity.

When you don't let the bad stuff knock you down, you are simply making room for the good stuff. So ask yourself what is the "bad stuff" in your life right now, and what can you do to get rid of it. What would you like to do to fill in those new spaces in your head? There are things that we have all been too afraid to try, but that is for the birds. Go be you with confidence, and find your good stuff. Fill your life with it, and share your happiness with everyone you meet.