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\u00ab\u00a0It is not the beauty of a building you should look at; it\u2019s the construction of the foundation that will stand the test of time.\u00a0\u00bb \u2013\u00a0David Allan Coe<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n What are you building right now? Are you building happiness? A career you love? A loving family? Maybe you\u2019re building an empire? Recently I asked myself some of these questions, which forced me to examine what foundation I have created in order to prosper and build upon. This was a \u201ctell the truth and shame the devil\u201d moment. Taking an honest look at yourself with a loving heart can make a world of difference in creating or continuing to create the world you want. This is a huge act of self-care and love. One way we express our self-value is by taking a tender inward gaze at what we are doing, where we have been, where we are going, and what we are poised to become. And then with reverence, refine and proceed ahead.<\/p>\n The fifth limb of yoga,\u00a0pratyahara<\/em>, directs yoga practitioners to regulate our senses from the external world so that we can delve deeper into our true nature and the inner world. This inner reflection can provide the sustenance for organic creation from which we can begin to build and deliver into the world.<\/p>\n My father was a general contractor. During one winter and spring when I was about 9 years old, he drafted the architectural plans for the addition he was adding to our family home. In the summer it all went down and we each had our jobs. Let me tell you, nailing the 2 x 4\u2019s, erecting the outer structure, hanging the dry wall, applying putty, painting, laying the shingles on the roof, etc., were the easy parts. But that foundation!\u00a0It was a beast! And it seemed to take forever! Building a foundation is a thankless but necessary process. The stability from taking the care to build one solidly will make everything else shine. When the addition was finished it was gorgeous. Neighbors, friends, and family would come over to see how it came out. They would say things like: \u201cOh, what beautiful and spacious closets.\u201d \u201cThe color of the paint is gorgeous!\u201d \u201cThe windows are just fantastic.\u201d \u201cThe bathroom counters are so lovely!\u201d Not a single person said a word about the foundation. Not one. A thankless but necessary element.<\/p>\n Once again, I ask you: What are you building right now? It\u2019s always the right time to look yourself in the mirror\u2014with loving eyes\u2014tell the truth, and make the adjustments necessary so you can surge ahead unabashedly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2014<\/p>\n