Consider this: Did you choose the situations you were born into? Did you have any say in who your parents were, the kind of home you grew up in, or the circumstances that shaped you genetically, geographically, economically, or emotionally? As the author of The Four Agreements points out, you didn’t even choose your own name.

As Sun Tzu, ancient strategist, philosopher, and military general, states in The Art of War; “He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight".

“If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will be defeated in every battle. If you know the enemy and you know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles".

In these chaotic times that we live in, such wise statements can and should be used to our advantage. Sun Tzu’s concepts can readily be applied to the work of self-cultivation as they have much to do with developing discipline and self-knowledge; developing an awareness of the people and the world around us; as well as the importance of context and timing in our lives.

Life being a game of chess, not checkers, we have to think in terms of strategies, tactics, and the importance of planning several steps ahead.

And the "enemy" it speaks of might be applied to an actual enemy or debilitating conditions such as poverty, oppression or depression.

In addition, sometimes the biggest obstacles stem from a person’s own self-sabotaging ways, or anger and control issues.

These have to be acknowledged and addressed, because you are the only one who knows the full extent of the issues you are dealing with.

“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds". (Bob Marley)

Strategic mindfulness and emotional freedom come from not wasting our valuable time; and learning from the wisdom (as well as from the mistakes) of others.

Our focus becomes striving to be better versions of ourselves. Be full of gratitude.