“Muddy water, let stand becomes clear.”
~ Lao Tzu (c.604-531 B.C.)

Every once in a while for many different reasons, we have moments of clarity and you know something in the core of your being. It brings a peace inside of you and a sense of resolve. The hard part is holding on to that realization. Not letting the water of life become muddy. A lot of times we have a tendency to do things and not think of the consequences. We run with our emotions or our ideas of what we think we want. But life is about making choices. And taking responsibility for those choices. I know I’ve been guilty of not respecting myself, for making choices that hurt myself and others. We all do it at times. We’re human. But at some point, we have to stand up for ourselves and do what we know is right and retain that moment of clarity. And say that I respect myself enough to stand up for my dignity and my integrity. And that I will make choices that are true to myself but also respectful to others.

Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself.
- Abraham J. Heschel