Good morning…are you awake this morning? Are you awake to your life? Are you awake to possibilities? Are you conscious that you are living? I apologize to have to tell you this but it takes more then a cup of coffee to wake up to life. You can have both eyes fully open and still be in a full slumber of what your life is about.

So how do you know if you are awake and in a state of awareness? There are various methods of knowing but here are a few sure ways of testing your state of wakefulness and consciousness. If you can relate and you understand the methods listed below then I congratulate you…you are taking an active part of your life! If the methods make no sense, don’t fret…there are many ways to reaching a state of wakefulness and it’s a wonderful process to take part in; after all this is a wake-up call to your life!

You have the ability to observe your life: You can feel fully assure that you are in a state of consciousness when you can become an observer and guide to your own life. The only way to really take a look at yourself and your life is from miles away and become a detach outsider to your own life. This means you have learned and are able to ask yourself those real hard questions and face the real truths of your life and self. You don’t criticize, judge, condemn, praise, or admire yourself instead you watch, observe, learn and study who you are, what you do, how you react and what you feel. In your state of consciousness and as an outsider to your life (also known as being egoless) you don’t react to life instead you create your realities, circumstances, and outcomes.

You are in control of your life: Being in control of your life is a by product of being in a state of consciousness and awareness as well as a method of knowing. When you are in control of your life it means that outside forces, sources and influences do no control, affect or guide your life. You consider, acknowledge and observe everything you come in contact with but only allow what you need, want and desire to impact your decisions, feelings, moods, thoughts, outlook, behavior, views and so on. Nothing can permeate through and cause a reaction, response or action without your consent.

You feel true compassion for others: When you reach a certain level of consciousness there is a shift that takes place in your heart and soul that makes you very compassionate towards the rest of mankind. You realize the consequences of your actions, words and conduct towards others (family, friends and strangers) because you are cognizant of all the detrimental effects certain actions have had towards you in the past (before you learned to not be affected by them.) You show compassion, kindness, sensitivity; care, concern, understanding and sympathy for what others are experiencing and going through with absolute selflessness.

Everyday is a choice: Here is an interesting mean of knowing that you are in a wakeful state of mind…Everyday you know you have a choice to make to be awake or to close your eyes and door to your consciousness. Living in a state of mindfulness and attentiveness can be very taxing, exhausting and challenging. So everyday and in certain moments if you find yourself wondering if it would be easier to just go with the rest of society, your work environment, friends and family, general opinion and the certain flow that seems to surround you then you definitely are in a wakeful state of mind. You realize that there is a general path you can take, a state of mind you can share with everyone else, a routine you can accept and follow, and a box you can live in. You make the choice everyday to be responsible and accountable to yourself, to be who you are and to be ALIVE. You are conscious and awake and I am extremely proud of you.

Ann Bernard is a professional life coach and strong advocate to helping others realize the importance of living a full and conscious life. It's so easy to go with the flow and general opinion of others but it does have a price...the price is to never realize your full potential and state of wakefulness. Life is about the here and now and who you are...so why is it so hard to live that way? Visit http://coachingyourfuture.com and find out more.

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