Are the Best Things in Life Free? Life, love, time, health, reputation, and freedom are things that people often considered as free, possibly, because no amount of money can buy us any of them. Each of these important parts of life requires someone to pay a price. As women, we realize that life is brought forth in pain and love. Love is something that is not an accident. It grows over time, if it is nourished and nurtured. Time flees, never to return. Health must be built over a lifetime by consuming good wholesome foods, participating in physical activity, being in caring relationships, and having a purpose in life that brings satisfaction and peace to your spirit. A reputation is built or destroyed by what each individual does and says.

For many years, I have witnessed numerous women lose one or more of these precious gifts in life and despair. Unfortunately, most women don't realize that they themselves had much to do with the loss, due to careless inattention and neglect to do the little things that could have made the difference.

When we fail to sit down and reflect for a moment on what is really important and on how we can be of service to ourselves, our families, others, and our society, we sometimes waste our energies on goals that bring money and possible fame, but not inner peace and joy. We become self-centered, selfish, demanding, and out of sync with nature, our spirits and our environment.

Love is the key to happiness. Over two thousand years ago a man named Jesus and his followers proclaimed that we should treat others, as we wanted to be treated. We should love others, as ourselves. Love our neighbors. We were instructed to good to those who mistreat us. This philosophy ?turned the world upside down.? It taught people to love others on all levels. This was an unconditional love that left no barriers between peoples. It requires us to act as servants to one another.

Today many people call this teaching by many names, but the principals remain the same. To become truly successful in any part of our lives, we must take care of our physical bodies, open up our spiritual lives, love our family members, love others and do ?good? to all mankind. This elevates our sights and causes each of us to realize that happiness is making other people happy.

During my many adventures in this beautiful world, I have had the marvelous opportunities to teach both children and adults to value the fragile gifts of life, love, time, health, freedom, so that they might be recognized as people of great character and reputation. Again and again, I am awed by the commonality found in lives of those who love unconditionally. They know no strangers and endeavor to help all that pass their way. In business, they don't step on others, but they lift others as they pass. Their family members are treated as special people who are given their time and attention.

Sadly today, the average American mother spends less than five minutes teaching and nurturing their child each day. A professor, who studies gangs, stated that, children stayed out of gangs, if just one person took time to make that child feel good about being his/her unique self. That child does not want that special person to be disappointed in them, so they stayed away from gangs. Look at your relationships. Are you giving loving thought and time to those most important in your life?

I feel blessed to be associated with the BraveHeart Global Women's Community, as a Founding Member, as we help women and children use their creativity abilities to build productive useful lives.