We all find ourselves in a dark place at different points in our life. A place of despair and hopelessness. A place from which there seems to be no hope. What we must remember is that the moon is darkest when it is closest to the sun. A dark place is never far from light.

We all know how difficult it is to exercise self-discipline. This is why when we are raised with discipline it makes it so much easier. Structure and limits become ingrained within us. When we raise our children without structure and limits, when we are a yes parent, we aren't being nice. We are being very, very mean. Why? Our children will suffer greatly from this later in life. As difficult as it is for a parent to implement structure and limits, it's far more difficult to later in life.

To be able to acknowledge our wrongdoings is far better than denying them. You can only fix what you are willing to face. When we are denial, we leave ourselves little hope. This is why knowing the problem is half the solution. No one can be blamed for being imperfect, we all are. We can be blamed for not dealing with our imperfections.

You own a car. You live in a nice home. You have a closet full of clothing. Are you too materialistic? If materialistic was defined by using material objects, yes, but this isn't what makes someone materialistic. Materialistic is a shallow world view. It's when we only value appreciate things and people for their material aspect without appreciating and engaging their deeper aspect and true value. Now ask yourself, are you materialistic?