My aunt, Sister Mary Jeanette, celebrated her 95th birthday last week. I so admire her courage, commitment and strength. Her life is a story of faith.

When Sister Jeanette was a teenager, she heard the inner call to enter the convent.  When she told her parents her news, her father told her he did not have the money for her dowry needed to enter the convent. She left school and worked as a nanny and housekeeper until she earned enough for her dowry. When the time came for her to leave, my grandfather didn’t own a car, so he hired a driver to take them to Fall River, Massachusetts where she entered the order of Felician Franciscan Sisters.

It was two years before her family had the chance to see her again. Life in the convent was hard work. With no teaching experience, she was given a class of second graders to teach. Catholic schools were bursting at the seams in those days and it was not a surprise to find classroom sizes of 40 to 50 students. She learned quickly and excelled at teaching. She was sent to New York City and throughout the New England states to teach during her years of service. Many of her students stay in contact with her and share stories of their families and their lives.

Sister Jeanette has been in the Felician order for 72 years. Her story is one of surrender and love. She realized her calling early on and never questioned her decision or her devotion. She followed her heart to serve God and serve humanity.  There were times that were challenging but she has never lost faith.

Her life is a reminder to walk in faith at whatever we are called to do. Every job is an opportunity to serve humanity. Every task is an opportunity to express love. I am grateful for the blessing to learn from my aunt and to be inspired by her life of faith.

Life can be so intense these days. We have instant news from around the world that is up close and personal. Dealing with all of it can sometimes leave feeling like we are moving through a fog: a little unclear what step to take next and most uncertain about what is on the other side.

The fog clouds the mind and creates confusion, low energy, high anxiety and an inability to accomplish anything. The impulse is to shake off the fog as quickly as possible and get on with life. Don’t stop, don’t look back, move on ahead.

I recently found myself in such a frustrating state. I can’t afford to be in a fog when I need to be working on my goals, checking off my to-do list, leaping over tall buildings with a single bound and other such activities in my quest to serve the world.

I stopped where I was and took some time to meditate. By focusing on my breath instead of my thoughts, I felt more centered. With my mind at rest I felt more peace in my body. As I felt peace in my body, I was open to possibilities. I eventually got back to my list and my life.

Taking the time to meditate connects us with our divinity. We don’t have to do things alone, we can access the universal power that surrounds us and nurtures us. It is the power that pierces the fog and guides our journey with grace. Blessings for a clear and peaceful journey.

Self-judgment is a particularly painful pastime for women. We judge ourselves with outdated tapes and messages. The inner critic is constantly badgering us with should and have to. Not to mention the frequent reminders: You can’t have what you want. You’re not good enough. How on earth do you think you can pull that off?

Would you repeat the inner judgments you say to yourself to someone you loved? We wouldn’t think of it. Yet, we beat ourselves up mentally and verbally until we are left exhausted, powerless, and immobilized. Self-criticism and judgment are debilitating habits. They break down our faith, erode self-esteem, and stir up feelings of shame.

Each of us is a divine being filled with beauty, love, and light. We are extraordinary individuals with unique talents, gifts, and abilities. Each of us has overcome obstacles, tackled tough problems, and accomplished courageous deeds. It’s up to us to acknowledge ourselves. It takes practice to be our own best friend and praise the good we’ve done. The more we focus on the good we see in ourselves, the more opportunities we attract and deepen in positive self-esteem.

As we release judgment of ourselves and those around us, we become aware of the exquisite beauty of nature around us. We begin to see ourselves as a temple for our living spirit and as a vessel to receive God’s love.

It’s time we acknowledge our beauty and accomplishments, accept our own compassion for being human, and celebrate our divinity. You would want that for your best friend, wouldn’t you?

[An excerpt from my new book Authentic Spirituality: A Woman’s Guide to Living an Empowered Life]