Prana is all around us—permeating everything from the dirt beneath our feet to the stars above our heads. This life force is influenced by the energies of the stars and planets, which is a key principle in astrology. Just as the moon influences the ocean’s tides, the alignment of celestial bodies affects our lives. By understanding these energies, we can use prana to our advantage, helping us live more fulfilled and balanced lives.

Certain days of the week are energetically aligned with specific activities. Here’s a quick guide to optimizing your week:

​Exercise

Rest

Work

Negotiations

Remember, just because you can't see prana doesn't mean it isn't there—much like electricity before it was discovered. It's crucial to plan our lives thoughtfully. When do we work? When do we rest? When do we heal? If we don't prioritize our needs, we'll find ourselves catering to the priorities of others. Now, with this understanding of the energetic influences of the days of the week, you can create more balance, peace, and success in your life, whatever that means to you!

Low self-esteem and negative pride often go hand in hand, much like classic pairings such as Jordan and Pippen or autumn and pumpkin spice. Negative pride arises from a place of arrogance, ego, superiority, or righteousness. While it’s natural to take pride in our achievements, negative pride stems from these lower mindsets.

Think about it—most of us have encountered someone who exhibits these traits. When we meet someone who appears arrogant or self-righteous, our initial reaction might be to reject or judge them. They seem to position themselves as "better" than others, which doesn’t sit well with us.

But what if we could see the truth beneath the surface? As Master Choa Kok Sui teaches, "Negative pride and low self-esteem are two sides of the same coin." When we encounter negative pride in others—or in ourselves—it’s often low self-esteem in disguise.

​You don’t have to accept this idea outright—just consider it. We all have moments of negative pride, flashes where we feel superior or critical of others. Anytime we criticize someone, thinking our perspective is the only truth, we’re engaging with negative pride. By recognizing that these thoughts of criticism are actually reflections of our own insecurities, we begin the process of transformation and personal growth.

What does it mean to suffer? In Buddhist teachings, this concept is known as "dukkha," often translated as "suffering." In our modern world, suffering often manifests as stress, anxiety, anger, depression, and sadness—emotions that can lead to unhealthy behaviors and negatively impact our lives. While I’m not a Buddhist, I believe there’s valuable wisdom in every religion that we can all learn from. The Buddha taught that one of the main causes of human suffering is "unregulated, excessive desires," or clinging.

So, are we all stage-five clingers at heart? In short, yes. While we may no longer cling to a high school crush, as adults, many of us cling to things like control, comfort, and lifestyle. Think about it—how do you react when something in your life starts to feel out of control, when someone disrupts your routine, or when life forces a significant change, such as the loss of a loved one? These are the things we cling to—the excessive desires for uninterrupted control and happiness that, when disturbed, cause us great suffering.

There’s a saying: "If you want to hear God laugh, make plans." This quote resonates because, no matter how much we plan, life inevitably throws us curveballs. Whether it’s a detour on your commute or the loss of a loved one, when our desire for stability and control becomes excessive, even the smallest change can lead to great suffering.

​​The trick, though simple in theory, is difficult in practice: embrace change. When we shift our attitude from clinging to specific outcomes to cultivating gratitude for whatever happens, we invite peace, acceptance, and love into our lives instead of stress, disapproval, or resentment. The best we can do is set ourselves up for success—plan, stay healthy, do our best—but also remain open. Be accepting of what comes and trust that life is happening for us, not to us. Perhaps there are forces greater than ourselves that know exactly what we need in life. When we live in a state of peace, love, and acceptance, suffering dissipates, allowing us to truly enjoy life, no matter what lies ahead.