Self-awareness is, first, observing the thoughts, feelings and desires that often appear in our minds. Second, it is recognizing that we can pause for a second, not allowing that thought, feeling or desire to defeat us.

For the past seven years, I’ve journalled at 6 a.m. for 30 minutes in a black Moleskine soft-cover notebook. Sometimes I write five pages, and others (especially when travelling) I miss a day or two. But I can’t recall a month that has passed that I haven’t completed 90% of my journaling days.