I used to pray for blessings, wisdom, and protection.  It was like a spiritual Christmas list of self-improvement and my well intentioned desires for others.  As time passed, I realized that most of my prayers for myself were within my own power to resolve.  That the actual act of prayer or meditation was the moment when I was most humble.  When I gave up my own existence to something greater.  My thoughts are clear.  My heart and my mind are at peace.

When I asked God for help and wisdom, I was asking for “on the fly” help to my daily decision making.  Whether that was related to acting with generosity and love or catching myself protecting my ego.

What I was granted was the self-awareness to Pause.  To recognize true power is perfect defenselessness.  The choice NOT to respond.  Stillness.  Quiet.