There’s an old saying, “Neither a borrower nor a lender be.” It comes from Shakespeare and it means don’t lend or borrow from a friend, because if you do so, you will lose both your friend as well as what you thought you’d gained in the exchange.

I’m borrowing this week because a blogger friend told me that the following was a good read, and I agreed; so now I’ve ‘borrowed it’ — with credit to the author — and all I need from you is to lend me a couple of minutes of your rambling attention span.

11 Habits of a Strong Soul,

by Tanaaz Chubb

Life is always sending us challenges, twists and turns. This is necessary because it is how we truly grow and evolve into our fullest potential.

On some level, we are all strong souls that have a purpose and a mission, but the strongest of souls are the ones who have developed these 11 life habits:

1. Letting Go

Strong souls know when it is time to let go of what no longer serves them. They also know that through letting go, something new will always arrive.

2. Taking Responsibility

Strong souls know how important it is to take responsibility for their lives and to own every choice, decision, thought and feeling.

3. Following Their Instincts

Strong souls know the importance of following their instincts and follow their inner voice to make even the most important decisions.

4. Trusting

Strong souls trust in the Universe and know that their needs will always be supported. They also trust that there is a divine timing and that everything is unfolding at the perfect time, in the perfect way.

5. Loving

Strong souls know the importance of not only loving themselves and others, but also all living creatures, plants and mother earth. They understand that love is who we truly are at our core.

6. Embracing Change

Strong souls know how important it is to be open to change and to welcome change as a new opportunity to grow.

7. Staying Present

Strong souls know that by keeping their energy in the present moment and not getting too caught up in the past and future, they can make the best decisions and feel most at peace.

8. Self Belief

Strong souls know that they can achieve anything as long as they believe in themselves. They know the power of self-belief and use it to drive their ambition and motivation.

9. Tuning Into Abundance

Strong souls know that abundance is not something that they have to tap into, but rather something that is already within. They know that the Universe will always provide for them and that money is simply an exchange of energy.

10. Being Grateful

Strong souls know that the only way to find peace is to be grateful for everything and every experience that enters their lives. They know that gratitude is also the birth of creation and ultimately leads the way to manifesting more.

11. Acceptance

Strong souls know that it is important to accept everyone for who they are and to not judge others for what they say and do. Strong souls know that we are all here on our own personal journey and that we are all just doing the best we can with what we know.

Maybe if we all adopt some of these habits in our lives we can start to strengthen our own souls and create a life that feels good from the inside out.

Thanks, Joan.

GENE MOTLEY is a staff writer at Roanoke-Chowan Publications. Contact him at gene.motley@r-cnews.com.