Life has a way of being perfect and things sometimes happen in our day that are so unique or profound that we suddenly find ourselves seeing and experiencing life in a new and different way. Quite often such a change will last a lifetime.

This leads me to what many call "ah ha" moment. Still others may call it a "light bulb" moment, and you may even say it differently.

What is an "ah ha" moment, what is it when one experiences such a break through?

It is much like that moment when "thorny" gardener, by chance, missed a bud. The bud was not clipped. As a result on one very special morning, while franticly clipping buds, a rose bloom suddenly appeared.

In a field filled with thorny bushes that first rose bloom was easy to see and it's fragance could not be missed.

It is that first moment when we suddenly find ourselves, much like "thorny" gardener, standing in a field of thorns, holding in our hands our first experience of a rose bloom.

As we feel tender pedals caress our hands and experience air as it fills with sweet and gentle aroma of rose. It is then, as we look around that we realize what we didn't know. It is then that we experience "ah ha" moment.

We can suddenly see that our field of life can be filled with 1000's of rose blooms.

It is then we come to understand that all we have to do is stop clipping buds, start tending weeds, and enjoying blooms.

It is in that moment that life begins a new unless your like third gardener who won't except anything less than best.

If it's not perfect why bother!

Join me in 7 days for part 2 of "The Thorns of Opportunity..." The quest for ultimate victory.

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Selfless Service - Put welfare of nation, Army, and your subordinates before your own. Selfless service leads to organizational teamwork and encompasses discipline, self-control and faith in system.

Take care of your children, your parents, your siblings, and co-workers. Go ‘extra mile’ for your customers and clients, even if gains you nothing more than some personal satisfaction. Volunteer to take on tough job, or mundane job that others avoid.

Honor - Live up to all Army values.

Live up to values of your business, your community, your church, your family. Act accordingly, and others will recognize you as an individual of principled character. Don't fall into trap of, "but I just did what others did before me". Given choice, take 'high road'. Distinguish yourself from those who would be satisfied to do less.

Integrity - Do what is right, legally and morally.

Ask yourself, “Is this right thing to do? How does it reflect on who I am?” If your inner voice is sounding alarm, it’s doing so for a good reason. Avoid shortcuts, cheats, or otherwise doing less than what is expected. Don’t compromise yourself, your friends, family or business for some short-term satisfaction. Integrity offers long-term rewards that can't be acquired any other way.

Personal Courage - Face fear, danger, or adversity with physical and moral courage.

Is a boss asking you to do something questionable? Watched local bully pick on someone repeatedly? Been in a group that disparages a certain race or ethnicity? It may be safer to go along with crowd, or do nothing at all. It takes inner strength to stand up to peer pressure, bullies, social challenges, and moral dilemmas. It’s easy to be a follower…anyone can do that. True leadership requires all of one’s audacity, nerve and 'guts' to negotiate difficult roads that lie before us.

Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. These are values for everyone. No, they're not always easy to live up. Our standards are challenged all time. We make mistakes. Hopefully, we learn from them, and over time, these values become a part of who we are.

The best news is that if we emulate these values singularly, we become a better people collectively. And that is why values are so important. They set us apart from those who choose not to live up to them.

Joseph Yakel is Chief Warrant Officer 3 in the US Army, a freelance writer, and author of three books. His articles have appeared in numerous publications and Internet websites. Free chapter previews of his books are available at: http://www.lulu.com/yakel