“For the mind disturbed, the still beauty of dawn is nature’s finest balm”.
— Edwin Way Teale

With the fast pace of life, it is important to take some time to still your mind throughout the day. This can be accomplished through meditation, or simply by finding moments to be alone in quiet thought.

You may also find it helpful to take some deep breaths while you are in your quite time, closing your eyes and focusing on the inner you. Even a few seconds of stilling the mind will be beneficial to producing a sense of calm and getting a new perspective on life. Extend those moments whenever you can from seconds to minutes and you may discover that you are opening yourself up to a whole new level of being.

“In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”
— John Bunyan

I had often wondered as a young adult if there was really any point to praying. Over the years though, I have come to realize that there are many ways to accomplish the real power behind “prayer” (or mediation, focus, affirmations, etc.). And it’s also now clear to me why so many prayers have gone unfulfilled: Too many of us have not done it the right way.

When I was little, I was taught the words to certain prayers and I recited them. But the power of prayer isn’t about the words; it’s about the feeling behind the words. How many of us have been taught to memorize and recite the words, which we so diligently do; but by focusing so much on the prayers we’ve memorized, we have totally forgotten (or they were never explained to us in the first place) the feelings the words are meant to provide.

So I may not still formally pray like I was taught growing up. My intentions however are strongly reinforced with my feelings. When I sit in meditation and visualize something, I add the feelings that are associated with the visions. Feel the power of prayer and you may just notice a big difference in what you are praying for.

“Whatever you are doing, love yourself for doing it. Whatever you are feeling, love yourself for feeling it.”
— Thaddeus Golas

Have you checked in lately with your higher self? It’s always good to take some time to see where you are at with your self-esteem, self-worth, self-confidence every now and then.

Do you owe yourself some praise for some good work accomplished? How about some understanding for a few set-backs? Anything left in the corners hiding that your higher self would like you to notice and bring to the forefront?

One great way to get in touch with your higher self is to meditate. Daily is optimal, but even if you take the opportunity when it comes you way to clear you mind you will be pleased to here the messages that come your way. Another good way to check in is to go with your gut; anything that intuitively bothers you may be an indication that there is some focus needed in that part of your life.

“You know what makes my problems bigger then everyone else’s? They’re mine.”
— Fictional character of the sitcom “Ally McBeal”

Ah, the lure of our story. The drama of our challenges. If only you could have heard the stuff going on in my head at 3 a.m. while I was doing my best to meditate myself to sleep for at least a couple of hours last night.

And it seems, no matter how much I know all the advice and I live my advice, nothing I could consciously and logically tell myself last night seemed to tame the inner voice, my ego running on fear.

Thankfully, I have a very good life coach who today helped me to see that I was just being overly critical of myself and that I simply didn’t let myself recuperate from some very challenging situations these past weeks.

So the moral of “my story” is that everyone will have problems pop up in life. That is what life is about. Remember to be bigger than your problem, deal with it, and allow yourself the time to heal. Then keep going. Move forward. Take over the captain’s chair from your ego that wants to keep you moving slowly and cautiously even in the best of weather.

I think I am ready for a good night’s sleep tonight.

“Conversation is food for the soul.”
— Mexican Proverb

Our whole self needs to be taken care of to keep healthy. In the same way that you need to feed your physical body with healthy foods for nourishment, it is important to feed your mind with positive thoughts, and your soul with personal growth through life challenges.

All three, body, mind, and soul, also need to rest in order to function at their best. The body requires sleep, the mind and soul can both benefit from meditation or mindfulness practices.

It is time to rethink optimal health. It is not just the realm of the body. One must take into consideration the whole self.

And here is your assignment… Read A New Earth, Awakening Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle and then log in to Oprah.com to reserve your seat. It will be a real life changing moment!