One thing I know from experience, carrying a grudge is a places a lot of stress and weight on my shoulders. How about you?

Just one simple thought of past pain and frustration triggers a physiological and psychological response that drags down energy like a lead balloon. This downward spiral affects everything you do and how you treat the people around you. There is one easy way to set yourself free from this draining cycle and move forward in a positive direction. That is forgiveness!

When you make the choice to turn the other cheek, you also choose to grow as a person. By letting go of the anger, frustration, bitterness and discontent that is weighing you down you are choosing to be free. Start today, begin to feel how life can be when you make the conscious choice to release those negative thought patterns and live renewed.

Trust me; there is great comfort in forgiveness!!

• Start by identifying just one of the areas from your past that is holding you back.
• Then, write down everything you believe you are gaining and/or losing by holding on to your resentment.
• Next, and I know this might not be easy, make the choice to release the past. Just let it go! It cannot be changed, but your future can. Make a new future for yourself today!
• Repeat as necessary until you are living a life free of resentment, hatred and anger. This might take time, but it will be worth the effort!
  

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

Success is a tricky thing. If we are to be truly successful we must teach ourselves to show compassion to others and learn to live with kindness.

So, when you are looking to create more happiness in your own life, try showing kindness to another person.  For me, my overall health and sense of well-being are increased as I show kindness and generosity to others.

Studies have shown that showing compassion is vital for our own inner peace, mental awareness and emotional strength. When we choose to be compassionate it will not only remove the obstacles that get in our way but it will open our hearts and increase our overall joy in everything we do.

Compassion will also strengthen our awareness we have with other people, which is obviously a good thing for us and society.

• Choose to make it a daily goal to live with more compassion in your life.
• Develop a widened range of concern and understanding for others.
• Rather than judging others, try a little kindness instead. Believe me, this will change your life!
• Try this on act of kindness. Next time you are at your favorite drive thru, pay for the car behind you. Then, check in with yourself and see how it feels to be kind to a total stranger.

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

It is far too easy to be judgmental. When you choose to simply pay attention to your thoughts you will see how many times you make the choice to be critical, and sometimes even flat out unkind to yourself and others. It is not a pretty sight to see. However by being aware of these comments is always the first step.

What is enjoyable is when you make the choice to voluntarily see the best in yourself and others. One way you can do this by developing the attitude of the three g’s: generosity, gratitude and gratefulness. Using the three g’s will teach you to learn to keep your heart open and draw out the best in all of us.

Today is the first Friday of the month. Try following the example set by KTIS, a radio station in Minneapolis/St. Paul - Minnesota, and do what they call the drive thru difference. When you are out and about today, go thru the drive thru and pay for the car behind you! Trust me, you will make a difference in their lives and your own!

• Make the choice to become aware of your judgmental thoughts
• Then, choose to immediately redirect them to be positive, look for the good!
• Finally, pay attention to how good it feels when you choose love over hate…

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

Technology is a great tool. It provides an amazing freedom and flexibility to our lives. However, technology can also keep us tied down to work 24/7 if we do not make the choice to separate ourselves and be present in our lives.

When we choose to be constantly plugged in, there is a portion of our energy and focus remains attached on the future. This attachment makes it difficult to connect with the people we love. Additionally, the anticipation of what is yet to come minimizes the moment we are in.

This Memorial Day weekend give the gift of being present. Make the choice to experience the fullness of your life. If you can, take time to notice how time slows down when you are in the here and now.

• GOAL #1: Completely unplug for at least 24 hours
• GOAL #2: Pay close attention to what you experience during this time
• GOAL #3: Repeat as often as you can make time
• GOAL #4: Make the time!

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

Looking for an easy way to restore and revitalize your sense of well-being and feel happier? If so, pay a visit to Mother Nature today and soak in her natural energy and a little extra Vitamin D too.

There are a series of studies in the Journal of Environmental Psychology that have shown the positive effects being in nature has on the human perspective. Yes, the mere presence of nature holds one of the keys that connects us to our Creator. And it does not get any easier than this.

By simply being in the presence of nature for as little as 20 minutes in one stretch can and does strengthen our feelings of vitality and health. Nature also leaves us feeling more compassionate and generous. We flourish when we stay connected to the great outdoors.

I woke up today at 7 o’clock after having a horrible night’s sleep. I chose to go for a walk and admire the beauty that has been provided for me. Now, I feel refreshed, relaxed and revitalized! So, in my case, doctor…heal thy self!

Make the time to get out and recharge in nature!

• Make the time to go for a 20 minute walk outside
• Try to listen to the sounds of nature
• Take notice of all of the beauty that surrounds you
• Be thankful for what you have!

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

With the winter holidays in the rearview mirror and summer approaching, we begin to tap into seasonal patterns, emotions and expectations. Many of these are filled with positive emotions that expand our energy. And others leave us feeling depleted and less than energetic.

Either way, by taking the time to create a daily appreciation practice you will provide the added energy we can all use during the new season. Appreciation has a magical way of expanding your energy. It opens your heart and shifts you into a positive mindset. It works instantly and on so many levels we never really take time to value.

Appreciation literally makes your brain work better. By expressing appreciation on a regular basis you will feel even happier, healthier and more satisfied with your life. You will make better make progress toward your goals. You will strengthen your mood, memory and emotional control. And, you will be more naturally helpful to others, which makes the world a much better place to live.

• Start by making appreciation a daily ritual!
• Next, write down just five things you can appreciate every day to anchor them in your brain (writing them down reinforces their strength in your brain).
• Then, take action. Appreciate what life brings to you and show appreciation to those around you.
• Finally, Step back and notice how good it makes you feel!

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

It is far too easy to be judgmental of others. I know, I struggle with this every day. Who cut me off on the highway? Fellows co-workers beliefs about God? Even how I look in the mirror after a shower can be judgmental. However, there is a way out of this trap.

Simply pay attention to your thoughts, all of your thoughts, and you will see how often you are critical (and downright unkind) to yourself and others. It is not pretty to witness, but awareness is always the first step.

It is empowering when you readily see the best in yourself and others. You do this by cultivating an attitude of generosity, gratefulness and appreciation. This is how you learn to keep your heart open and bring out the best in us all.

A local radio station here in the Twin Cities (KTIS 98.5 FM) has this cool thing they do to pay it forward. They call it the drive thru difference. Simply put, next time you are out and about simply how a stranger a random act of generosity. Pay for their meal, buy their gas, give them a grocery gift card, volunteer or shovel a neighbors walk.  Just show them your gratefulness for being here on this planet with you. Generosity is contagious! Plus, notice how good you feel when you pay it forward to someone else.

Here are a few steps to make life just a little more fun and increase your overall happiness:

• Start by being aware of your critical thoughts
• Next, positively redirect those thoughts  immediately
• When possible, pay it forward. Spread contagious generosity!!
• Finally, pay attention to how good it feels to cultivate a kind heart

Did you know that happiness is contagious and positively affects others? This means the positive energy you give off has a multiplication affect and when you surround yourself with happy people you will benefit as well.

Several studies have shown that if you hve a happy friend, your happiness increases by 15%. If your happy friend has a happy friend, it increases an additional 10%. And if your happy friend’s happy friend has a happy friend (even if you don’t know them) your happiness goes up another 10%. That is what I like to call happy math!

Happiness creates an upward spiral that powerfully lifts and expands your energy. Make it a habit to intentionally attract more positive support each day.

• Do something that makes someone’s day
• Spread unconditional joy and acceptance
• Spend time with people who lift you up