Whenever you are looking for a fast, easy way to recharge your overall state happiness, simply take a walk. Take the time to visit God’s Creation and spend time with Mother Nature. There is a natural energy that accompanies the unique and soothing feeling of the world we live in.
But, can being in nature really make a difference?

There are several studies in the Journal of Environmental Psychology that have explained the positive effects that accompany spending time with nature. Personally, I believe that all Creation was designed to work together. We take the time to keep our world in the best shape that we can while nature itself helps to reset our psyche. So the answer to the question above is this: Yes, with the right attitude, simply being in the presence of nature will help us to connect or re-connect with us to our world. And believe me, it just does not get any easier than taking a walk in a park.

Simply put, when you take the time to spend in nature, even for just 30 minutes, will increase your feelings of energy and overall health. Additionally, spending time in nature will also leave you feeling more feeling and giving. The fact is you will thrive when you choose to stay linked to Mother Nature.

Best of all, Fall brings us a beautiful collage of colors that can excite the senses and make even he manliest of men see the world in a new and fresh way.

Scientific studies have shown that our thoughts, feelings and beliefs lead the way in we choose to see the world. These thoughts, feelings and beliefs play a huge role in the development of both our perceptions as well as our misperceptions. Personalization is a perfect example of this.

When you take the time to pay close attention to how you process the data coming in to you, you will see how fast your thoughts in nearly every experience you have lead straight back to you. You begin to worry about what other people think of you. You work diligently to plan your actions in order to keep the peace. This even gets taken to the point where place an emphasis on doing what you think will make others like you, or love you, more.

This is something we all do. You, me, everyone does it. However, when we choose to take things to personally it can be a very slippery slope.

This might be a where we can take a look at Dr. Daniel Amen’s 18/40/60 Rule. His rule offers us a clear, thoughtful insight into how we view ourselves and others. It states:

"When you’re 18, you worry about what everybody is thinking of you; when you’re 40, you don’t give a darn what anybody thinks of you; when you’re 60, you realize nobody’s been thinking about you at all."

Good or bad, we live in an achievement focused society. A world where success becomes so expected that our accomplishments many times get overlooked. We have been trained to set the bar high and then make sure we hit the mark time and time again.

One thing we have not learned to do as often as we should is to take the time to celebrate our successes, which means we lose out on the opportunity to boost our creativity, ride the energy and build confidence in what we do. While it is very important to recognize our successes most of the time we choose not to do so.

I am not talking about ego overkill, but instead a strong confidence that we generate within ourselves. We do not need to brag for others, but instead we simply need to make sure that we know what we have done is good. So…clear that high bar and then take the time to let your success sink in. After all, you deserve it!

Here is one simple solution. Make the choice to recognize your accomplishments – each and every day.

When you choose to recognize those achievements you will feel more satisfied, strengthen your motivation and build momentum. Take time today to make a difference in your own life.

• Start by capturing your daily achievements
• Make sure to write them down. I strongly believe in having a journal just to follow my accomplishments. When times seem tough, I can go back and look at all the things I have achieved.
• Then, and most importantly, recognize your success and take time to celebrate!

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 true, as life’s daily requirements continue to increase, it is far too easy to put off spending time with the people you need to spend time with, your friends. Face it, you have far more important things to do than just waste time hanging out, or do you?

As studies have shown, spending time with your friends is actually very good for your overall health. When you hang out with friends you tend to be more open with your feelings, which reduces many types of disease and stress relates complications. Additionally, your body will generate more serotonin, which increases feelings of contentment, happiness and your overall feeling of joy in life.

This week, choose to make the time to cultivate your friendships this week. It is time to develop the relationships that give you support on so many levels. Now is the time to feel the love!

• First, schedule a time to hang out with friends this week!
• Then, be sure to check in with your inner circle more often.
• Focus on keeping your relationships alive and well.
• Finally, remember that a good friend is there for his friends too!!

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!

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!