The dramas of life hurts our soul.  We each need to find a way to walk through life with integrity and kindness, for both ourselves and for others.  We are all interconnected.  When we hurt others, we hurt ourselves.  When we hurt ourselves, we hurt our soul. Healing begins with an open heart and open acceptance of the experience of being human.  Take a moment to reflect on the quality of your energy within.  If peace is not present, perhaps it is time to create positive change.

When difficult emotions take over, it is essential to have a number of healthy coping thoughts to help you regain equilibrium.  Coping thoughts are personal, created by you during times of calm reflection.  Coping thoughts bolster your inner strength to help you bounce back in times of adversity.  Thoughts that release blame and judgement, respect the human experience and offer unconditional love and acceptance are excellent tools for transcending difficult emotions.

Emotions are energy that flow through our body. How long does it take for an emotion to pass through?  According to Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroscientist who had a stroke and recovered fully to write a book about her experiences, it takes only 90 seconds if we do not attach thoughts to the passing energy.

This means grounding yourself and calming your mind by focusing on breath.  Simply observe the energy with a non-judging attitude and open acceptance.  Become aware of what is going on within and consciously choose the role of observer.  The benefits of doing this are immense.  Not only will you gain more control of your life, you will also gain more peace within.

A calm mind is a worthy goal in itself.  If you find yourself caught up in negative energy with racing thoughts and overwhelming emotions, stop and be still.  This is the only moment where change can happen.

Whether you wish to have more peace in life or elevate your karma, bring awareness to the moment.  Mindfully create change by breaking old habits that no longer serve you well.  Focus on being totally present with yourself and finding compassion in your heart.  In doing so, you will discover the negative energy will naturally dissolve away as you become a non-judging observer of the present moment.  Mindfully create equanimity in moments where it matters most.

A.N.T.s are hazardous to your health.  Automatic Negative Thoughts are invasive like unwanted weeds.  Thoughts of “I can’t do this” or “I shouldn’t do that” can monopolize your mind to the degree of limiting your life greatly.  Take action against invasive A.N.T.s by choosing more positive statements that serve you well for the long run.  Nurturing thoughts that honor who you are and offers dignity are good choices.  For example, you might choose to say to yourself, “I want mutually supportive relationships” or “I want to discover my true potential”.  These are highly positive and enriching statements that support long-term physical, mental and spiritual wellness.  You will delightfully discover that positive, enriching statements are much hardier than any army of A.N.T.s or species of invasive weeds!

In the blink of an eye, we may find ourself caught up in emotions.  Emotion affects our energy dramatically.  To stay centred and maintain equilibrium, be aware of sweeping energy shifts.  They can take you on a roller coaster ride of experiences, up to the very top and way down to the bottom, if you allow.

Acknowledge intense emotions as they enter your being.  Express them in healthy ways and release them.  Like catching a fish and letting it go, catch your emotion and then free it to return to the vast ocean of life.

A good thermometer for measuring the quality of your energy is the degree of aliveness you feel within.  Aliveness is the vibrant energy that puts a skip in your step, sparkle in your eyes and excitement in your voice.  It stirs you both physically and emotionally, motivating you to act with natural exuberance.

Quality of energy makes a big difference when it comes to leading a full and fulfilling life.  Ask yourself what brings a natural sense of aliveness for you.  Tap into this source today.  There is no time better than right now!

Energy within rises and falls like ocean tides.  Throughout any 24 hour period, we move through various levels of wakefulness and sleepiness, comfort and discomfort.  Consider the quality of your life energy at this time in your life.  Is this a period of harmony, with a natural ebb and flow?  Do you make good choices for yourself as your personal needs arise?

If not, perhaps self-care needs to be a priority.  With shorter days and cooler temperatures upon us, you may want to treat yourself to a hearty bowl of your favorite soup or stew and allow ample time to savour the meal.  Establish an earlier bedtime that includes some form of meditation, candle light and soothing music before going to bed.  Make self-care a priority and mindfully create the quality of the energy you desire and need at this time in your life.

An active mind can literally run your life.  Where is your mind when you are busily engaged in daily routines?  As you rush up or down a flight of stairs, is your mind in a whirlwind of thoughts?  “I have to do this.”  “I need to get that.”  “I don’t want to miss …”  The active and anxious mind takes us away from living mindfully.

When caught up in ‘doing’, you may forget the importance of ‘being’ in the moment.  Pause the next time you are about to rush to get somewhere or do something.  Whether satisfying hunger pains, retrieving something from another room, or searching for a misplaced item, bring awareness to your entire being.  Focus on your breath and a sense of calmness.  Allow your mind to settle.  Make this a regular habit and very naturally, peace will be a normal part of your daily life.

Do you read magazines and news sources regularly?  If so, have you ever stopped to consider the number of advertisements that are intertwined with each experience?  Recent studies reveal we are exposed to thousands of ads each day.  Fleeting images, catchy tunes and enticing words impact us much more than many of us realize or even admit.

Advertising is a multi-billion dollar industry today, imprinting our minds at deep, subconscious levels.  They influence not only our choices as consumers, but also our values, lifestyle choices, and perceptions of success.  Humans are emotional beings, susceptible to the barrage of input we unwittingly expose ourself to every day.

Take a giant step back, breathe deep, and then move forward mindfully with renewed awareness of the pervasive quality of ads and their subtle influences.  Ask yourself if you want to continually expose yourself to unnecessary influences or if you prefer to live more authentically, following your natural inclinations.  We always have a choice.  Perhaps adopting a new perspective is called for at this time.  Perhaps reducing your exposure to unsolicited advertising is a good first step!