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!

Are you looking for an answer?  Where will you go and who shall you talk to?  What will provide the solution you seek?  We live in a world that relies heavily on external resources.  Practicing mindfulness teaches us otherwise, to switch gears from automatically looking outside to looking within.

Mindfulness reminds us that everything we seek is already within us.  We don’t have to go anywhere or do anything but be fully present in the moment and listen to our heart and body.  Within every person is a source for wisdom, strength, peace and joy.  Trust your inner source to guide you in what feels right and is true for you at any given moment.

Every morning can be a good morning when you commit to the practice of living mindfully.  Mornings are the perfect time to sit in solitude and reflect on the beauty and peace of the moment.  Before the world awakens and just as dawn breaks, breathe in the serene qualities of this most magical time of day.  Allow your heart to sink into the glow without falling into mental distractions, planning or problem solving the day ahead.  Simply allow yourself to be in the moment just as it is.  Make this a regular habit and you will delightfully discover that being mindful throughout the day becomes as natural as breathing, regardless the amount of chaos surrounding you!

Dignity is our most natural state.  Unfortunately many of us have lost touch with it due to early childhood conditioning.  Expectations to perform, competition, and comparisons eroded our sense of self-worth.  We learned our lessons well in order to survive and avoid rejection, punishment or humiliation.

Loss of dignity is evident in body language.  Our unconscious mind communicates this through slumped shoulders and downcast eyes.  Revive your natural state of dignity by consciously changing your body language.  Stand, sit, and walk in a dignified way.  Straighten your back without being too rigid or stiff; hold your head up proudly and look straight ahead while allowing yourself to really feel the state of natural dignity within.  Make this a regular habit and your mind will gradually synchronize with body to return to your natural state of dignity.

Envision a beautiful mountain.  Perhaps it is one that you have hiked before or admired while on vacation.  See its natural beauty in your minds’ eye and feel its awe-inspiring magnificence.  Mountains reflect strength and stability through time and changing seasons.

Sit in a comfortable position, preferably with legs crossed and your body mirroring a great mountain.  Your head is the crown; your shoulders and arms, the crags and sloping sides; and your legs and buttocks, the strong foundation on which the mountain resides.  Sit in silence embodying the mountain within you.  As thoughts and emotions arise, see them as passing weather systems, never lingering for long.  This is the weather of your life.

Emotional storms and flood of thoughts are normal.  Allow them to be.  Allow them to pass like clouds drifting by.  With heightened awareness of your solid and stable self, you will gradually come to know the deeper silence within that is ever present.  This place of serenity is the awe-inspiring mountain within you.

There are many different paths we can take throughout life.  Knowing which is the right path can be daunting.  When living mindfully, all you need to do is ask the question “Am I on the right path?” and observe what comes up.  Acknowledge any insights and then let it go  Let it be.  Your right path will reveal itself when the time is right. Asking yourself questions repeatedly raises awareness and brings important matters into your consciousness.  Know that your path or anyone else’s, is not something that can be specifically articulated.  It reveals itself one step at a time and speaks to the heart. Listen closely to your hearts’ tugging.  Where do you yearn to be?  Let your heart be your guide, moment, by moment.  Your ‘right path’ can only be determined by you.

Living mindfully means renewing yourself each and every day.  When you embrace change and growth as a natural part of life, you are more likely to stay open in the moment and consciously respond instead of reverting back to old habits that no longer serve you well.

For instance, if you find yourself feeling angry, you may choose to observe the emotion as an energy passing through you instead of allowing it to consume you.  Mindfully choose calmness by focusing on your breath and seeing yourself as ever-changing for the better.

Staying open in the moment makes space for positive change and the very best of you in each rising moment.