"YOUR VISIONS WILL BECOME CLEAR ONLY WHEN YOU CAN LOOK INTO YOUR OWN HEART. WHO LOOKS OUTSIDE, DREAMS; WHO LOOKS INSIDE, AWAKES."

-CARL JUNG

BE GRATEFUL

In the daily hustle and bustle of life, it is so easy to become overwhelmed or stressed about something that has yet to happen or has already pitched its sails and left the shore many moons ago. We tend to forget what we have in this current moment and how grateful we truly are.

Be grateful for a bed to sleep in every night to allow the mind and body to rest. Be grateful for a roof over the head for protection from the elements. Be grateful for the ability to nourish yourself numerous times a day with fresh food.

Now ask yourself-- Who am I grateful to have close to me? What am I grateful for today? When can I begin to practice daily gratitude in my busy routine? Why is expressing gratitude so important on my good and bad days?

BE MINDFUL

Mindfulness is defined as a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

As a daily "to-do list" for work or personal chores keeps piling up, our minds often run frantically along the lines of "Ugh...I have so much to do today..." but what if all you had to do was simply just...BE? Finding peace during moments of high stress and chaos is a simple practice of daily mindfulness.

Easier said than done? Here are a few examples of implementing acts of mindfulness to create tranquility and balance for whatever life may throw at you:

• Mindful Eating: Avoid eating in front of a screen (TV/Phone/Tablet), focus on finishing each bite before taking another, and identify how your food smells/tastes/feels

• Mindful Walking: Focus on softening your breath, identify 3 sounds and objects around you, and make note of the weather outside and how it makes you feel within

BE CURIOUS

After the dust settles from a busy day or maybe just having way too much time on your hands, what do you do with that spare time? Are there any outlets that you have always wanted to "try" but "never had time for them"? Having creative and fun hobbies can help boost your mood as well as give you an overwhelming sense of peace and accomplishment.

Some beginner-friendly hobbies to try include:

• Paint-By-Number Kits

• Cooking and Baking Classes

• Learning a new language

• Hiking/Foraging for local Herbs and Flowers

• Joining a local Sports League

• Photography/Videography

BE SUPPORTIVE

Make a difference in the community with the following mental health resources and highly credible non-profit organizations: