When was the last time you took a time-out?

Aloha! This is Dana writing from the lush island of Oahu.

As I sit here on white sandy beaches, gazing out into the crisp clear waters of the Pacific, soaking in the warm, serene beauty of the island, I am overwhelmed by the unconditional support and love I feel from the people in my life, from my family, and from the solid earth beneath me.

I’m so grateful that as part of my work, I get to take times out like this.

But wait, I realized, I can do this any time. I don’t have to wait till I’m ‘away’ or ‘off’ work to touch paradise, to touch this freedom and contentment.

How often do you rush through your days and weeks going from appointment to appointment, from responsibility to responsibility, not noticing the beautiful world that surrounds you?

Whether you’re enjoying yourself or just plugging away, you might forget to stop and reflect, to be still, to sit in the experience of the now.

No matter what is happening — whether things are going super well, or things may be a bit tough — it is so important to take a “time-out” to appreciate life in its wholeness.

This week I encourage you to stop. Take stock of your life today. Even if you are going through a rough patch — if you look back to where you were before, you’ll probably notice how far you’ve come and how much support and love you truly have in your life.

And once you do, go out and celebrate yourself!

You don’t have to be on vacation or on some tropical island to experience miracles and to touch gratitude in your life now.

Have a great week in your own ‘paradise’!

Stress Release Tip

Look at your schedule this past month. When was the last time you spent time outdoors, just soaking it up and being still? Schedule a time this week to treat yourself to a drink of the outdoors — just you and the earth. Be still. Breathe. Reunite your mind and body with the breath of life.

Mindful Moment

Go outside, barefoot. Dig your heels into the sand, the grass, the dirt, even cement if that’s all you have. Curl your toes and feel the earth beneath you. Take several cleansing breaths. Let the fresh air awaken your senses. Even if you live in the thick confines of a city, go outside and find a small patch of grass or walk through a flower shop. Immerse yourself this week in nature and soak it up as much as you can. Let it infuse life into your cells, and into your soul again.

Quote From Dana

“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as everything is a miracle.”
– Albert Einstein