Energize Your Life – Nourish Your Soul

Wise men and women in every major culture throughout history have found that the secret to happiness is not getting more, but in wanting less. I had the good fortune years ago to study Yoga with
some amazing teachers who have made a life-long impact on my inner and outer life. I have used Yoga and Meditation consistently over the years to slow down, find inner balance and bring simplicity in my day to day life. For me, living simply means to maintain comfort, eliminate complexity and minimize the time demands of life.

Do you feel that life just becomes more and more complicated as the age of information takes over? Do you find yourself over committing and then feeling guilty for not keeping up? Do you feel overwhelmed trying to live the ‘American dream?’ Are you caught up in a mentality of ‘Bigger is Better’ and ‘More is
Better’? Are you struggling to keep up with the pace at which life is happening from day to day?

In this short article, I hope to share with you the five most simple, yet powerful ways that you can begin to energize your life, feel nourished at a deeper level and feel a greater sense of well-being. I have practiced these for many years now to have more energy, get in touch with my creativity and connect to a power larger than myself on a regular basis.

Eliminate clutter: One of the most important steps you can take to bring in new fresh energy and perspective in your life is to eliminate clutter from your home, your car, your office and your life. Clutter in your environment can damage your aura (electro-magnetic field) and disrupt the energy flow in every area of your life. You would be amazed at how liberating it is to get rid of “stuff” that you no longer need or use. Believe it or not, de-cluttering will give you instant lift in your personal energy and a sense
of expansion and spaciousness in your environment.

Spend time each day in nature: Being out in nature is restorative, healing and inspirational. Spend at least few moments each day drawing energy from nature. Plan to leave your house five minutes early in the morning to revel in the surrounding trees, birds, flowers and plants. Or simply do some deep breathing to energize your body and your mind. Find time to connect with the beauty of sun, the sky and the earth. This simple exercise will help you be present in your body and become more alive with life force energy.

Learn to enjoy silence: How can we possibly hear ourselves think when we’re living in this noisy world? As a matter of fact, we are so used to non-stop noise around us, that it’s hard to imagine being without it. The noise of alarm clocks, music, hair dryer, car engines, honking horns, subway trains, lawn mowers – and the list goes on and on. Imagine going one day without TV or a radio in the car; or your iPod while exercising and walking. Try turning off your phone. Let your voice mail pick up all the messages. Try to have few hours of silence during a week. Be bold and have a weekend of solitude. Or have a family meal in silence from time to time. Give yourself a chance to get in touch with the deeper, more serene part of you and discover the balance between your inner and outer life.

Take time to consciously receive: One of the greatest things I have learned from practicing Yoga is the art of receiving. After each yoga posture or a breathing exercise, you are taught to connect to your breath and take time to receive the benefit of the posture to let it integrate with your body and mind. Life has become so hectic and busy for us that we go from one activity to next non-stop. For next 21 days, after each activity, small or big – make a habit to pause and acknowledge the fruits of your action before rushing off to next task. This simple act can help you go within and tap into inner strength and self-assurance to feel alive and well from one day to next.

Have an attitude of gratitude: The law of nature states: the more gratitude you have for others, the more you will have to be grateful for. Gratitude opens your heart, eliminates negative patterns in the subconscious and connects you to the source of your good. Cultivate a habit of taking few minutes at the end of each day to think of at least five things for which you are grateful for that day. Acknowledge the abundance and blessings you already have in your life. Let the genuine feeling of gratitude arise in your heart and allow this dynamic spiritual energy to support you and comfort you before you retire for the day.

I recommend you pick one or two exercises suggested here and do them for at least 21 days. I urge you
to approach this as a personal exploration and a spiritual quest. Let it naturally unfold, fill your heart and
expand your mind. You will begin to unleash new level of energy, greater clarity, and a new sense of
direction in your life.