Feeling Good~

If you're stuck in a rut, or feel like you need a boost of energy, here are 5 ways to increase the wonder in your life.

From Oprah's December 2010 LifeClass

*=Ashley's Thoughts

1. SHAKE THINGS UP:

"Awe is a response to things you don't have a mental template for," says psychologist Michelle Shiota. "You have a mental template for getting up in the morning, drinking your coffee, and driving to work, but not for listening to a piece of music you haven't heard before or sightseeing in Thailand."

*Talking to someone you've never talked to before, taking your kids somewhere new, trying a new restaurant...all good things. Sightseeing in Thailand is a bit extreme, but I definitely think that changing routine every now and then is beneficial. Except for nap time...Nap time must be consistent!!

2. GO OUTSIDE:

Nature is the ultimate source of awe. "Just being outside can conjure up feelings of wonder and give you perspective," says psychologist Dacher Keltner. "Or better yet, plan a hike or a camping trip in a spot that's known for its vast spaces or natural beauty."

*Who doesn't feel great after taking a walk or playing outside? Camping?..no. But being outside during the day, yes! Oh, and I was reading in my Parenting Magazine that even when the weather is super, super cold, it's beneficial for your children's health to take them outside for 10 minutes or so.

3. CROWDSOURCE:

Spending time in large groups, whether at rock concerts or political rallies, often stirs feelings of awe. "Ecstatic social experiences have a way of lining everybody up emotionally, and that's very powerful," says Keltner.

*Do I need to remind everyone about my Celine Dion experience? I would say that definitely stirred up some feelings of awe.

4. TURN YOUR GAZE UPWARD:

Whether you're checking out Mars Rover images at NASA.gov or just looking for constellations in the backyard, "if there's anything that illuminates just how much we still don't know about the universe, it's looking up at the nighttime sky," says Shiota.

*Charlie is super in to stars, aka twinkles, these days. The other night was BEAUTIFUL, and we stared at the stars for a while. It feels so great to take a few minutes to enjoy beautiful things we often take for granted.

5. FIND A DAILY DOSE OF INSPIRATION:

Maria Popova, known by her Twitter followers as @Brainpicker, posts a stream of awe-inspiring images on her feed: slow-mo footage of a lightning strike, a sunset seen from space, sculptures carved into a pencil point. "I want people to stop a second and go, 'How amazing is that,'" she says.

*Whether it's a blog/website you read/write daily, a class you take, a series of books that you're reading, or new recipes that you're trying, I think everyone needs a "thing" to keep them motivated. What's yours?

Hope you're feeling inspired to do something great today!!

"One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats."

Iris Murdoch