“Create a life that feels good on the inside…”

“Create a life that feels good on the inside, not one that just looks good on the outside.”

-Author Unknown

image from positivelyaging.org

image from positivelyaging.org

Many years ago, when Saturday Night Live was in its first years, there was a funny series of skits portrayed by Billy Crystal, titled “Fernando’s Hideaway.” His signature line was “You Look Mah-velous!”

With not a hair out of place, Fernando always says “I would rather look good than feel good, you know?” In our society today, we can observe this “looking good” approach to life success through the material, or status trappings many people pursue.

Alternatively, there has been a very significant journey inward for many people, where greater health, wisdom, and spiritual growth are increasingly valued and pursued.

EXERCISE:

Explore and take one action today that would enhance your mental, emotional, or spiritual worlds. Consider making this exercise a daily habit, and don’t be surprised if this inner work makes you look better on the outside, because you will be wearing considerably more smiles.

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful. Welcome it in every face, in every sky, in every flower.”

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful. Welcome it in every face, in every sky, in every flower.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson, American writer and philosopher

507Image from Flickr by Parvin

We are a couple of weeks into spring and with daylight savings time here in North America, the hours of sunshine and even the temperatures are headed in the right direction. Just this week, I’ve noticed a broader smile on the faces of many of my clients as they walk in the door.

Emerson knew that beauty from virtually any source has a transformative power that can add a special and very noticeable boost to each and every day.

Exercise:

Imagine that the windshield of your car, the lenses of your glasses (if you wear them) and even the lenses of your eyes enhance your ability to see beauty by 100%.

Consider capturing this awareness in a journal, or even in your smartphone by taking a photograph.

Sometime this week, bring a bit more beauty into your physical world, at home or at work, to enjoy the boost it provides.

“Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty –”

“Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty – they merely move it from their faces into their hearts.”

– Martin Buxbaum, American poet, author, and editor

462

Image from Flickr by Mauro Cateb

This quote makes me think about my mother Rose who passed away two years ago. At family gatherings from time to time, we would break out the slide projector or photo albums and reminisce about the past. Of particular note was just how stunningly beautiful my mother was.

In her earlier years, all the young men wanted to date her. Luckily she chose my dad and they had a beautiful 62-year marriage together.

Exercise:

Who are some of the most beautiful people in your life that resonate with the quote above?

Feel free to reply to me and share your own Rose.

“There is nothing that makes its way more directly to the soul than beauty.”

“There is nothing that makes its way more directly to the soul than beauty.”

—Joseph Addison, English writer and politician

449

Image from Flickr by mRio

Beauty has a way of stopping me in my tracks. The past few days here in Michigan have been filled with snow. The beautiful white blanket has literally stopped me from my usual routine of working out at the health club and doing a variety of errands.

Slowing down and taking a few extra moments to embrace this beautiful sight seems to connect me with a deeper experience of being in the world, which I find very important. Unfortunately, many of us, including myself, have to be forced to stop in order to take note of this beauty and the accompanying soulful experience.

Exercise:

Imagine that you are a “beauty detector”, similar to a metal detector. When you come across some beauty, stop and “dig it up” to experience more of the treasures available.

Feel free to reply to this message and let me know what you discover.