Inspiration can come from the most unlikely of places. Many people go looking for inspiration, but many times, just allowing yourself to be in tune with things naturally will provide great inspiration.  It isn’t necessary to have an epiphany one day to become inspired either. It can happen in the smallest ways and from the littlest things. In fact, changing daily habits and committing to positive change can provide a lifetime of inspiration. Commitment is key!

10 Tips for Daily Inspiration

1. Breathe and enjoy your surroundings

Though our lives are crammed with studying, working and dealing with errands and other headaches, taking the time to take a walk, breathe, and do nothing but enjoy the moment will make you a more relaxed and pleasant person, who is open to many different things.

2. Laugh More

Laughter is the best medicine, especially for issues that common prescriptions cannot cure. Taking life less seriously and finding the joy and silliness in each day will inspire your personality and allow more positivity to flow in your life.

3. De-Clutter

Though multitasking can be seen as a strong point, doing too many things at once means that you are not giving your full attention to any of these activities. Keep your mind and space clean. Participate in one activity at once and allow yourself to live in that moment. Also, keep your home and workspace clean. A clean space will clear your head and allow the creative juices to flow.

4. Live with Purpose

Every life needs purpose and every day needs meaning. When you wake up in the morning, decide the purpose of your day’s course. No purpose is too small. If the purpose of your day is to remain positive or smile more, then that is an excellent place to begin with your inspiration.

5. Subscribe to Positive Media

What are you watching and reading daily? Be sure that it’s positive. For instance, listening to the nightly news could be switched with watching a program on GaiamTV. One great way to receive daily inspiration is to stay subscribed to Power of Positivity on Facebook. By becoming a fan and being part of this fast-growing, positive community you will receive daily quotes of inspiration and connect with like-minded people any time.

6. Choose to See the Positive Perspective

To become in tune with your own life and receive personal inspiration, you must learn to tune out the opposite. Worrying about negative wants, needs, and thoughts will muddle your own thoughts of purpose and confuse you. Instead, make a commitment to yourself and your personal goals.

7. Repeat Daily Affirmations

Positive self-affirmations will help with self-confidence and will give you a daily boost of inspiration. You can find excellent positive affirmations and articles describing them simply by searching “Affirmations” at the top right of the screen here. 🙂

8. Stay Creative

For some, this is painting, for others it’s reading, meditation, or writing to name a few. No matter what your preferred outlet, do it daily or as often as you feel inspired.

9. Take Action

Actions that you participate in help define your purpose. Constantly participating in positive actions will help you become a positive person without thinking about it.

10. Be Y-O-U

You will never be happy or inspired by imitating or becoming someone else. Remain true to who you are and give the world the gift of your own personal inspiration and positivity.

Do you have tips to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!

 

Today, we will look together at the half tortoise pose. But, a bit of advice before we begin.

As with any type of exercise, it’s important to hydrate prior to starting a yoga session, and it’s vital to work within our own range of limits and abilities. The half-tortoise pose is a relaxing posture that gifts the spine with an invigorating stretch. I use it like bookends:

• At the onset of a session to assist the warmup process.

• Near the end, to gently help my heart rate return to normal.

“Exercises are like prose, whereas yoga is the poetry of movements.”  – Amit Ray, Yoga and Vipassana: An Integrated Life Style

Here’s How Half Tortoise Pose is Done

1. Sit on a yoga mat — shins on the floor — with your buttocks resting on your heels. Ensure that your heels and buttocks remain in constant contact; keeping your belly taut makes it easier to maintain contact and increases the intensity of the stretch.

2. Inhale deeply, lifting both arms to the sky.

3. Press the palms of your hands together, overlapping your thumbs. Your arms should be straight, biceps touching your ears.

4. Lengthen your spine and hold — feel the stretch.

5. Exhale deeply and slowly bend from the waist until your wrists, forearms, and forehead touch the yoga mat. To intensify the stretch, straighten the arms so that your wrists, elbows, and triceps form an uncurving line and you experience some stress in your shoulder blades.

6. Keep your chin as far away from your chest as possible while maintaining contact between the forehead and yoga mat.

7. Hold this pose for as long as comfortable, continuing to breathe normally.

8. Inhale deeply and return to the starting position with your arms lifted to the sky.

9. Exhale deeply, release your arms, and return to starting position.

The Benefits of Half Tortoise Pose

This pose induces a rush of blood to the head — providing nutrition to the brain — which improves function. Enhanced brain function slows down normal deterioration, decelerating the aging process. Performing the half tortoise pose on a regular basis helps balance serotonin and melatonin levels in the brain — two chemicals that are responsible for controlling the body’s sleep cycle — increasing the likelihood of a good night’s sleep.

In addition to a deep, relaxing stretch of the spine and shoulder muscles, the half tortoise pose helps tone the abdominal area, thighs, and improves the flexibility of the hips. It also massages and stretches the lungs, providing a measure of relief to people who suffer from respiratory disorders.  An excellent pose for the digestive system, the half-tortoise pose can help to diminish ailments such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and associated symptoms: flatulence, constipation, and diarrhea.

One of my favorite asanas, I love how I feel when I mentally affirm, “I blossom into the fullness of my being.”

We all deserve to feel truly happy every single day. The truth is that some of us have difficulty sustaining a good mood throughout the day. Chronic unhappy days become bouts of depression, and some people who need hope turn to medications. What if you could rely on food to boost your mood daily?

Nature itself is the best medicine. – Hippocrates

For centuries we have known that food affects our mood and mental health. Imagine this knowledge being applied and the food you eat being your daily medication to sustain a good mood, increased energy, and vibrant health. Eating clean not only helps you gain more energy, release toxins, and release weight, it also allows for mental well-being. A study found that vitamin deficiency causes a decline in mental health which leads to stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, and other psychological disorders. If mental illness runs in your family, it is even more essential to eat healthy for your own well-being and to existing and future DNA.

Tweaks and additions to your diet can make a big difference. Eat whole foods as often as you can. Reducing processed and refined carbohydrates will also improve your mood because you’ll experience more stable blood sugar levels. You’ll be on the road to health and bliss once you understand what vitamins are essential for a good mood, which types of food have these vitamins and then eat these foods consistently. Below you’ll find essential vitamins and foods that boost your mood.

How to Use Food to Boost your Mood Vitamin Reference

Vitamin D

Researchers discovered that Vitamin D plays a KEY role in mental health and depression because it increases serotonin, one of the neurotransmitters responsible for mood. So, skip the Vitamin D pills and get out in the sunshine as often as possible! Most people will immediately go to a supplement, but studies show that real UV Light is the only way the body can produce Vitamin D that it recognizes.

Our favorite health coach and expert, Tyler Tolman, suggests getting in the sun at least 15 minutes a day and don’t use sunscreen. As an alternative, use organic coconut oil for maximum Vitamin D absorbancy. If you’re worried about getting skin cancer, throw out that negative belief. Tyler Tolman says, “A bad diet, sunscreen, and other chemicals on the skin cause skin cancer – not UV Light. UV Light [the sun and tanning beds] simply bring cancer out through the skin.”

If you’re living in a climate that isn’t always sunny or has harsh winters, Tyler suggests going to the tanning bed. Yep, that’s right. “I recommend any solarium with newer bulbs and a stand-up room so you don’t lay down in chemicals,” says Tyler. He continues, “If it’s a 15-minute session go for 10 and you will feel and look great from doing this 2-3x per week.” Tyler lives in Bali so he doesn’t have to worry about going to a tanning bed. But he said if he were in a city for more than a week with low sunlight he would definitely be looking for a tanning bed.

Antioxidants

A published study by the Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine in 1998 found that Antioxidants can help perk up the mood of people affected by anxiety and stress. The 5 foods with the highest levels of antioxidants are:

• Small Red Bean (dried)
• Wild blueberry
• Red kidney bean (dried)
• Pinto bean
• Blueberry (cultivated)

This helpful article shows 20 common foods with the most antioxidants.

“Health requires healthy food.” – Roger Williams

Protein

Your brain’s chemical activation is dependent on the foods you eat.

Believe it or not, protein plays a significant role in keeping your mood and energy level, in check.  Proper protein levels sustain your energy, keep your mood up, and keep you strong.  Next to water, protein makes up most of your body weight. Protein is excellent for your brain as well.  Your brain’s chemical activation is dependent on the foods you eat.  Your brain cells neurotransmitters are made of amino acids which are the building blocks of protein, so it’s a ‘no-brainer’.  And when you eat protein, it raises the levels of another amino acid called tyrosine that help create the mood-boosting chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine.

B Vitamins

Folate and vitamin B12 seem also to be critical mood-boosting vitamins. Studies have shown that low blood levels of these vitamins are sometimes linked to depression. Some scientists believe that the body uses these vitamins to create serotonin, which as we mentioned, is one of the key neurotransmitters that help boost your mood.

Add rich dark leafy green veggies and beans to get more folic acid. Healthy sources for Vitamin B12 include nutritional yeast and plant-based fortified foods. If you discover you are low in B12, you can get B12 Shots from the doctor or use high-absorbency B12 Patches recommended by Matt Monarch, the founder of Raw Food World. While B12 is also present in meats and cheeses, it can be a very toxic and dangerous way to receive this vitamin.

Selenium

A study   1991 showed that with proper amounts of selenium, there was an increase in mood.  The study also showed that if there was a selenium deficiency, the brain is the last place that selenium levels drop, suggesting that the brain considers it very important.  A great source of selenium is Brazil nuts.  These nuts have very high amounts of selenium (68–91 mcg per nut)

Omega 3’s

More studies are emerging about the importance of Omega 3 Fatty Acids and their prevention of depression. Omega 3’s can boost mood and rebuild critical brain cells in performing cognitive function. In fact, a recent study found that consuming healthy Omega 3 fatty acids dramatically boost your mood and reduces negative, harmful thoughts. Some of the worlds healthiest plant foods in Omega 3’s are #1 ground flaxseeds, then walnuts, organic soybeans, brussels sprouts, cauliflower and winter squash.

The best doctor gives the least medicine. – Benjamin Franklin

A unscientific study at Appleton Central High School in Appleton, Wis., observed that students behaved better when they consumed healthy lunches of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Dozens of studies show that plants are the most nutrient-dense foods on earth. The only problem is that getting people to change their dietary patterns is tough. Change is on the rise, but Kaplan said that the solution might be the supplementation of nutrients because it is integral that people receive less pharmaceutical intervention for mental disorders and more broad-spectrum supplementation.

If you choose to supplement, it’s essential to do so with superior-quality vitamins or a shake supplement containing multiple nutrients and superfoods.

As always, eating specific foods with these vitamins needs to be habitual. Eating healthier for a few days or once in a while will not bring the result you’re seeking. I’ve found that making small changes each week and keeping up with each habit will bring lasting change. We are creatures of habit and feel comfortable doing what we are used to.

Final Thoughts on Eating Good Food to Boost Your Mood

On a personal note, at one time I was very depressed and I learned to use food to boost my mood. So, I wrote this article from the knowledge I have gathered and experience. For most of my life, I had tried everything to release weight and be healthier and happier. At one point, I even tried supplements and medication. When I eliminated processed foods and increased my vitamin intake through plant foods and I experienced my life transformed. I want this for YOU too! 🙂

Please, if you have any questions, feel free to comment. I’m here and happy to help! You can also follow me on social media.

There are about 40 recognized faith based belief systems here on our beautiful little space marble. Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, the all-encompassing spirituality, and more receive their daily devotional by the millions. On the other hand, around a billion people think we’re floating through the void, just waiting for the lights to go out. That’s all OK by me – in fact, I think it’s time to jump into the entire subject head first. (NOTE: I am not preacher, scholar or quantum physicist. I’m just a regular person, trying to BE the positive change I want to see in the world.)

Every following comes fully equipped with their own variation, or “how-to” manual to go by if you’d like to enjoy the fruits of what the religious deity has to offer. Some religions even state that if you don’t follow the rules “by the book”, that you’ll eternally suffer, live in a ball of flames, or be forced to scoop dog leavings every day for the rest of eternity – something like that.

But what if it’s much simpler? Why do we humans try to over complicate things and separate each other?

I feel that there is a “source” for everything. Call that source whatever you like, be it God, Universe, Source, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster if you will, it makes no difference to me.

One way or another, it all started from that one original point and spawned outward to grow into what is “now”. Although what “is” is only a manifestation of “the source”, everything has it’s unique identity while still remaining one with its roots.

I’ve heard, “Oh no, that religion kills people, this is the ONLY way, etc.”… I’ve come to believe that this is not the case. If you don’t believe me, dig into the diverse culture of the world and you’ll see that the similarities between religion FAR outweigh the differences. Many differences are nothing more than the stories themselves.

Furthermore, I’ve heard that a phrase, quote, or scripture is an act of plagiarism; that one came before the other, and that it’s blasphemy to credit anyone else with a teaching because someone else came by and said it first.

Do you feel that an omnipotent, ever loving God would banish you from the fruits of Heaven for purposely/non-purposely infringing on his/her/it’s copyright and spreading the word of love, light, and positivity?

What if there’s no real “right” answer? What if there’s only a simple set of common principles to follow?  If so, are you living those principles in your daily life? That is your spirituality.

Here’s how I see it (please refer to the note above before a mental mountain of malevolence wells up as you read on).

There are a simple set of principles that just about every one following spirituality of any kind has in common:

1. Love yourself

2. Love others

3. Have faith

4. Know that the power of love is infinite

5. Cause no deliberate harm

This seems pretty easy to understand, right? It’s simple, straight-forward, and would fit on less than one page.

Surely I could write hundreds of pages on the topic, but it’s as easy as remembering to practice these principles with every thought, word, action and reaction. You’re really only in control of you; what happens outside of you is merely an experience awaiting your reaction. I’ve seen the most devout of religious folks lose their way in the simplest of situations.

So I ask you, will all the teachings in the world be thrown out the window when they’re needed most, or will you learn to start subconsciously LIVING these practical principles of spirituality with your every moment?

“The earth is what we all have in common.” – Wendell Berry

If I’ve learned ONE thing throughout the course of my spiritual journey so far, it’s that we all have one similarity – we’re human and live on Earth. We must remember that we’re all in this journey together; if we can’t support each other in a positive way to foster the growth of humankind, we’re doing ourselves a disservice; we’re ignoring the necessary glue that holds humanity together.

Think of everyone and their own (non-harmful) belief as just a different color in a crayon box. We’re not all the same, but we are in the same box. And if we don’t stick together how can we possibly fill in a picture with each beautiful color? For example, think of what the world would look like if blue never mixed with yellow, or if red never mixed with blue.

Everyone is on a spiritual journey and should be allowed to travel it – our path in life is both a birthright and necessary for the good of our spirit. If you think we have a “source” or “God”, cool. If you’re just waiting for the lights to go out, hey, that’s fine too, I just hope that this brightens your horizons up a bit.

Final Thoughts

For all I know, my opinion missed the mark by a mile. All I can say is that I’m moving along in this incredible journey of spirituality just as you are, and would love to share conversation with you about it. So, be sure to leave your comments in the conversation below!

Positive affirmations allow you the means of verbalizing a resolute belief in your own worth.

“You have the power to heal your life, and you need to know that. We think so often that we are helpless, but we’re not. We always have the power of our minds…Claim and consciously use your power.” Louise L. Hay

A healthy, positive mind is a healthy body. Your words about yourself and the health of your body every day is very important. Are you talking about how good it is treating you, or the health problems you may have? Studies show that diseases and health problems can first begin in the mind. It may not always be consciously realized, but creation from source begins with a single thought.

The good news is, our thoughts and words can help us get healthy too! You can heal your life through positive affirmations.  If you’re new to positive affirmations, it’s okay. They are very easy. Simply create or choose affirmations that resonate with you and your situation the most. Write them down or type and print them out. Say them to yourself every single day.

Even better, say them all throughout the day. If these seem silly, remind yourself that you’ve been saying affirmations about your life already every day. Positive affirmations simply bring the truth back into your life. The truth that you have the potential to be healthy and well.

Positive Affirmations for Health & Healing

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We’d be honored to help you on your journey. 🙂 We created the video below for you to use as a reference for health and healing affirmations.  If you feel the need, recite these daily – a new manifestation will begin to occur in your life.

We want to hear from you!  Bookmark this post and come back to share your success stories.

Personally, positive affirmations have helped us create and experience a healthy, vibrant life when we were previously affected by multiple health issues that could have drastically shortened our time on this planet.  We know this works and want to spread it into the world as much as possible.  We all deserve to shine.  Shine ON!

Another workweek is on the way, and that means many will be facing the Monday blues. No rule states people can’t come into work with the same positivity you had when leaving on Friday.  Take this information into work with you and watch your workplace transform!

5 Ways To Use Positivity to Have a Great Week

Here are 5 ways positivity can improve your work week ahead:

1. Don’t fret Monday

“This should be the spirit every Monday. Know that something good will always happen.” – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Just because Monday is the first day of the week, it doesn’t have to be the worst day of the week.  Dive into Monday with the same excitement and positive emotion you have on Friday.  Every day can be a Friday if you allow it!  You’ll find that with a more optimistic outlook,  your day will go smoother, be more productive, and you’ll help your colleagues have a better day as well.

Think of every Monday as a fresh start to a week filled with new accomplishments. Banish negative thoughts–like how long it is until next weekend!

2. Find joy in your job

“To be successful, the first thing to do is fall in love with your work.” – Sister Mary Lauretta

It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is if you truly love what you do.

If you honestly aren’t crazy about your current career, try to justify your job by writing down what service or benefit your job brings to society.  If you’re still not sure about why your job benefits the world in a positive way, consider this job a stepping stone toward finding the career you’re truly passionate about.

3. Spread positivity in your workplace

“Keep my word positive. Words become my behaviors. Keep my behaviors positive. Behaviors become my habits. Keep my habits positive. Habits become my values. Keep my values positive. Values become my destiny.” – Mahatma Gandhi

A positive attitude is contagious, and when you spread it in the office, you’re sure to see increased success and overall happiness.  Multiple studies have shown that when colleagues have a positive mindset, they experience less stress, are more productive, and get along more smoothly. Add more positivity to your workplace and allow both you and your colleagues to reap the positive benefits!

4. Take Sunday to relax and rejuvenate

“Do not waste a single Sunday. If you don’t waste Sundays, you will be less likely to waste Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.” –Matthew Kelly

It’s tough to start a week off right if you don’t put an end to the last one.  Many professions require work during the weekend, but when you have a chance to take that weekend break, do it in a way that doesn’t involve work in any way – this is one thing that successful people do on the weekends.

Spend time with the family, go out into nature, practice yoga, meditate, or even enjoy a favorite meal.  The week ahead will see you as a more energized person with less burnout and more turnout!

5. Expect greatness

“Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t, pretend that you do and at some point you will.” ― Venus Williams

It’s important always to expect the best.  You have as much potential as anyone on this planet and have the ability to reach incredible heights.  To BELIEVE in yourself and the power inside you should make you feel proud of who you are; after all, you deserve victory!  Take a few moments at the beginning of your workweek to declare positive affirmations about your efforts’ outcome.  Visualize and focus on the positive and what you are grateful for about your job.  The only future we can foresee is the one we imagine.  Close your eyes and see BIG things – you’ll be amazed at the opportunities that magically appear.

Here are a few positive affirmations to help you spread positivity at work. Recite them DAILY!

• I can accomplish all of my daily tasks.  I am prosperous in time!
• My motivation is continuous. I always reach set goals!
• Each day I am filled with fresh ideas and solutions to accomplish my tasks at hand successfully.
• Today is my day to succeed!
• I’m enthusiastic about my work; it is the foundation for my continuing prosperity.
• I receive fulfillment as I make a positive difference in the world!
• I effortlessly create abundance as I practice my passion!

Do you have a regular practice that helps gear you up for the daily grind?  Please share it with us in the comments below, and get ready to ROCK the workplace in the week ahead!