Summary: Learn about the ways to embrace spirituality in life to deepen the connection with the Self and Divine.

A close look at the world reveals experiences that are unhealthy and unsettling. Due to a widespread disharmony, the human beings often feel disconnected from the self and nature. Several of them constantly look for ways to feel inspired, to embrace the beauty of the universe, and to be able to live moments of humbleness and grounding that are central to the concept of spirituality.

The book, ‘The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown’ defines spirituality as “Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we all are inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion. Practicing spirituality brings a sense of purpose, heightened perspective, and divinity in the life of the people.”

Whether it is spending time in the lap of breathtaking mountains, savoring a weekend of relaxation, or indulging in mindful practices– spirituality is rooted in the understanding that anything and everything is sacred.

Incorporate these six practices into the daily life and live more spiritually. Embrace who you are.

Delve in Meditation: The first step towards welcoming spirituality in life starts with the divine practice of meditation. Try to begin the day with meditation that helps practitioners spend their rest of the time feeling more centered. A few minutes spent in silence brings in many positive changes and experiences like calm mind with greater decisiveness, patience, and most importantly a sense of deeper connection with the inner self.  When individuals feel more connected to the self, they naturally exhibit love and compassion in everything they do. Become a Yoga Teacher in Rishikesh to learn the science of meditation and mantra chanting with refined keenness.

Practice Yoga and Pranayama: Connect to the higher source through yoga and pranayama practices. The act of conscious breathing fosters devoted sensations towards the Supreme and humanity. The performance of yoga asanas represents an inward journey to achieve self-realization and to meet the true self. Additionally, the Pranayama practices increase the sattva in the mind and intellect whereas the dedication to Hatha Yoga Third Series in Rishikesh India creates an ideal body assisting the practitioners on the spiritual path.

Take Spiritual Retreats:For those who feel stuck in the rut of stressful living and wish for a vibrant and authentic lifestyle– going for a spiritual holiday is the ultimate solution. Spiritual vacations in a recharging environment immensely fortify the resilience and grace that it takes to move forward on the path self-inquiry, happiness, connection, and divinity. The Spiritual weekends invite the individuals to indulge in self-care through yoga and meditation raises one’s vibrancy levels. Nurture, soothe, and invigorate in the healing atmosphere with sacred yoga practices.

Adopt Yogic Philosophy in Life: The Yamas and Niyamas of Yoga Philosophy by sage Patanjali in his work of Yoga Sutras is a great way to cultivate spirituality in everyday life. The words of wisdom on Ahimsa (non-stealing), Satya (truthfulness), Santosha (contentment), etc., along with sacred teachings of non-judgment, compassion, and yoga helps people appreciate and honor feelings of love and gratitude towards the Self and others. With the application of Yamas and Niyamas into personal life, move closer to the world of union and inner communication. Become a Yoga Instructor in Rishikesh for learning the Yoga Philosophy from its core.

 Spend Time in Nature: The power of nature to restore human spirit is profound, as human beings are an integral part of the natural surroundings. Ecopsychology is a growing field that explores the relationship between nature and human beings, and studies show that connection to nature can reduce stress, increases feelings of overall wellness, and strengthens spirituality. With this interconnection with nature comes a greater sense of self.

Do Spiritual Reading: Indulge in spiritual readings to complement the daily meditation and yoga practices. Enjoy reading spiritual reads by great authors like Holy Shift! By Robert Holden, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Bhagavad Gita, The Art of Happiness by HH Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler that inspires one to manifest a righteous attitude, to develop a heart of kindness, and to live a meaningful life.

With these practices and some more, one can explore spirituality in everyday life amidst all the mundane activities. Union of body, mind, and soul is the key to feel connected to a greater and divine power.

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Author Bio-Bipin Baloni is a yoga teacher from India. His core specialization is in hatha and asthanga Yoga. He is a registered Yoga teacher who provides 200,300 and 500 hour yoga teacher training in rishikesh, India

By Jill Mattson

The beat pattern of the rain speeds up and calms down until it slackens to a slight drip-drop. The brittle fall leaves create precise rattle-sounds, rustling and shaking like a tambourine. Yet, the spring leaves birth fresh and soft rhythms, as they wave in the beat of the wind.

Invisible currents from animals running, moving insects, wings flapping overhead and even our own footsteps provide our own personal drumming circle. Just as we connect with others by joining a drumming circle and sharing the rhythm, nature joins with us in our own individual drumming circle.

Our rhythms reflect who we are to a larger extent than we ever imagined. Our personality is reflected in our personal rhythms: our gait of walking, how fast or slow we speak and move, and even our characteristic postures with their unconscious communications. In the Caribbean, this signature rhythm is called your tumbao; it is as unique as your finger prints. It is the unique beat that you project!

The environment unconsciously moves us with circadian rhythms of Mother Nature. Her beat-pattern of summer, fall, winter and spring gently guide our moods. Her swing-like movements of more and less sunlight, softly rock us into compliance, as the days march on.

Shooting down from the sky are invisible frequencies, below our hearing range, originating from the movements of the stars in the heavens, combining with magnetic currents from underground magna – deep within the Earth. These multilayered waves combine with the rhythms of our breath, circulation and heart beats. Rhythms in close proximity “entrain” and impact each other. We are a fluid participant in the rhythms of Earth.

We naturally sync with the energies and rhythms around us – without any conscious thought that this has occurred. We submerse ourselves in beat patterns of phone and internet signals. We are in the center of a drumming circle of cars impatiently honking, fire sirens screaming, people yelling and frantic hip hop sounds pulsing out of phones. The brain naturally looks for repeating patterns – as we have evolved in nature and she responds to such patterns of sound. Man’s chaotic drumming without any pattern, tires the brain, producing stress and draining our peace and energy.

We are more connected than we ever imagined to rhythms and beats, many that we are unaware of. Our life pace and our hearts reflect sounds from within our bodies as well as from the environment and the cosmos. This fall, consider immersing yourself in calming sound patterns. Our bodies relax and restore with caresses of nature’s healing drumming circles.

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About the author

Jill Mattson is a prolific Artist, Musician and Author. Jill is widely recognized expert and composer in the field of Sound & Color Healing!  She has also produced nine musical CDs with intriguing, magical tracks using ancient & modern techniques, & special healing frequencies to achieve profound benefits.  Jill is a four – time author. (Crystal Realms CD – Best Sound Healing CD of 2017, Best Overall Music (popular Vote and Industry Leader’s Choice – Gold Awards), The Lost Waves of Time – Best Book of 2016 and Best Alternative Science book of 2016, Deep Wave Body Healing CD– Best Sound Healing CD of 2016, Contacting Angels & Masters CD – Best CD of 2015 and Deep Wave Beauty CD – Best New Age CD – Silver Award).  Jill has participating in many hundreds of teleseminars, radios shows, and magazines! She offers an online Sound (& Color) Healing School. Jill presents new ways of approaching health and everyday issues using the benefits of sound and color! Free music & School of Sound Healing at www.jillswingsoflight.com

By Dr. Al Johnson, author of Balanceology: The 4 M’s of motivation, meaning, measurement, mitigation

Addictive behaviors of all kinds including alcohol, drugs, and a wide range of behaviors are also ways to check-out. For Carl Jung, “every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic be alcohol or morphine or idealism” (1960) Addictive behaviors of any kind are erratic, impetuous, fractious ways to cope with life. Vitriolic high-risk addictive behaviors inadvertently and frequently make for our own predicaments. In devolutionary times we often discover unhealthy counterproductive ways to cope that run the risk of becoming chronic. At some point in time a person decides to take the entry on-ramp and chooses their addiction <—> ultimately it will have to be their choice to exit the off-ramp. That is, at some point in time a person signs-in to their addiction and only they can sign-out. I view addictive behaviors as selfish, self-centered, and obsessive-compulsive. They take the form of persistent and unceasing behaviors like gathering ‘stuff,’  hoarding, dogmatic religion, sex, gambling, endless work (workaholic),  and even social pathology (crime or domestic violence). There are unhealthy addictive eating behaviors like obesity, anorexia, bulimia, and toxic chew & spit. The eating disorders of obesity  and anorexia are at different ends of a continuum. Obesity (to eat away), and anorexia (without appetite) often transition into each other. This flux originates from the sources of insecurity, low self-esteem, and loneliness.

Unhealthy addictive behaviors are the consequences of a raucous, boisterous, disorderly, and directionless worldview and philosophical path of living. A worldview built on a proverbial house-of-cards will not endure. Addicts haphazardly roll-the-dice, and figuratively and in fact run many red lights. They honor few stop-signs or stop-lines. Addicts are uncorralled risk-takers who go through life with slash-and-burn, and hit-and-run behaviors that reverberate throughout their journey and cause an exacerbation and proliferation of trouble in other areas in life. Trouble follows trouble. I am reminded of the lines from Macbetht hat read, “double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble” (Act IV, Scene1). The great thing about great literature for me is the allowance it makes for different interpretations depending on a person’s emotional and psychological maturity. I interpret this double entendre incantation from the witches as a doubling down and a foreshadowing of once trouble starts it is often the beginning of additional toil coming from karmic calamitous happenings. Addicts find their way into trouble; they just can’t find their way out. Addictive behaviors are the trouble coming from our demons through the perversity of obsessive and compulsive subservience to whatever addiction we are shackled to. In one way or another we all have our demons to fight. The dysfunctional behaviors emanating from our demons will continue until: 1.) arrested development from Limbic Brain trauma (rooted hurt) is addressed by confirming (it did take place), and confronting (challenging it). If not addressed this hurt can last a lifetime and metastasizeto other areas of life, and 2.) unmet needs are being experienced and satisfied, and thus the lowering of symptoms starts to take place. I consider all addictions as impediments that stand in the way of meeting our inborn needs.

Our life is filled with constant change, transition, and new experiences. As soon as we feel like we have mastered one area, stage, or experience of life, it is almost inevitable that a new experience will present itself. I used to resist this part of life and still do at times, but now I try to view it as a test, chance for growth, and a rapid way to learn.

When we are presented with new challenges, experiences or stages of life, it can be helpful to view them as chances for growth and a test to remain in a state of faith and joy even though we may have never experienced the new set of circumstances or stage of life. Simply tell yourself:

“This change or new set of circumstances is a test and I am not going to let it steal my joy, ruin my ability to have fun in life, or shake my faith in my Self, God, or Spirit”

Part of the difficulty of new experiences of life or changes are that they are new and we have never faced them before. This can bring up past memories of changes we have gone through where we have failed, thoughts of doubts, and put us in a state of anxiety or being on guard. However, we can ask ourself, do these doubts or anxiety help us enjoy our life more? What is our impact on other people when we resist change and are afraid of other life?

Alternatively, do we find more joy, peace, and beauty in life when we let go of our doubts and anxiety and trust that the Universe is conspiring in our favor and we can handle whatever set of new circumstances we are given. Plus, it doesn’t help to resist change because no matter how old or experienced you are, I believe the Universe will give us a new set of circumstances we have never faced before to test our determination, faith, and ability to stay joyful. What would you rather do:

1. Accept the change, stay in joy and pass the test
2. Resist the change, fill your life with anxiety and not pass the test

Fortunately, if we don’t “pass the test”, then we will always have another set of new circumstances or changes to go through just around the corner to give us more practice.

My friend, Human-Potential pioneer Dr. Jean Houston, has discovered that humans have 5 latent “Quantum Powers” that can allow you to move beyond the limitations you believe you have.

These powers will help you attract more money and support, improve your health, expand your creativity, and increase your skill-building potential.

To share more about her ground-breaking discoveries, Jean is about to hold a free online event:

 ‘The 3 Keys To Unlocking Your Quantum Powers’

Overcome Your Limitations, Accelerate Your Evolution,
and Have a Greater Impact on the World

For over 50 years, Jean has been doing research into what it means to be human, and helping people (including many world leaders) live more impactful and fulfilling lives.

Attend Jean’s online event at no charge and let her help you overcome your limitations so you can step into a life of greater power, connection and fulfillment!

CLICK HERE for more information and to register for the event.

About the Author:

August Turak is the author of Brother John: A Monk, a Pilgrim, and the Purpose of Life (October 21, 2018; Clovercroft Publishing), recipient of the prestigious Templeton Prize.

Turak is an award-winning author, speaker, consultant and contributor for Forbes and the BBC. He is also the founder of the spiritual and educational nonprofit the Self Knowledge Symposium Foundation (SKSF). August retired as a successful entrepreneur and corporate executive. He attributes much of his success to living and working alongside the Trappist monks of Mepkin Abbey since 1996. As a frequent monastic guest, he learned firsthand from the monks as they grew an incredibly successful portfolio of businesses. His book, Business Secrets of the Trappist Monks, was published in 2013 by Columbia Business School Publishing. When he is not praying and working alongside the Trappist monks of Mepkin Abbey, he works with his nonprofit and lives on a seventy-five-acre farm near Raleigh, North Carolina.

For more information, please visit https://augustturak.com and follow him on Twitter.

1. Why did you write Brother John: A Monk, a Pilgrim, and the Purpose of Life?

In 2004 a former student urged me to enter the Power of Purpose Essay Contest sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation. Even though I had never written anything before for publication, I decided to give it a try.  Much to my sheer amazement, my essay, Brother John, edged out 10,000 submissions from 47 countries to win the $100,000 grand prize. This launched my career as a writer. I am now a contributor for Forbes.com and I published Business Secrets of the Trappist Monks from Columbia University Press.

Over the years I continued to get a small but steady stream of letters and email from people who had stumbled onto my essay and been moved by it. In turn I found their gratitude incredibly moving.

Then in the summer of 2017 an executive drove 8 hours to my house just to thank me for writing Brother John.  He told me that Brother John had been instrumental in helping him get over a devastating divorce.  This seemed like yet another hint from God that I had to figure out a way to resurrect my essay from obscurity and get it out to more people where it might do some good.

Since it was too short to be published as a stand-alone book, I hit on the idea of making it into an illustrated book. Then, through a process too convoluted to repeat, I managed to find Glenn Harrington, an award winning artist, to do the illustrations.  Brother John: A Monk, a Pilgrim, and the Purpose of Lifeis the result of our collaboration.

2. Your book is about finding a purposeful life. How can we find purpose if we feel like we are stuck in a job we don’t like or have daily responsibilities that are tiresome?

The action of my story revolves around an incident that many would find almost too trivial to notice.  On a dark, cold and rainy Christmas Eve, Brother John, rather than attend a party decides instead to stand outside under an umbrella.  When I ask him what he is doing he says, “I am here to walk those who forgot their umbrellas back to their rooms.”  Sounds like a pretty tiresome way to spend Christmas doesn’t it?  But I have been able to turn that single tiresome incident into an incredibly meaningful second career as an artist. I have been able to convince many others that in that single tiresome incident lies the secret to a meaningful life for us all.

The secret to seeing the purpose that lies in even the most trivial activity is being able to put things into a larger context.  And the larger context that provides Brother John with more than enough purpose is the ability to put the interests of others ahead of his own.  And we can all follow in his footsteps by learning how to love. As I say in my book, “Brother John loves God so much he doesn’t know what to do with himself. He doesn’t know what to do with himself, so he stands outside of a cold Christmas night waiting. Waiting to offer us some warmth and human comfort on our long journey Home.”

3. You won the Templeton Prize for your Brother John essay which was turned into this illustrated book. Tell us about that. What was it like to find out that you’ve won the contest?

Well, I addressed most of this question above. However, winning was actually quite humorous.  Six months after submitting my essay I got a phone call. Next thing I knew several people, all at once as I recall, were shouting over a speaker phone that I had won the contest. I reacted in utter disbelief.  I was certain I was the victim of a practical joke by some friends. Soon the entire conversation degenerated into a round robin of the people on the phone screaming “Yes!” as I screamed “No!” until they finally convinced me. It was without a doubt the closest thing to being struck by the proverbial bolt from the blue that I have ever experienced. 

4. You have lived and worked alongside the Trappist monks of Mepkin Abbey since 1996. What was a typical day like for you?

Part of the magic of the unchanging Trappist lifestyle is that that every day is typical. We rise at 3:00 AM for the first service of Vigils at 3:20. After Vigils comes meditation only to be interrupted by additional services followed by more contemplation. After breakfast and Mass comes the service of Terce and after that we all head off to work.  I used to work in the egg house packing eggs from the Abby’s chickens, so they could be shipped off to grocery stores.  But since the monks got out of eggs and into mushrooms I am usually tapped for janitorial services like mopping the church or cleaning the monastic offices.  At 12:00 we stop working and go to noonday prayer followed by lunch.  All meals are eaten in silence.  Lunch is the main meal of the day, and as we eat one of the monks reads from a book chosen by the abbot.  After lunch we have another prayer service followed by a short rest period before heading back to work.

A light supper is served at 5:00 followed by the services Vespers at 6:00 and Compline at 7:35.  By 8:00 we are all in bed ready for the alarm to go off once again at 3:00 AM! An interesting point, in reference to a previous question, when I am at Mepkin Abbey I am always assigned work that most people would describe as “mindless,” “trivial,” and “meaningless.”  Yet I consider it a privilege to be allowed to swing a mop all day long.  Working alongside the monks is among the most meaningful work I have ever done.

5. What are some of the things you hope readers take away from your book?

I want people to realize that we are not in this alone. That life does have meaning and purpose, and that every life counts.  Most of all I want them to find the healing power that so many have told me they have experienced from reading Brother John.

6. Where can our readers find more information about your book?

Here is the Brother John book link: https://augustturak.com/product/brother-john

Bio: Hugo is the creator of TrackingHappiness.com, a website about tracking the things that influence your happiness the most, in order to steer your life in the best direction possible. He loves spending time with his girlfriend, running, playing music and looking at nerdy data. Hugo is on a mission to inspire the world to focus on happiness above everything else.

1. Tell me about your Tracking Happiness project. What is it? And, how do you track your happiness?

I believe the absolute purpose in life is happiness. No matter what different things we value in life, we all try to be as happy as we can for as long as possible.

The things we do to make us happy vary per person. Some may find that rich relationships lead to happiness. Others might argue that money provides happiness. Whatever you believe makes you happy, we all share the same goal.

And that is what this project is about.

My biggest goal is to inspire you to find the things that make you the happiest, and to avoid the things that have the biggest negative influence. Finding these so called happiness factors is easy when you start tracking your happiness. I believe that everybody is able to steer their life in the best direction possible when you start to learn from the data you track.

Knowing just how much certain factors influence our happiness is critical, and tracking happiness is what makes that easy for us.

Tracking happiness takes me less than 5 minutes per day, and consists of the following:

1. I track my happiness at the end of every single day on a scale from 1 to 10.
2. I determine the factors that have influence my happiness ratings the most for that day.
3. I keep this up, track my data and learn from it whenever I can.

Based on my data, I have written a number of very in-depth data-driven happiness essaysthat cover my biggest happiness factors.

2. What have you found makes you happy?

My biggest positive happiness at the moment are my relationship, relaxing, family and running.

Spending time with my girlfriend almost always has a positive effect on my happiness. But I do enjoy a lot of other things as well! For example, I like running long distances, playing the occasional videogame and learning to play a new song on the guitar a great lot.

What is interesting is that these things all sound very simple. And that’s because they are. I’ve found that it’s the rather small things in life that can make me the happiest!

Work has been very busy lately, so I especially have come to enjoy spending a relaxing Sunday morning with a cup of coffee and a book. Things like that – no matter how insignificant they might seem – have a huge effect on my happiness.

3. What are some common things you have found that make other people happy?

The friends that I’ve made on Tracking Happiness all resonate in one area: the most common positive happiness factor seems to be social relationships.

Spending time with friends, significant others and family seems to have the biggest positive effect on happiness.

It does for me as well. My happiness is so far one of my biggest positive happiness factors. And I was able to prove it in one of my happiness essays about love.

4. What are some common things that make you and others unhappy?

It’s funny, actually.

My relationship might be (one of) the biggest positive happiness factors in my life, it is also quite a big negative happiness factor from time to time. What this means is that my relationship has caused me to feel miserable quite sometimes as well.

This usually happened while my girlfriend and I were in a long-distance relationship.

I’ve written another happiness essay just about these long-distance periods.

I’ve learned from those periods that it’s best that I just avoid long-distance relationships as much as possible! No matter how well my girlfriend and I prepare for them, they always have a negative effect on our relationship.

Funnily enough, this is also a common negative factor for others. Social relationships can cause a lot of harm as well, especially when arguments evolve into something unhealthy.

5. What is the happiest moment of your life?

According to my happiness tracking data, I was the most happiest when I spent a weekend in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand. This weekend was filled to the brim with amazing activities, like hiking, cliff-diving, rafting, racing karts and drinking beers. It was one of the best moments in my life, and I still remember this memory fondly!

As of right now, this weekend is still the highest rated on my happiness scale. I rated those 2 days with a 9,25 on my happiness scale from 1 to 10.

6. When you are feeling unhappy, what do you do?

It depends a lot on what is causing my unhappiness.

But one thing I always do is that I write about it. I have continued to journal ever since I first started when I was 20 years old. Writing about my struggles really helps me contain each negative thought. It is a great outlet for me and allows me to come to peace with a lot of the negative thoughts that may build up in my head.

7. What is the most important learning experience of your life?

Probably that there are always going to be bad periods. As much as we try to be happy every day, it is simply impossible to have only “sunny days”.

I really appreciate the words of Bob Ross – the painter from TV – he said you need darkness in order to show light.

It may sound cliché, but I believe that to be true. Happiness and unhappiness work together, and good periods are always frequented by bad periods.

I’ve learned this after tracking my happiness for a long time now. As much as I know about my own happiness, I cannot control every factor in my life.

Accepting just that is very important: eternal happiness is non-existent.

Knowing how to go with the flow and roll with the punches is just as – or even more – important.

8. What is the most common mistake you have seen people make when they try to be happy?

What I’ve found is that there is a difference between short-term pleasures and long-term happiness. Usually, the short-term reward is often the most easily accessible. We all know the following example: I want to lose weight, but I would really like a snack right now.

What do you do?

A snack might stimulate your happiness immediately, without having to wait for it. That’s why a lot of people decide to take the easy route. However, long-term happiness is built on a solid mixture between the two.

We need to remind ourselves of what it is that will truly make us happy in the long-term.

Tracking happiness is something that can help with this issue. If we collect the data that shows us just how much a certain thing influences our happiness, it’s much easier to then make the best decisions in our lives.

And that’s what it’s about: to steer your life in the best direction by using the information you collect about yourself.

9. What sort of work do you do and how does that influence your happiness?

I’ve been working as an engineer at a large contractor in the Netherlands for the last 4 years.

My job mostly consists of working on my computer, trying to make sense of an endless amount of spreadsheets.

And I actually enjoy doing just that. It’s something that I’m good at and feel appreciated for. The job also comes with the weekly mandatory meetings, big deadlines and some occasional crunch-mode periods.

These periods usually coincide with big deadlines and it means a lot of overtime. It’s part of the job, and something I can handle, as long as it doesn’t happen too often and structurally. I also get sent abroad a couple of times per year, which is pretty exciting stuff for me!

My work is something that I’ve analyzed in a lot of detail as well. I’ve analyzed my entire career up until now, which consists of 1,382 days. The result of this happiness essay is that I tolerate my job quite well.

I’ve come to this conclusion by comparing my happiness on my non-work days to my work days. Over all the days, my average happiness rating is just 0.07 lower on work days compared to non-working days. This is not a lot, in my opinion.

Given the fact that I’m paid well for what I do, I feel like this is a very good deal! In fact, I am even growing to like my job as I’m getting more experience, so that negative effect on my happiness is shrinking as the days go by.

I don’t feel like I have a reason to complain!

Results of my happiness essay on my career

10. What would you say to someone who doesn’t like their work and it makes them unhappy, but can’t change jobs because of financial or family obligations?

This is a really good and tough question! Maybe the only right answer is to follow your heart. But in order to do that, I would still suggest that person to consider every option.

It may sound corny, but I’d really advice that person to start tracking happiness. Or at least to start writing a journal about the job.

If you can pinpoint exactly what it is that causes your unhappiness, then you might be better able to deal with that. Do you have a terrible boss? Does your workload wear you down? Do you simply not like your job?

But perhaps more importantly, are there some aspects you still like about your job? And what are the likely consequences of you quitting your job?

If you can answer these questions for yourself, and also anticipate how your happiness will be affected by it, then you’ll at least be able to base your decision on the best knowledge possible.

In the end, I think it will still come down to what your heart wants. But it’s good to still make this decision with the right information available.

11. Anything else we haven’t covered you think is important or interesting to know about?

What I find most interesting is that everybody is unique. What drives my happiness will not necessarily move yours. It’s what makes interacting with others such a great experience.

That doesn’t mean we can’t learn from each other though. The factors that influence my happiness may not necessarily mean much to you, but perhaps they will inspire you to focus more on the factors that actually do have an influence.

I want you to focus on the things that have the biggest positive influence on your happiness. If you ever want inspiration or help on how to start focusing on your happiness, you can read more about it over at Tracking Happiness  .

Published by Tim Case a writer at  Place-4-Papers.com

Description:We have collected for you the most useful and straightforward psychological tips and tricks on how to manage your study and life. Read this short article about five psychological categories and their approaches to both study and life that will help you to become a better person and will make your life easier.

Learning Process: Psychological Tips

There are a lot of different online and offline courses, meeting, and marathons that promise to make our study easier. However, few of them have an empirical research background. Therefore, a team of professional psychologists has collected top psychological tips and tricks on how to make a learning process much easier and pleasant. It is known that psychological health is as important as physical and emotional are. Our tips are divided into five categories:  learning and cognition, motivation, emotional and social dimensions, context and learning, and assessment.

We pay attention to these five items because they make a core of each educational system at schools and universities. Go on reading, and you will find out how to manage your learning process, improve your mental and physical health, and reach your goals by becoming an outstanding student with good learning skills.

Learning and cognition

The most widespread and challenging issue is how to improve student’s learning and thinking at lessons and at home. We can often see intelligent students who cannot manage their thoughts and learning process due to the personal psychological peculiarities. That is why the first points in this list aim to present some of the most effective and straightforward ways of how different teaching practices may help every student to become better and improve his\her skills.

1. Explore your brain peculiarities

Researchers claim that students, who are well familiar with how the brain processes run, better understand the meaning of being successful. The main point here is to show students that a lot of world-famous people make mistakes, but still go on to improve their knowledge. That is why it is not terrible if you make some mistakes in your test or paper. Just remember that making mistakes is a part of your study process. Do not be afraid of this.

2. Previous knowledge, context, and feedback.

The effect of each course depends on whether a student has enough prior experience to learn something new. It is proved that if you are familiar with the topic a little bit deeper, you will get much more from this course than the student who does not have even an idea about this course. That is why even if you learn something new, try to use your prior knowledge and put in the context to make an entire picture of information. Of course, it is highly important to use this knowledge, in other words, to practice it. Thus, it will be easier to understand and memorize it. This point is for students as well as for teachers\professors. The latter should examine students’ knowledge background and explain new material to students using their prior knowledge. Also, we highly encourage all teachers to give their students clear and timely feedback. It will make the learning process much more efficient.

3. No limits

Scientists argue that there is no strict correlation between the stage of development and cognitive\learning skills. It means, for instance, that mixing first-year students and sophomores may have a positive impact on the learning process for both groups.

4. Self-regulation and creativity

These two items are opposites, but both of them are crucial to the learning process. You cannot live without self-regulation that includes knowledge of how to manage your attention, emotions, critical thinking, self-estimation, etc. It means you should be well-organized. At the same time, it is highly crucial to be creative. Nowadays, it is not enough to be well-organized to become successful in whatever: business, life, study, etc. Furthermore, creativity will help you to remember and to process information in your own way, which increases the level of efficiency. Thus, well-organizing and creativity are two items, which will make you a strong player in the game called life.

Motivations

Nothing is possible if you are not motivated. There are different types of motivations.

1. Internal and external motivation

Each teacher\professor motivates their students to become better through learning something exciting and new. However, external motivation will not bring any results without interior student’s desire to study. Thus, it is also essential to set up your inner motivation.

2. Goals setting

Many students face plenty of difficulties setting their goals. Sometimes they are too young and sometimes they have no idea about what their goals are. Therefore, it is incredibly significant to explain to students two types of goals: short- and long-term ones. Usually, students have a lot of troubles with long-term goals, whereas it is much easier to set short-term goals. Most of these short-term goals are set up through lessons, professors’ feedback, expectations, etc. Therefore, proper setting and following your short-term aims will lead you to your desirable long-term goal. Thus, you will always be motivated and will have clear understanding of what is going on in your life.

Emotional and social dimensions

It is obvious that your study success depends on such things as a society, family relationship, and emotional and material well-being.

1. Society

The impact of the environment where you are growing up is huge. Most of your principles are formed in your childhood. Then, you will have a chance to change or improve them, but only if you leave this society.

2. Family relationship

It is hard to concentrate on something if your life is full of quarrels and disagreements. The support of the closest people is incredibly crucial does not how old you are.

3. Well-being

Emotional and material stability are the best for successful personal development. The lack of one of them will lead to undesirable results.

Context and learning

The quality of our learning process depends a lot on our classroom learning. Remember, that if you are a professor\teacher, you should be sure that there is a friendly and comfortable atmosphere in your class. You should assist students and support them timely. It will help them to be self-confident and respect others.

Assessment

The question of assessment is always a difficult question. We highly encourage you to follow these tips to be a fair teacher\professor.

1. Use formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments allow you to estimate the student’s efforts and encourage doing more. Summative assessments give you a chance to demonstrate the student’s learning tendency, compare, and analyze it.
2. Ensure that your assessments are accurate. It is easier to be sure of assessment accuracy with multiple-choice tests, and much harder to estimate individual papers, etc. Thus, do not be too strict with your assessments. Even if you do not have an excellent summative result, try to interpret it softly and encourage the student to think about its reasons.

Good luck!

Jeff Brown is the author of Soulshaping: A Journey of Self-Creation, the inspiring memoir of an archetypal “male warrior” – a trial lawyer- who struggled to find his heart and a more authentic, soulful path. Rivetingly personal and profoundly universal, this book is for anyone who has heard a whisper of something truer calling out to them amid the distractions of modern life.

In our interview, Jeff shares how he was able to follow his calling to write in spite of facing intense economic, spiritual and personal obstacles. He also gives advice on how you can follow your calling even if you have practical concerns such as not being able to make enough money. Throughout our conversation, Jeff reveals some of the lessons he learned along the way and goes into great detail about the inner work he did throughout his journey. You can listen to our interview on iTunes by visiting:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/interview-jeff-brown-author/id308845604?i=63619525

For more information on Soulshaping and Jeff Brown, you can visit http://www.soulshaping.com/ or press the play button below to listen to our interview.

Dr. Eben Alexander III, MD is a neurosurgeon who formerly served on the faculty at Harvard Medical School from 1988-2001. In November 2008, Dr. Alexander had a profound life-changing near-death experience. He wrote about it in the number one bestseller ‘Proof of Heaven’. Dr. Raymond Moody is the leading authority on the “near-death experience” – a phrase he coined in the late seventies. The New York Times calls him “the father of the near-death experience.” In a new groundbreaking film made by David Hinshaw, Conversations with Raymond Moody and Eben Alexander, Dr. Moody and Dr. Alexander discuss Dr. Alexander’s beyond death experience and the issues surrounding the near death experience. For example, Dr. Alexander candidly talks about his experience of being clinically dead for a week which is unlike any other near death experience ever detailed. After hearing about Dr. Alexander’s near death experience, Raymond Moody said:

“Dr. Eben Alexander’s near death experience is the most astounding I have heard in more than four decades of studying this phenomenon…one of the crown jewels of all near death experiences…Dr. Alexander is living proof of an afterlife.”

Throughout the film, their conversation advances the discussion to a whole new level questioning the scientific and spiritual methodology, offering new insights into the ultimate human questions. Their discussion goes beyond the normal emotional, subjective, discussion to consider science, quantum physics, the question of the soul and the possibility of the eventual combination of science and spirituality as partners rather than adversaries. Some of the highlights of the film are:

– That consciousness does not depend on the brain but, is much richer when it is freed from the brain
– Dr. Alexander’s concept of a Soul School and why we are here
– What is the greatest lesson of all NDEs?
– Dr. Alexander reveals the identity of the mysterious angel who was his guide while he was having his beyond death experience

As you watch the film, you can see the passion, joy and openheartedness in Dr. Alexander’s face (a former agnostic neurosurgeon) as he talks about what it was like to have a near death experience that, he, a medical doctor, could not explain via science. His account sparks Dr. Moody to respond with delight and compassion.

This movie shows firsthand how a near death experience can truly be transformative. It also restores our faith in the possibility that their truly is life after death and that the Divine has a plan for all of us.

For more information about the film, you can visit www.Raymondmoody.org.

Sigmund Freud called dreams the “royal road to the unconscious,” but to bestselling author and world-renowned dream explorer Robert Moss, they are more: portals to the imaginal realm, a higher reality that exists at the intersection of time and eternity. The traveler’s tales in this book are just-so stories in the sense that they spring from direct experience in the many worlds. As you journey from the temple of the Great Goddess at Ephesus to an amazing chance encounter on an airplane, from Dracula country in Transylvania to the astral realm of Luna, you’ll confirm that the doors to the otherworld open from wherever you are. You’ll see what it means to live on a mythic edge and to make a deal with your personal Death for a life extension. At any moment, you may fall, like the author, into the lap of a goddess or the jaws of an archetype.

We hope you enjoy this interview with the author about his new book Mysterious Realities: A Dream Traveler’s Tales from the Imaginal Realm.

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What is “dream travel”? How do we become dream travelers?

In ancient and indigenous understanding, dreaming is traveling. In big dreams, we make visits and receive visitations. We travel across time and space, and to places where the dead are alive, as well as visiting alternate realities. Once we connect with our dreams and wake up to what is going on, we can begin to develop the practice of lucid dream travel.

An ideal departure lounge is the half-dream state of what sleep researchers call hypnagogia. In the middle of the night, or the early morning, you find yourself drifting between sleep and awake. If you can train yourself to maintain a state of relaxed attention in this in-between state, you will notice that you may be receiving a whole menu of possibilities for lucid dream travel.

This twilight state is a good place to become aware of your ability to travel beyond the body. I often find myself lifting out of the body quite effortlessly in this state. Sometimes when I am very tired, I simply rest half in and half out of my physical form. Sometimes I float up to the ceiling. Quite often I like to go flying like a bird to places far away.

This is one of the royal roads to lucid dreaming. The other is a practice I call “dream reentry,” which is when a dream has some energy and you choose to consciously go back into the dream to continue it. You may want to reenter a dream to clarify what was going on, or talk to your deceased grandmother, or explore a parallel world, or scout out a possible future. You may need to reenter a dream because there are terrors to be overcome, or a mystery to be explored, or simply because you were having fun and adventure and would like to have more.

There is a story in your new book called “Dreamtakers” and it paints a terrifying picture of what it means to lose our dreams. What can we do to recover our dream life?

In contemporary society, “dream drought” is a widespread affliction — almost a pandemic. This can be deadly serious, because night dreams are an essential corrective to the delusions of the day. They hold up a mirror to our everyday actions and attitudes and put us in touch with deeper sources of knowing than the everyday mind. If we lose our dreams, we can lose our inner compass. If our dreams have disappeared, it may be because we have lost the part of us that is the dreamer.

Traditional Iroquois say bluntly that if we have lost our dreams, it is because we have lost a vital part of our soul. This may have happened early in life through what shamans call “soul loss,” when our magical child went away because the world seemed too cold and cruel. Helping the dream-bereft to recover their dreams may amount to bringing lost souls back to the lives and bodies where they belong. In “Dreamtakers,” I describe a shamanic journey to help return dream souls to people who have lost them. This is something I personally teach and practice.

There are several ways we can break a dream drought, and we can do it any night we want to. Set a juicy intention for the night and be ready to record whatever shows up upon awakening. Even if it is just a dream fragment — be kind to it. The wispiest trace of a dream can be exciting to play with, and as you play with it you may find you are pulling back more of the previously forgotten dream.

If you don’t remember a dream when you first wake up, laze in bed for a few minutes and see if something comes back. Wiggle around in the bed. Sometimes returning to the body posture we were in earlier in the night helps to bring back what we were dreaming when our bodies were arranged that way.

If you still don’t have a dream, write something down anyway — whatever is in your awareness, including feelings and physical sensations. You are catching the residue of a dream even if the dream itself is gone. As you do this, you are saying to the source of your dreams: “I’m listening. Talk to me.”

You may find that though your dreams have flown, you have a sense of clarity and direction that is the legacy of the night. We solve problems in our sleep even when we don’t remember the problem-solving process that went on in our dreaming minds.

And remember that you don’t need to go to sleep in order to dream. The incidents of everyday life will speak to us like dream symbols if we are willing to pay attention. Keep a lookout for the first unusual or striking thing that enters your field of perception in the course of the day and ask whether there could be a message there. When we make it a game to pay attention to coincidences and symbolic pop-ups in everyday life, we oil the dream gates so they let more through from the night.

You invented the word “kairomancer” to describe someone who is poised to recognize and act in special moments of synchronicity. How does one become a kairomancer?

Synchronicity is when the universe gets personal. Traditionally defined, it is “the simultaneous occurrence of events that appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection.” Though the concept was created by Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung, the phenomenon has been recognized, and highly valued, from the most ancient times. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus maintained that the deepest order in our experienced universe is the effect of “a child playing with game pieces” in another reality — as the game pieces fall, we notice the reverberations in our own reality.

When we pay attention, we find that we are given signs by the world around us every day. Like a street sign, a synchronistic event may seem to say “Stop” or “Go” or “Dead End” or “Fast Lane.” Beyond these signs, we find ourselves moving in a field of symbolic resonance which not only reflects back our inner themes and preoccupations, but provides confirmation and/or course corrections. A symbol is more than a sign: it brings together what we know with what we do not yet know.

Through the weaving of synchronicity, we awaken to a hidden order of events — to the understory of our world and our lives. You do not need to travel far to encounter powers of the deeper world or hear oracles speak. You are at the center of the multidimensional universe, right now. The extraordinary lies in plain sight — in the midst of the ordinary — if only you pay attention. The doors to the Otherworld open from wherever you are, and the traffic moves both ways.

I invented the word kairomancer to describe someone who is ready to recognize and act in special moments of synchronicity when time works differently and opportunity strikes. It incorporates the name of Kairos, a Greek god who personifies a kind of time that is altogether different from the tedious linear concept of time. It is that special moment of “jump time” when more is possible than you ever imagined before.

To become a kairomancer, you need to check your attitude as you walk the roads of this world, because your attitude goes ahead of you, generating events around the next corner. You need to take dreams more literally and the events of waking life more symbolically. You need to take care of your poetic health. Expect the unexpected, make friends with surprises, and never miss that special moment when the universe gives you an invisible wink or handshake.

Many of the stories in your book involve awakening to the possibility that we are living parallel lives in parallel worlds. How can we explore our own parallel worlds?

In physics, the hypothesis of the “Many Interactive Worlds” suggests that we live right now, in one of countless parallel universes that impact each other. Part of the secret logic of our lives may be that our paths constantly interweave with those of numberless parallel selves. The gifts and failings of these alternate selves may influence us in ways that we generally fail to recognize.

We are connected to our parallel selves in a multidimensional drama and this may generate events in all our parallel lives that may appear as “chance” to those who do not understand the trans-temporal patterns. The hidden hand suggested by synchronistic events may be that of another personality within our multidimensional family, reaching out to us from what we normally perceive as “past” or “future,” or from a parallel or other dimension.

When we experience déjà vu and feel certain that we have been in a certain situation before, this may mean that we are close on the heels of a parallel self. Serial dreams, in which we find ourselves returning to the same people and places may also be glimpses of a continuous life of a parallel self in a parallel world, in which different choices were made. Physicist Brian Greene speculates that we all have “endless doppelgangers” leading parallel lives in parallel universes.

Once you have mastered serial dreaming, you may be ready to journey as a lucid dream traveler into a parallel life to dismiss old regrets and claim gifts and knowledge from your selves who made different choices. This can effect a quantum shift in your present reality and life story.

The stories in Mysterious Realities are full of encounters with the dead, both interacting with the deceased and visits to places where the dead are living on the Other Side. Is contact with the deceased really as natural and easy as you suggest?

I am often among the dead in my dreams. Sometimes I remember that they are dead, and other times I don’t. My father has come many times since his death with helpful advisories for me and our family. Sometimes my dream travels take me to new environments on the Other Side where the dead are enjoying new lives. They show me around and I learn first-hand about this new lifestyle and the real estate options available after death.

Contact with the deceased, especially in dreams, isn’t weird or unusual or even truly supernatural. It happens for three reasons: the dead have never “left” and are still with us; the dead want to visit us from wherever they are; or we travel to the realms of the dead where they are now living.

The immense body of scientific research and data on near-death experiences (NDEs) is evidence of the survival of consciousness after the physical body has closed down. When you become a conscious dream traveler, you confirm through your own experience that awareness is not confined to the body and brain, and therefore is able to survive death. You are ready to learn that healing and forgiveness are always available across the apparent barrier of death, and to develop your personal geography of the afterlife.

One of the most interesting things I have learned is that the living may be called upon to play guides and counselors for the dead. “The Silent Lovers” is a just-so story about interacting with the dead in my book. It was quite shocking to me as it unfolded — I was called to play advocate for a dead man, who was otherwise a stranger. Irish poet William Butler Yeats was right when he said with poetic clarity that the living have the ability to “assist the imaginations of the dead.”

Your book’s subtitle is “Tales from the Imaginal Realm.” What is the “Imaginal Realm?”

There is a world between time and eternity with structures created by thought that outlast anything on Earth. This is the “Imaginal Realm.” You may enter it through the gate of dreams, or the gate of death, or on the nights when you drop your body like a bathrobe. Here you will find schools, palaces, places of adventure, healing, and initiation.

The Imaginal Realm is a fundamental ground of knowledge and experience. In this realm human imagination meets intelligences from higher realities, and they co-construct places of healing, instruction and initiation. Here ideas and powers beyond the grasp of the ordinary human mind – call them archetypes, tutelary spirits, gods or daimons– take on guises humans can begin to perceive and understand.

The great medieval Sufi philosopher Suhrawardi insisted both on the objective reality of the Imaginal Realm and that the way to grasp it is the way of experience: “pilgrims of the spirit succeed in contemplating this world and they find there every object of their desire.” To know the realm of true imagination, you must go there yourself. Happily for us all – once we wake up to what is going on — the doors can open in dreams, as well as in the fertile place between sleep and awake, or even in a special moment of synchronicity when the universe gets personal.

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Robert Moss is the author of Mysterious Realities and numerous other books about dreaming, shamanism, and imagination. He is a novelist, poet, and independent scholar, and the creator of Active Dreaming, an original synthesis of dreamwork and shamanism. He leads creative and shamanic adventures all over the world. Visit him online at www.mossdreams.com.

Thank you to Pathfinders Recovery Center for this helpful infographic on the opioid crisis.

Ann E. Grant, JD, began her career as a corporate litigator specializing in unfair business practices and consumer fraud. After her own divorce she created her own firm, focusing on family law and a holistic approach to this life transition. She lives in Manhattan Beach, CA and her website is www.TheDivorceHacker.com. Below is a Q&A with her about her new book!

Can a woman in an unhappy marriage create a new and better life on her own?

Recently, a new study was published debunking decades of studies that married people are happier and healthier than their single counterparts. To the contrary, the study revealed that marriage does not mean better health, higher self-esteem, or long-term happiness. Every single finding favored single women. For example, the women who divorced ate healthier, exercised more, and had smaller waists than the women who stayed married—and single women are having more sex than their married counterparts! It is a powerful blow against the notion that marriage is the ideal way to live. 45 percent of all Americans aged 18 or older are single or divorced. In unprecedented numbers, women are living their single lives, which are often healthier and more fulfilling than those of their coupled counterparts. The weight of the scientific evidence is finally on their side.

How will the new tax law impact a woman going through divorce? 

The new tax law that will go into effect in 2019 will have significant ramifications for divorcing women. Under the current law, spousal support/alimony is deductible by the payor spouse (the breadwinner/often the man) and taxable to the recipient spouse (often the woman). This will change in 2019. Spousal support will no longer be deductible or taxed. It’s somewhat counterintuitive, but the thinking is that this will hurt the recipient of spousal support because the payor will be inclined to pay less spousal support if it isn’t deductible.

Are there steps women should take BEFORE filing for divorce?

If your marriage is in trouble, there are some key steps to take to protect yourself before you file for divorce.

1. Open a bank account in your name. Open this account at a different bank from the one where you and your husband share a joint account.
2. Set aside money for living expenses and in case you need to hire an attorney. Did you know that you can take half the money out of your joint account and put it in a separate account in your own name if you live in one of the nine community property states like California? You may not want to take out half the money all at once because it will alert your spouse and may cause checks to bounce; begin taking out smaller amounts now and put them in your new account so that you can hire an attorney if necessary and cover your living costs for several months.
3. Secure your assets. It is much easier to return items you have removed in order to protect them than it is to locate items someone else has spirited away. I’ve seen valuable wine collections disappear, coin collections go missing, and money evaporate. Take steps now to protect what is yours. (continued)
4. Check your credit score. You need to build your own credit. There are few numbers in life that matter as much to your financial outlook and well-being as your credit score (known as the FICO score). It is important for you to know what your credit score is and work to improve it if it’s not in the “good” range.
5. Open two credit cards in your own name. You need to be the primary cardholder on at least two credit cards, if possible. You can have a wallet full of credit cards, but if your husband is the primary cardholder and you are the secondary, he can cancel those cards without your permission.
6. Gather and copy documentation for all assets, bank accounts, investments and retirement plans, even if they are in your spouse’s name. Copy anything with a dollar sign attached to it.

Is it true that the divorce rate is going down?

The divorce rate in the U.S. for people 50 or older has doubled since 1990, according to a study by the National Center for Family and Marriage. As the American population steadily ages, gray divorces will keep rising:  By 2030, it is estimated that 800,000 will occur annually.

Has the use of social media led to more divorces?

Recent studies reveal that, not surprisingly, Facebook and Twitter users have a higher rate of infidelity and divorce. There are 40 million sexually explicit websites, chat rooms, bulletin boards, and interactive games available on the internet. An estimated 20 to 33 percent of internet users go online for sexual purposes; most are male, about thirty-five years old, married with children, and well-educated. Online sexual behavior is proving to be highly addictive to some users, and serious relationship problems are reported in almost all marriages in which one partner is cybersex addicted. As many as 17 percent of internet users become addicted to online sexual activity. This is a very real issue that is landing more and more people in my office.

Is the institution of marriage doomed to fail? 

The historical institution of marriage was created hundreds of years ago to preserve wealth and create family alliances. It was NOT created to formalize a couples’ love and commitment. To the contrary, in early marriages, the husband almost always had concubines for the purpose of “pleasure” and the wife’s purpose was to procreate. Only in the last 100 years was marriage utilized to memorialize a couples’ love and commitment to one another. It is not surprising then that many marriages fail, since the institution was originally created for an entirely different purpose.

Do children fare better if their parents stay in a bad marriage, or is it better for children to be raised in a stable single-parent home?

Divorce has long been vilified by psychological experts who in the 1970s touted the idea that children did better in an unhappy home than a broken one. For the next two decades, this view on the devastating, long-term impact of divorce on children shaped the national dialogue. Since then, studies have shown that combative relationships, as well as cold and contemptuous ones, are oftentimes more harmful to children than break-ups. The key concept is stability. My book provides action items to create a stable single-family home.

If you are in marriage therapy trying to work things out, how do you know when it’s time to say “enough?” What steps can you take to protect yourself? (continued)

Many women think they can change their spouse, or that a marital counselor, therapist or religious advisor will bring him around and get him to cease his extra-marital activities. Having been taught to be patient and “carry on,” women often wait for their husbands to come around. But there is a very real and present danger to waiting. I have seen many cases where women are in marriage therapy with their husbands for years, while their husbands, pretending to have an intention to mend things, are secretly carrying on an affair and hiding assets. Women need to understand the signs to look out for and take proactive steps to protect themselves. I provide concrete guidance in the book about specific steps to take to avoid this trap.

What have celebrity divorces taught us about untying the knot?

A multi-billion-dollar industry has been built around not just celebrities, but “regular” people who are going through divorce. In Divorce Hacker, I blow open the divorce industry and reveal the insider secrets the divorce professionals don’t want you to know. I give specific advice about how to deal with lawyers, mediators and the professionals who claim to serve those going through divorce, but are often interested primarily in lining their pockets at their clients’ expense.

Why do you suggest unemployed women get a job prior to filing for divorce?

Even in long-term marriages, the idea of permanent spousal support is misleading. In this day and age, unless you are disabled or retirement age, judges expect spouses to contribute to their own support. Failing to become gainfully employed, if you are able to do so, can backfire. A judge can impute your “earning capacity,” even if you choose not to work. In other words, if you are capable of earning $50,000 per year, but you choose not to, the judge can include that unearned income in the support calculation as though you were earning it. So, if you are able, it’s better to become gainfully employed, then to assume that your spouse will be ordered to pay you support sufficient to maintain you at the marital standard of living for the rest of your life.

Why is the book organized around months during the divorce instead of subject areas?

The book takes a chronological approach to working through the legal tasks as well as the financial, custody, career and real estate issues. There are so many things to deal with when faced with divorce that it’s common to feel overwhelmed and frozen. Divorce Hacker breaks each month down into manageable tasks while also making time for yourself. This approach allows you to stay grounded and focused, so that you can create the life you want in a thoughtful way—rather than just reacting.

Should women always insist on keeping the family home and work extra hours to afford it?

Not necessarily. There are many factors to consider when it comes to the decision about the family home. Sometimes, it makes sense to let go and create a new home environment and a fresh start. Other times, it makes sense to keep the family home until the children finish high school while building equity. It really depends on the timing, the housing market, and the overall financial picture. I discuss this issue at length in the book–when to keep the family home and when to let it go.

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The Divorce Hacker’s Guide to Untying the Knot:

What Every Woman Needs to Know about Finances, Child Custody,
Lawyers, and Planning Ahead By Ann E. Grant, JD

Category:  Relationships / Personal Growth * Pub. Date: September 25, 2018

Price: $16.95 / Trade Paper/ebook * Pages: 296 * ISBN: 978-1-60868-560-8

By Sandra Ingerman

I have been passionate about teaching people in our modern day world about the power of bringing ceremony into our lives to restore our connection to the divine within and the power of the universe. Performing ceremonies has been a core practice in shamanism for tens of thousands of years. Ceremony  helps us navigate the changes and transitions that we are all going through in life. Once our connection to the divine is restored we can enter into the flow of life. Once we are in “flow” versus trying to “control” all the outcomes in our life spiritual forces guide us and provide help in graceful ways.

My shamanic ceremonial practice began in the early 1980s. No matter what challenge I was experiencing in life I found that by creating sacred space and performing a ceremony would be transformative.

As I would gather my sacred herbs to burn and state my invocations in honor of the compassionate spirits, the power of earth, wind, water, and fire, my ancestors who want to see me successful, happy, and healthy, and the spirit of the land where I live a sense of ancient support would fill my energetic field. I no longer felt alone in my struggles I could feel my ego and sense of “smallness” dissolve as I met theses ancient forces knowing they were joining me in complete support for my prayers for healing.

To feel such solid spiritual support from the forces of the unseen allies in nature I found myself feeling so centered, calm, and peaceful. We  are living in a time where everything is destabilizing. Performing ceremonies helps us to feel solid and empowered to focus even among all the distracting forces. This is why I wanted to introduce people to the healing power of performing ceremonies which led me to write The Book of Ceremony: Shamanic Wisdom for Invoking the Sacred into Every Day Life.

When we perform ceremonial work we actually step into a very ancient collective. For ceremonies have been performed for tens of thousands of years with the spiritual support Earth who of 4.6 billion year old and ancient elements of the wind, the sun, the moon, the constellations, and the primal sea. These forces  have been guiding us in creating more balanced ways of living through eternity. Our ancestors sing for us as we perform our transformative ceremonies to bring healing into our lives and into the world.

We step into a new frequency and a new vibration of life where we can travel back and forth between dimensions of the unseen realms building bridges so healing energies can flood this current collective.

Recently Jo wrote to me. She has been a student of mine since 2013. Jo shared that for two days she did physical projects outside with no joy, desultory. That experience led her to decide to perform a ceremony the next morning before embarking on her day. Once she did perform a ceremony she went on to find joy, fun, adventure, and even excitement in the same projects.

One of the simple ceremonies I teach is to buy a bottle of bubbles from a toy store and blow blessings into the wind to be shared with all of life. Some of my students are doing this in urban areas raising the curiosity of others and once learning about the intention join in to radiate peace, love, light, prayers for harmony, honor, and respect, and for healing.

We can send wishes into the wind to be carried up to the power of the universe who joins with us to manifest our greatest dreams and desires in the right time and in the correct way. We have to trust that our ego’s limited vision gets clouded to the broader perspective of life . When we perform ceremonial work we have to step away and surrender the outcome to a loving higher power.

The same is true with the cross-cultural ceremony of creating Prayer, Blessing, Wishing Trees. Some of my students have designated trees in parks and leave strips of ribbons to tie prayers around the branches (loosely) to not choke the life so they can continue to grow. These ribbons contain prayers for oneself, loved ones, all of life, and for the planet itself.

These simple ceremonies are contagious and raise people’s awareness to how we can work alone or in community to transform our lives and that of  the planet itself.

In The Book of Ceremony I inspire people to design personal ceremonies as well as bring local communities together for support and healing. And I show  how to inspire people in local communities with ceremonial work no matter what their religious or political orientation!! Ceremonial work can be bridged into every community by simply adapting your vocabulary to reach the hearts of all gathered in behalf of other community members and the planet.

Ceremony is a way to step away from operating on a rational level to tap into a flow that leads to manifest what is best for you and your community. It is how shamanic communities world wide build an invisible world of substance that is needed to manifest a new fabric reality to replace all that is dissolving  in our outdated paradigm.

Ceremony  helps us recover the sense of deeper meaning and sacred connection that makes ceremony a powerful tool for transformation and healing. Ceremonies have always been used to create transformation and create a bridge between the material world we live in and the world of the unseen, the divine, the power of the universe.

While performing a ceremony we step out of time into the sacred while lifting us out of ordinary reality and our humanness and puts us as equal partners with spiritual forces and allies.

About the Author:

Sandra Ingerman, MA, is an award winning author of twelve books, including The Book of Ceremony: Shamanic Wisdom for Invoking the Sacred in Everyday Life (October 2018; Sounds True). She is a world-renowned teacher of shamanism and has been teaching for more than 30 years. Sandra is recognized for bridging ancient cross-cultural healing methods into our modern culture, addressing the needs of our times. For more information, please visit https://sandraingermanbooks.com and follow the author on Facebook and Twitter.

1. What is Adam Decoded about? And, why did you write it?

Adam Decoded is the second book of a trilogy entitled “The Adam Series”. My first book – “Adam = Alien” initiated a new approach to human evolution positing extraterrestrial visitation and manipulation of CroMagnon genes to create a slave species. It elaborates theories posited by Von Daniken and Sitchen, showing proof using pyramids, monoliths and UFO’s as the main evidentiary support. “Adam Decoded” delves more into evolution and biological manipulation of our genes and explains why the Anunnaki wanted to create us. While I still do discuss pyramids and their incredible technological abilities, I show evidence of Egyptian hieroglyphs and Sumerian texts which “encode” the truth. I talk about the reasons our conventional media won’t allow the truth to be released and the code written right before our eyes. I involve the reader to help decode the truth.

2. What are you hoping readers gain from the book?

I hope the readers will gain insight into how valuable the Sumerian texts actually are in telling a true story of our origins. Who we are. Why we are here. The gods that made us. Their description, appearance and their individual personalities that really mirror human beings of today – some that are selfish, egotistical and power-driven, others sympathetic, caring and educating humans in social, civil, political and economic structures. They should understand that the Bible is very selective in its wording on stories about Genesis, and uses code to insinuate the gods’ influence. From the Garden of Eden to the Flood to the Tower of Babel, the Anunnaki influence is all-encompassing.

3. What did you learn about yourself as you wrote the book?

I learned that I am a seeker of the truth. I investigate textual and pictographical evidence to support my thesis, and am constantly learning how myth is history and vice-versa. How much influence wealthy industrialists and financial barons manipulate our education system to fabricate myths so as to support their own personal wealth and endeavors. How selfish these humans are and concerned only with their own survival. The lies they weave are believed by billions of people as “the truth”, and they actually make money sustaining them through religion. Faith is interest on a principal that is a façade. We live in a paradigm shift of the believers (slaves) and the non-believers (critical thinkers) that are on to their scheme.

4. The book has been described as: Controversial and explosive foray into the truth about the “missing link” that evaded Charles Darwin. It takes the reader on a journey to evaluate clues given in the Bible, ancient archaeology and Sumerian texts written in code 4,000 years ago. These clues shake the foundations of conventional science, history and religion.

What sort of clues are in there and how would they shake the foundations of conventional science, history and religion?

Some of the clues in the book revolve around the differences between the genetic makeup of primates and homo sapiens. 223 genes in homo sapiens are unaccounted for. Genes involving speech, cranial capacity, spatial thinking and even mutations that carry disease such as diabetes. All these 223 genes are unique, unevolved, non-evolutionary additions to homo sapiens. Where did they come from? How were they exacted into our makeup? Who intervened, and why? What is “junk DNA” and why is it called “junk”? Some clues are Biblical and others are written in Sumerian tablets in cuneiform that has already been deciphered. But why are these invaluable tablets not taught in every classroom in America? Why have so few people heard of these Sumerian tablets and what they say? Who are the gods of Egypt, Iraq and Greece, and how did they grow so large and carry such awesome weapons? Are they myth? Or actually real, flesh and blood humans? How did our brains evolve from 950cc to 1400 cc practically overnight? They certainly could not have evolved so quickly based on prior evolutionary markers. Were giants real? Are all these bones discovered of 7ft and 8ft humans in America fake? If Darwinism is true, were are all the transitional fossil evidence?

5. What advice would you give to people who are searching for more clues and meaning from the Bible or Spiritual texts

My advice would be to read with a different eye. To read as if we weren’t created by a single God, but many gods from pre-history. That the missing link lies in outer space.

6. Anything else?

I hope that open-minded thinkers read and study the Sumerian tablets and their relationship to the Bible. The stories are predominantly the same with some minor, yet supremely important differences. The words are subtle, yet impactful. Read as if they are true, the story is true, and we are kindergarten children in a universe of mature adults.

One protein that I have recently tried and like is naked nutrition chocolate whey. Below are some of the benefits I have experienced from it…

1. Increased satiation

One of the most important qualities of food or drinks for me is how satiated I feel after I eat or drink. I describe satiation as a feeling of fullness and satisfaction. For example, eating a donut may taste good, but likely does not leave me feeling full. However, one of the best reasons to drink protein shakes is they increase satiation. I usually feel full and satisfied after I drink a protein shake. I believe it is best to drink it with a meal, especially breakfast because I almost always eat less during breakfast when I have a protein shake with it and always feel more satisfied and full after I drink a protein shake.

2. Helps build and maintain muscles 

Protein is fundamental to building and maintaining muscles mass. This is also correlated with weight loss. For example, if you have greater muscles mass, then it is easier to lose weight. Additionally, if you are doing any sort of strength or resistance training, then protein can help you build and maintain muscle. This works in an interesting manner. For instance, immediately after lifting weights or doing pushups, or any resistance training, muscles are actually broken down, but later rebuild. Adding protein to your diet while you are lifting weights or doing resistance training can help your muscles rebuild. Additionally, muscle weighs more than fat. So, building and maintaining muscles mass can help shape your body too.

3. Increase sustained energy

I like drinking protein in the morning right before I eat breakfast because it helps give me long lasting energy throughout the day. This is the type of sustained energy, rather than a short term boost that later wares off. One benefit of this sustained energy is that I have little or no need to drink caffeine most days that I drink a protein shake. I used to drink a lot of coffee and even energy drinks on a daily basis. After I started drinking protein shakes for breakfast, I significantly reduced my need or interest to drink caffeine to start the day and still have sustained energy throughout the day.

4. Create you own smoothie or protein shake

Another benefit of drinking protein shakes is that you can combine other ingredients to it to make it taste great and enhance the nutritional value. I know it may sound strange, but I combine my protein powder with a raw egg, avocado, and apple juice. The combination actually tastes really good and throwing in a raw egg and avocado help to enhance its energy and nutritional value. However, you can mix it with other healthy ingredients such as blueberries, almond butter, bananas, kale, or whatever you want to add to your shake.

5. Regulates mood and prevents me from being hangry

There is a strong link between what you eat and your mood or stress level. Protein shakes help me regulate my mood and manage my stress throughout my day. On days when I don’t drink protein shakes, I am more likely to feel anxious, tense, stress, and less energy. However, when I do drink a protein shake, it is easier for me to relax, focus, and manage stress throughout the day.

Pick the right protein….

One of the most important parts of getting the benefits of protein shakes is to pick the right type of protein supplement. Some protein supplements are actually very unhealthy or not appropriate for your health goals. For example, I walked into a nutrition store once and asked one of the workers there for a recommendation for a protein supplement and he recommended a protein supplement that had 200 mg of caffeine, about the equivalent of 2 cups of coffee. If I had not carefully read the label carefully, I would have been drinking something that I was not aware had so much caffeine. Other protein mixes have a lot of sugar, carbs, or excessive amounts of protein.

One protein that I have recently tried and like is naked nutrition chocolate whey. It has a lack of chemical additives and high quality ingredients. The only ingredients include Grass Fed Whey Protein, Organic Chocolate, and Organic Coconut Sugar. There are No Artificial Sweeteners or Colors. There are 25 Grams of Protein and 5.9 Grams of BCAA’s Per Serving.

I have been drinking it recently and experienced all of the benefits listed above including increase satiation, a good supplement to my resistance training, increased sustained energy throughout the day, good tasting protein shake, and enhanced ability to manage stress.

For more information, please visit their page at

https://nkdnutrition.com/products/chocolate-whey-protein

Bright Colour Background Rainbow Wallpaper

If you have ever tried to read your own aura or you have asked someone to do it for you, you will likely have wondered what it means to have a blue or a green aura surrounding your body.

When it comes to auras it might seem like it means nothing, but there is a lot of reason to look for your aura and understand it to better understand yourself. There is aura energy healing which can take your aura and use it to heal the body, and the different colours you see will help you see what kind of person you really are. Here are some of the colours you could see and what they mean for you.

Red

If you see a red aura surrounding your body you are a healthy person, as this represents the blood flowing through your veins and a strong circulatory system. However red can also pertain to being a little aggressive and short tempered so make sure you train yourself to be calm and not let your emotions get the best of you.

Orange

Orange represents the reproductive organs and it is also something which can tell you that you are healthy emotionally. You are generally a sociable and bubbly person, however you can be the victim of stress and addiction if you let your sociability get too far.

Yellow

Yellow is a colour we all associate as being the happiest colour in the rainbow and this is also true when it comes to your aura. If you have a yellow aura you are likely a very optimistic person and you have an easy going nature to you. You are always full of bright ideas and you are happy to share your knowledge with others.

Green

Green auras pertain to someone who is balanced and healthy in their lives and in their mind too. They are the kind of person who loves to be outside and they are always happy to be around nature and the wild. They are respectful and open people.

Turquoise

This colour of aura is one which is often seen in someone who is a medical professional or care for a living. It is a colour which means compassion and love towards others and shows a sensitivity which the person has towards other people.

Blue

Blue is a colour which often represents someone who is calm and collected and easy to get along with in life. It will often be with parent figures and those in charge of care and it represents the ability to empathise and care for others.

Indigo

This represents someone who is open to the spiritual world and is able to see beyond what most see. It is a sign of intuition and instinct which can be unique and useful in life.

Violet

People with a violet coloured aura are represent the nervous system and therefore these people are the most sensitive of all. They are in touch with their own and everyone else’s feelings, they love deeply and they are creative souls. These are the artists, musicians and emotional souls of the world.

       Holistic health approaches mean that you are taking into considerationyour mind, body and spirit’s wellbeing. You don’t look at the three as separate entities, but conjoined and necessary toreach an optimal state of health. Keeping in mind that you must look out for your health tolive a happy and long life, taking care of your entire being will offer you the most benefits. More so, takingthis type of approach to health can teach you many valuable lessons that will assist you in every stage of life. These various benefits will be outlined below in much greater detail.

1. Physical wellbeing

First, it’s importantto look after your physical health. There are plenty of practices that allow you to maintain your physique and connect your mind and spirit, with yoga being one. Everyone wants to look and feel their best, and if you have an option to kill two birds with one stone, by practicing something that benefits you in numerous ways, you should. The next time you opt for a physicalactivity, think of the big picture and how it can improve your entire self, and not just your physical look.

2. Emotional state

Holistic health practices are different from traditional medicine in that they help balance your mind. Look at meditation, for example, and how the breathing exercises and learning how to live in the present moment calms you. The same can be saidfor aromatherapy and the use of essential oils to soothe yourself.

When you feel at peace, you can also think about your life better and what you want to pursue in the grand scheme of things. Plus, who doesn’t love feeling emotionally at peace? It won’t be easy to achieve, but once you do, it will be unlike any other feeling.

3. Makes you happier

Practicing the right holistic healthy habits will also make you happier. Already, it has been establishedthat they put you at peace, and in doing so,they also uplift your mood throughout the process. However, it will be hard to become an expert at meditation overnight, and until you reach a state of zen, you also need to continue adopting a positive mindset no matter what situation you are facedwith.

Life isn’t perfect, but there is always a reason to smile and be happy over something. Learning how to control your mind so that you do not dwell on what has been can allow you to think about the future positively. Think of the here and now, rather than what could have been, and you’ll realize what a wonderful life you have – or how to improve it so that you finally achieve everything you have always wanted.

4. Methods as old as time

Various types of holistic methodologies are centuries old, and the validity of certain practices thus has deep roots. You can look at acupuncture as one example, given that it goes back thousands of years ago to ancient Chinese medicine. Nowadays, technology has advanced to the point where many people have forgotten about olderpractices, and your family doctor often will not recommend these types of holistic remedies. However, they work just as well as current medications.

While you should never neglect medicine from your doctor, if you want to also practice holistic measures, be sure to speak to your doctor beforehand.By doing so, they can offer you holistic alternatives for you to consider. Remember that medicine is there for a reason: to neglect it, you are putting your physical (and mental) health at risk. Always ask a health professional for their guidance before you try alternative medicines.

5. Defines who you are

Some people let their diseases define them, and this should not be the case at all. Once again, helping you to see the bigger picture can be another benefit of holistic practices. When you are taking medication, all you are thinking about is the problem at hand, but you also need to think about how to achieve peaceof mind.

6. Health in olderage

The good habits that you form will assist you when you are older, especially given that this is a time when you are more prone to health problems. If you made a habit of meditating, practicing yoga, and overall balancing your mind while working out your body and finding inner peace, you should have reduced your risk of some illnesses. However, sometimes certain diseases and illnesses are genetic and inevitable. If this is the case for you, and you have dementia, for instance, this website suggests a great environment for assisted living. By living in such an environment, you can remain healthy and safe.

7. Always research

While the various approaches can teach you a lot about yourself and will benefit your health tremendously, you should continue always to do your own research on the topic. Know that some practices will work for you and some won’t, and it’s up to you to find what those are. For instance, while you may not see the benefit of acupuncture for your health, receiving massage therapy could be a completely different story. It all depends on you, your mindset and even your willingness to try out a new approach whole-heartedly.

Holistic approaches to health are not always the first topic of discussion when wellnessis considered, although this thought process has been around for centuries. Already, it has been mentionedthat looking out for your wellbeing is one of the most important things that you can do for yourself, and this is so primarily because it allows you to live your best life. Although people have a different idea of what the perfect life entails, everyone can agree that the ability to be happy and be healthy are two of the most important qualities that you can achieve. Doing so holistically, of all approaches, keeps in mind every single aspect of your being,and is thus beneficial to consider.

Why do you say that not even the great thinkers of our time have found a way to a greater understanding of life?

What I tend to point out regularly, is that we have many fantastic experts in all fields ofexpertise, but we lack individuals capable of embracing the “complexity” of accumulated wisdom. What we require are holistic, well-educated leaders who can combine the four pillars of our knowledge, ie. science, philosopy, religion, and spritituality into responsible and practical solutions that beneft humanity on all levels.

Based on your findings, do you consider yourself a philosopher?

I do consider myself a philosopher, as much as I consider myself a scientist and an investigator of the metaphysical, which includes our spiritual dimension and our need for believing in the supernatural.

Why do you think your life experiences give you a unique understanding of the mysteries of the universe?

Because of my excruciatingly painful childhood illness, and because of the many subsequent troublesome events in my life,I had to develop an open and sincere relationship with reality, with the way it is. Put simply, while other teenagers were out playing games, I was forced to work closely with my body, emotions, mind, and spirit. This gave me a profound insight into who we truly are and subsequently into the nature of the universe and how we co-create reality.

What do you believe is the key to an individual gaining greater awareness and happiness in their life?

If the world and the truth arise from within, then “knowing” the self, who we truly are, must be the most important and urgent task of every individual. I believe knowledge of the self is the fundamental key to our every need, goal and desire.

 What is the central focus of your book?

What we need is aware understanding, backed by responsible and efficient application.I call this process “Responsible Co-creation” and it represents a new stage in the evolution of human consciousness.

Responsible co-creation is the central thread of my research, and the aim isto make this knowledge accessible to every person and to provide the tools to realize everyone’s amazing inner potential. I don’t just “believe” this is the key, I have personally experienced and live this truth every day of my life.

Why do traumatic events in our lives sometimes lead to a better outlook and a deeper understanding of who we are?

When we are in pain we are forced to open, to search for new solutions, and this means growth! Put simply, pain has much greater potential (than pleasure) for achieving a deeper understanding of the world and of who we truly are. Pleasure, on the other hand, just makes us lazy, content and vain.

Can people create their own reality?

We are co-creating our reality all the time. This is the simple understanding behind all successful individuals.  This doesn’t mean the reality out there doesn’t exist. It just means we are all perceiving reality in our own individual way.

Is self-discovery and self-awareness always positive?

We are only as strong as our weakest link. Let me give my friend as an example. On his path of investigation, my friend gathered a wealth of information. But rather than find excitement in the infinite potential of the world, he found uncertainty and thus fear…Due to the ever-present uncertainty, which is a pre-requisite for change and necessary for the realization of the infinite potential, my friend found only fear, where I found only excitement and opportunity. In short, the “truth”didn’t excite him, it crippled him.

 What do you think of the old saying “Ignorance is bliss”?

It’s a fact that many people prefer not to understand or to know that which they fear or find uncomfortable. Many simply prefer to believe, and some even convince themselves, that faith is equal to knowing. I guess they find pleasure and, subsequently, freedom in not knowing. But ignorance can never lead to sustained pleasure or freedom, as fear arises from lack of knowledge, and sooner or later fear destroys temporary pleasures and, with it, our notion of freedom, peace, andcomfort.

Is intense self-awareness one of the keys to happiness?

 Absolutely. Awareness is the “building block” of everything we know and cherish…It is awareness of the self that separates us from the rest and gives us the perception of existence.

My favorite way toward happiness and a meaningful life is to exchange pleasure for meaning.  For example, to raise children involves pleasure and pain. But the “meaning” of bringing up a child will forever bring us pleasure.  In short, instead of looking for pleasure, we should “find pleasure in meaning” and happiness will naturally emerge.

By Kevin Repass

Coming out of a drug and alcohol detox or treatment center, stepping back into the real world and into recovery can be terrifying. There’s always the fear of what happens leaving an environment you knew you were safe and comfortable in. You wonder what’s next and how you can prevent yourself from relapse and change your old, unhealthy ways. Fear not, for there are many healthy habits and lifestyle changes you can make physically, mentally, socially, spiritually and emotionally to live a better life than before. It all starts with willpower and commitment. Just remember to focus, take care of yourself and your own needs first and foremost.

Physical

• Exercise– Getting yourself in an exercise routine at home or getting a membership at the gym is not only obviously better for health, it can also be an excellent way to stay occupied, relieve stress and make you feel better about yourself overall. It can help take your mind off the idea of drinking or using drugs. Yoga and martial arts are good alternatives if it appeals to you more
• Eat Healthy (or Healthier)– Eating better and getting sufficient vitamins and nutrients you need can make you feel better not just physically but mentally as well. I would advise trying to cut out or moderate any kind of addictive substances such as caffeine and sugar that could be triggers.
• Quit Smoking– I know it’s a lot easier said than done. Nicotine, along with caffeine, are two of the most addictive substances. Quitting smoking obviously reduces health risks but it also makes you feel better. Plus, there’s no better feeling than kicking yet another unhealthy habit out of your life. That should make you feel good mentally.
• Look Good, Feel Good– I know this may sound silly, but I found that dressing up nicely, maintaining good hygiene and making significant changes to appearance such as a haircut can make you feel better both physically and mentally. Shedding an old identity and creating a new one can help put the wreckage of our past in the rearview mirror.

Mental

• Seek Therapy – There is nothing wrong with seeking therapy after treatment. Visiting and speaking to a therapist on a regular basis can allow you to vent, relieve stress and stay focused on your recovery. It can be another shoulder to lean on in a time of need.
• Medications– Going on medications to help with any fear, depression or anxiety of going back out into the real world can be beneficial. Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are oftentimes linked to drug addiction and alcoholism.
• Identify and Avoid Triggers– Identify and avoid ANYTHING that you think is a trigger. Triggers are different for everyone and can come in the form of even the simplest thing. For example, I used to love mixing whiskey with Coca-Cola and drinking beer. As silly as it may sound, I try to avoid both the soda and alcoholic beverage sections of stores. Identifying and avoiding triggers can help you stay sober and mentally strong enough until they are no longer triggers at all.

Spiritual

• Alcoholics Anonymous & Narcotics Anonymous Meetings– Going to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings is another essential part in recovery. These groups truly are a fellowship where nobody judges anyone. Connecting and engaging with the recovery community in your area will make you feel human and accepted. It is a place where you are welcomed regardless of age, race, sex, religion or background. Hearing other people’s stories and sharing your own can be a sobering reminder where you came from and why you’re there. These rooms can save lives, spread hope, inspire faith and produce positivity. It truly is a miracle. The program works if you work it.
• Meditation and Prayer– Meditation and prayer can help you focus, relax, relieve stress, anxiety and help you live in the moment. It can help you appreciate what you do have in life rather than what you do not. It can help you acknowledge that the worst is over and the best is yet to come.
• Church or Other Religious Sanctuaries– Depending on your religious values and beliefs, maintaining a strong spiritual and social connection with a church or any other religious sanctuary can be cleansing, inspiring and empowering. It can restore and maintain any hope and faith you lost. It is a positive environment with positive vibes that can keep you focused on your path to recovery.

Social

• Cut Out Toxic People and Influences– After leaving treatment and continuing recovery, you might be tempted to hang out with your old drinking buddies or people you used to get high with. It is extremely important in recovery to pick and choose your company wisely. Cutting out people that can remind you of your past or tempt you into reliving it is vital. Cutting out toxic people and influences doesn’t always have to be permanent. For example, you want to hang out with a best friend you’ve known for years but drinks heavily. You can still keep in contact with this friend but it might be best to stay away from them in person for the time being so you’re not triggered or tempted. It’s all about assessing the situation and the risk versus reward.
• Avoid Old Stomping Grounds, Liquor Stores, Bars, Etc. – Severing ties to the past is a constant and essential theme in recovery. Avoid any location that is a well-known drug area or “stomping ground” where you used to buy, sell or use. Avoid the alcoholic beverage aisle in stores, liquor stores, bars and any other place that may trigger you or tempt you into drinking.
• Keep Good Company in Recovery– Maintaining a strong social support system is extremely important. You need people who are there to support, motivate and encourage you, not bring you down. Surround yourself with people who won’t influence you negatively or tempt you into relapse. Building a network with people in recovery themselves can be beneficial too. You have all “been there, done that” and are going through the same changes in life. You already know you have something in common which can help motivate and encourage one another. Being in recovery can be difficult for family and friends who love and care about you. It is important to keep in touch and surround yourself with family so they can tell or see how you’re doing. Making them feel better about your recovery will make yourself feel better about your recovery. They stuck by you through the worst of times but will always care and worry based on the life you used to live.

Follow these healthy habits in your recovery and you will be amazed at the results it produces.We may have one more relapse within us but we may not have one more recovery. A good friend I was in treatment with gave me the best definition of recovery I ever heard: “Recovery means uncovering your true essence.” Uncover yours.

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Kevin Repass is a recovering drug addict and alcoholic. He is a writer for https://yourfirststep.org/  a south Florida-based company dedicated to providing resources and information to all those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.