Morning Motivation: Nourishing the Soul in the Center of the Storm

It seems as if everyone’s stress levels are on the rise, as we are all burdened with an increasing number of local, national, and world crises on top of our own personal struggles. On CNN recently, Jack Cafferty asked a great question: “how can people stay positive with all of this depressing stuff going on?” Here is a sampling of the hundreds of answers that he received, in no particular order:

Fresh sheets on the bedrn Family/grandchildren and friendsrn Being greeted by a dog upon returning homern Seeing animals playingrn Taking a naprn Camping/being outsidern Waking up with “my wits” about mern Comfort foodrn Faithrn Love

What a beautiful reminder that life's timeless pleasures continue to nourish the soul, regardless of what is happening all around us! Elderly people often look back on their lives and wish they had taken just a few extra moments to fully enjoy these uplifting pleasures – not just during the hard times, but especially during the hard times. Here is Brother Jeremiah's “If I Could Live My Life Again:” If I could live my life again, I'd laugh at my misfortunes more and other people's predicaments less. Spend more time counting my blessings, less time scrutinizing my blemishes. I'd spend more time playing with my children and grandchildren, less time watching professional athletes perform. More time enjoying what I have, less time thinking about the things I don't have. If I could live my life again, I'd walk in the rain more without an umbrella and listen less to weather reports. I'd spend much more time outdoors in small towns and much less time in tall buildings and big cities. I'd eat more of everything healthy and delicious, less of everything each meal, saving enough on the bill to feed a starving child. If I could live my life again, I'd get more beach sand between my toes and less friction between myself and others. I'd take more long baths and fewer showers (I can't explain why I've always been in such a hurry to spend my time). I'd spend more time with old people and animals, less time with strangers at clubs and parties. I'd act the age of my children and grandchildren more and act my own age less. I'd visit libraries, bookstores, and computer networks more and malls and movie theatres less. I'd play the piano more and play fewer mindless games like solitaire. I'd give my spouse and children more tender touches and much less advice. If I could live my life again, I'd spend more time fully involved in the present moment, less time remembering and anticipating. I'd be more aware of my core values and life mission, and less concerned with the reasons why I might not measure up. I'd smile more, frown less. I'd express my feelings more, try less to impress my friends and neighbours. I'd forgive and ask forgiveness more, and curse my adversaries less - but most of all I'd be more spontaneous and active, less hesitant and subdued. When a great idea or spur-of-the-moment adventure popped up -- an Easter egg hunt, an open house at school, a game of hide-and-seek, an opportunity to solve a problem at work or to satisfy a disgruntled customer, a hay ride, a chance to build a snowman or paint over graffiti, an invitation to watch a lunar eclipse or a shuttle launch -- I'd be less likely to stay in my chair objecting, "It's not in our plan," and more inclined to jump up and say, "Yes, let's!” You will not have this one day again. May you take just a few of today's moments to breathe, stretch, and open your heart to life’s timeless pleasures! To read other motivational and inspirational thoughts throughout the day, follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/DrDebBrown