Fall in Love with
Your Life
Small changes bring
big rewards.
by Kim Childs
An Attitude of Gratitude
Each January, the lure of a fresh new
“The first thing is to look at what’s already working,” recom-
mends Victoria Moran, a writer, speaker and spiritual life
year inspires many of us to plan healthy
coach. “So often, we just say ‘Ack—I want everything to be
different,’ but we all have lots of things that are working well
lifestyle changes. By February, even
now.”
Moran, author of several books, including the forthcom-
ing Living a Charmed Life: Your Guide to Finding Magic in Ev-
modest goals may fall victim to a loss of
ery Moment and Meaning in Every Day, counsels her clients
to list 10 things for which they are grateful before they leave
motivation or the triumph of old habits.
bed each morning.
“These don’t have to be giant things,” notes Moran, “but
‘I’m grateful for this cat sleeping on my chest; grateful that the
I
f our latest resolutions are unrealistic (adding two hours of
sun is shining; grateful that I made this terrific pot of chili and
daily meditation to an overloaded life), too drastic (going
there’s some left over.’ Your day is now going to be built on
from junk food to raw food in the middle of winter) or un-
the positive framework of all that you have going for you.”
supported (vowing to think positively in a climate of naysay-
Moran also recommends taking quiet time in the morning
ers), they may be doomed before they are uttered. According
for prayer, meditation or journaling before the day’s agenda
to the life coaches consulted by Natural Awakenings, the
begins to tug and pull. A student of comparative religions,
most effective life makeovers involve starting where we are,
she observes that most spiritual traditions embrace a practice
taking small steps, setting boundaries and reaching out for
of going within to access higher wisdom. Tapping this inner
support on the journey. Here’s what these experts advise
guidance is essential to crafting an authentic life and staying
when setting out to make lasting changes.
centered in the midst of change.
 Collier / Lee Counties
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