Sunday Sunshine: Live Joyfully. Live Peacefully. Live Lovingly.

Look in the mirror—not just to brush your teeth or comb your hair. Really look at your reflection. What do you see? Do you see the face of peace? Of love? Of joy?

Smile, for you are all of those good things!

When you reach into the depths of your being to find that eternal fountain of joy, peace and love, they can’t help but radiate from you so that they’re visible on your face.

Love, peace and joy are always there to tap into, even when things feel difficult or challenging.

So, use the gift of today to be loving, joyful and peaceful. Make it your intention to be a reflection to the world of all that is good. Reflect the light.

Today, this week: Live joyfully. Live peacefully. Live lovingly.

Sunday Sunshine: Be a Blessing

As human beings, our wants are often greater than our needs. When we pause and reflect on our blessings, both large and small, grand and everyday, immediate and evergreen, everything changes.

When we're grateful, we often find that what we have is enough. There is peace in knowing that it is all enough. There is no need for more. What we have is already blessing.

And when we feel blessed, we often find that there is enough blessing inside of us to share them with others. That sharing of blessing doesn’t have to be big or grandiose. It can be small, everyday and ordinary, such as purchasing a few extra nonperishable foods for your local food bank, calling a homebound friend for some conversation, opening the door for someone as you both enter a building or writing a note of thanks for a kindness expressed to you.

Those small acts reflect good in the world. That goodness will have a ripple effect, extending goodness again and again and again.

Today, this week: Look for ways each day to be a blessing to others. Reflect all that is good.

Sunday Sunshine: Plain and Simple: Be Kind

Each day, we encounter those who are hurting. When you do, offer a balm to them. Offer kindness. 

When you choose to be kind, you bring sunshine through your words, thoughts and actions.

Kindness changes things. It heals. It promotes hope. It brightens the day for others and for you. And it shines an example to others to be kind, too.

Today, this week: Plain and simple, be kind.

Sunday Sunshine: Be Authentic

It's hard to try to be like someone else. At certain times in our lives, especially when we’re young, we may try to mirror the actions of others, often just so we can fit in. Elements of our true selves come out, however. We can’t be exactly like someone else because we’ve been gifted with our own uniqueness.

Even as we mature, it’s easy to get caught up in the expectations and trappings of life and, consequently, lose sight of who we really are and what we really value and want in life.

Always be true to yourself, even when forces may try to sway you otherwise. When you're your real self, you don’t have to worry about adopting others’ ways of being. You will always honor the sacredness of you when you allow yourself to genuinely be you.

Be authentic. You’ll be content and the world will be blessed with your uniqueness.

Today, this week: Be the real you.

Sunday Sunshine: Bring Beauty to Your Day

I used to work with someone who frequently brought flowers from her summer garden to place in a pretty vase on her desk or display a beautiful orchid in an attractive container to decorate her office window during the long winter days.

What I learned from my friend was that we each have the opportunity to bring beauty to our day.

Perhaps it’s placing a vase of flowers on your desk. Perhaps it’s writing a note on pretty notepaper. Perhaps it’s knitting a sweater. Perhaps it’s piecing together an intricate quilt. Perhaps it’s creating an attractively garnished, healthy meal.

What it all comes down to is doing what makes your heart sing, what brings a smile to your face, what lifts your spirits, what brings you joy and beauty and meaning.

Today, this week: Bring beauty to your day.

Sunday Sunshine: Forgive

When I say something that I wish I hadn’t or do something that I would rather not repeat, I tend to play it over and over again in my head. I’d like to think it’s that I hold myself to a certain standard, but it may be more that I just have difficulty forgiving myself.

Reconsider carrying around those unnecessary burdens. Forgive yourself. Forgive others.

The weight of those things that you carry in your “can’t forgive” bag is unnecessarily heavy. Forgiveness lightens the load. When you forgive, you make room for peace. And when you carry peace around, it’s as light as a feather.

Today, this week: Forgive yourself and forgive others. Replace your burdens with peace.

Sunday Sunshine: Soar!

If you were to say in a sentence what you want for your life, what would it be? Put a name to those desires, those aspirations, those values, those dreams. When you name them, they become more real to you.

Perhaps this is the year you want to explore a new hobby or visit a new place (even if it's only virtually). Perhaps this is the year to learn how to play the piano or bake a fancy cake or write poetry. Perhaps this is the year to adopt a pet or adopt a new healthy habit.

What first steps might you take in order to make your dreams come true?

Take flight! Let your heart be swept away on the wings of your dreams!

Today, this week: Set your sights on your dreams. Soar!