The 4 R's Every Person Should Know About

I'm asked a lot about how I became so happy and how do I maintain my positive outlook. My answer, 'Baby, I was born this way!'. No, but really, we were all born this way until we learned and acquired a new negative way to perceive things.

Society has tricked us into believing we need this or that to be valued, respected, or significant.  We all want to be significant. And the truth is, aside from all the external things we buy, consume, or produce in hopes of gaining power and status, we already are significant.

So, instead of looking outside of yourself for the answer to your undying questions, I've developed a simple and fun way to look within to get that awesome, yet au natural "high" that I have. This is EXACTLY what I did to look and feel how I do today and here's how you can do it, too:

1. Read
The first R stands for Read. Read, my friends, read. I was never into reading, in fact, I absolutely loathed the idea, until I found a genre that sparked my interest: self-help. To the ego this may sound a bit hoax-y, but if you're not willing to help yourself no one else will be either. A little self-improvement never hurt anyone, but instead did just the opposite.

A few of the books I have read and/or are currently reading are as follows:

Spirit Junkie Gabrielle Bernstein
A Place of Yes Bethenny Frankel
Add More ~ING To Your Life Gabrielle Bernstein
You'll See It When You Believe It Wayne Dyer
Every Day A Friday Joel Osteen
A Return To Love Marianne Williamson
May Cause Miracles Gabrielle Bernstein
Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life Wayne Dyer
Make Every Man Want You Marie Forleo
A Course In Miracles

2. Run
The second thing you must do is Run, outside. Run after your dreams, literally and figuratively. Each stride forward is one step closer to success and inner peace. I have yet to find a high-powered exercise that allows me to feel so alive and connected to the world around me.

I started my running kick outside, with no iPod, phone, etc. With no distractions I have been able to become so inspired and awestruck by nature's beautiful creations.

I highly suggest you give yourself at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted running time outside. The results are worth the anticipation of checking your Facebook. :)

3. Rethink
During my outside running excursions I created affirmations or mantras that I stuck to for 30 days. I inhaled I am complete as I am, I exhaled I am wonderful as I am. This is a sure way to reprogram your subconscious to believing you are worthy just the way you are.

When I changed the way I saw myself, I then began to change the way I saw other people, some of the most difficult people, I might add. I began to see those people and challenging situations as opportunities for compassion and growth. I finally understood that, like me, the "difficult" people are trying to make it the best way they know how. And sometimes their idea of the best way may not be your idea of the best way. But that's ok.

4. Relax
After I learned to align my thoughts with love, I was able to relax and tap into my "source" through meditation. You will only truly relax through quieting of the mind and the only way to quiet the mind is to meditate.

I understand meditation may not appear to be for everyone, but it can be for everyone if you're willing to try it. Anyone anywhere can meditate, even if it's just for one minute. That one minute is enough to recalibrate your thoughts with positive intention. Your worries will dissipate and you will remember you are part of something greater than yourself. So, relax, you're in good hands.


Keep smiling,
Brittany