So, this just happened. I released what was supposed to be one little Kindle book but then thought..."what the heck" let's make it into a little notebook as well. This tiny 4 x 7, 60 pages, slip in your purse or pocket is a quick recap on what we need in our lives to be happier. How we are responsible for our own thoughts and feelings. Plus what we can do more of each day to feel happier.

Over the next few months, I have a few different Kindle books that I will be releasing and will probably turn into these cute little 'pocket' books.

So, what does it take to be happier in 5 minutes a day?
Well, I don't want to give away all the secrets, but ultimately it comes down to mindset. What we decide to focus on is what we receive more of.

If we focus our energy on being miserable we will get more misery, but if we focus our intention of happiness, we will get more happiness in our lives.

So pick up this cute little quick read or download it to your Kindle app.

Being kinder is not about making sacrifices or denying your own needs. Treating people kindly is not an imposition or another task on your checklist.
 
It’s the outward manifestation of living positively. Kindness is all about mindset, and you can train your brain to make kindness almost automatic. Ever notice that being kind to someone makes you feel good too? It’s because altruism promotes a chemical reaction in your brain, releasing serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine. These chemicals not only make you feel good but also work to reinforce positive social behavior. By laying down new neural pathways, you set yourself up for living a positive, kinder life.
 
Here are some scientifically proven tips for engineering kindness into your brain.
 
1. Choose to be kind
In choosing to be kind, you are consciously resetting your mindset to treat people with compassion and empathy. Notice the effect of your kindness on others. When you smile, people’s natural reaction...

What does Creativity mean?

To most Creativity is the creation of a masterpiece or writing a novel, maybe playing in a symphony. But really, creativity is in everything we do. From cooking to gardening, starting a business to creating a spreadsheet. Creativity is at the base of all new inventions. 

When we open ourselves up to creativity it fills in all areas of our lives. It makes our lives juicier, funner, more experiential. Increasing our creativity makes life worth living.

What are some ways you can increase your creativity?
10 quick and easy ways
1. Journaling: start with one page a day and grow forward
2. Gratitude: write down 5 things your grateful for every day
3. Color: markers, crayons, pencil crayons, it doesn't matter
4. Garden: plant something or even just buy a new pot
5. Cooking: shake it up and change the recipe, or maybe even cook without one
6. Read a book: instead of watching TV
7. Create a spreadsheet: for your budget, get fancy and use color
8. Pick up a rattle or...

It might seem unreal that writing in a journal could be so beneficial. But the scientific evidence is in, and gratitude journals do benefit you in big ways if you keep one for the long term and use it daily. 

Experience Stronger and More Fulfilling Relationships
It’s so simple, but it can be hard to accept. You are the one who makes yourself happy with your own choices. Another person cannot make you happy or grateful. Only you can do that. But something amazing happens when you express gratitude often – your relationships simply open up and become better. Those that don’t, you start to recognize for what they are and let them go.

Become Physically Healthier 
Being grateful for the ability to move and breathe will eventually cross over into wanting to ensure that you can always do that. Therefore, you’ll be more motivated to go on walks, eat right, stay hydrated, and live in gratitude for every aspect of your life.

Increase Your Mental Dexterity 
The...

I love this time of year. No matter what holiday you celebrate you have to admit it is a magical time. The majority of people are being nice to one another, even though people seem rushed they still try to take time to acknowledge and give to others.

It is a wonderful thing to see. But, what I have always wondered is why people save up their kindness for 1 month out of the year. Why can't we be in that giving spirit year round? Why can't we be kind to each other all the time? Why do we need the sparkling lights and holiday music to remind us to love one another?

I don't know the answer to that. I've been trying to figure it out for years. Share your thoughts.

But  this time of year can also be a tough time for some. Depression increases, suicide rates soar and every December there seems to be at least one parent in our city that takes out themselves and their kids, which is a huge eye opener for all...  for a few seconds. What is it about this time of year that brings such...

I can't believe that a whole new decade is upon us. 2020!

I remember when I was a kid and thought about the year 2000 and how I would be 32 that year, and it seemed so old. 2000 was like some sort of magical number, a new century. And, as it got closer we had the whole Y2K thing, and everyone was so freaked out about what would happen to our computers and I worked for a large corporation at the time and was one of the ones tasked with staying up all night to report any issues that may or may not happen because we were all so concerned that we wouldn't have our beloved computers come January 1, 2000.  Maybe the world would come to an end, we had no idea.

In hind-site it all seems so ridiculous now. Of course nothing happened, the world went on, computers went on and life as we knew it went on. 

Now here we are on the precipice of 2020, and we have no concerns about our computers blowing up. But, we do have concerns about our political climate, about the issues in the world...

Tomorrow is the launch of the Creative Soul Healing Podcast. Where we interview creatives, healers, and people who have healed with the help of creativity.

Our first episode features Kriket, a Shaman from Edmonton, Canada. 

Kriket has been practicing Shamanism in Edmonton for almost 25 years. She practices the Medicine of her Grandmother and family from Finland. Her interest in stories and Myths from around the world sparked when she began to experience shamanic trances. She shared her intense desire to learn and teach through a shamanic drumming circle she led for 15 years. During this time she listened intently to the journeys of others, reporting their visual and visceral experiences they had when entranced with the sound of the drum. Common themes, symbols and mythological beings, were a constant in her own experiences, as well as experiences shared with her during drumming circles and classes she taught. 

In her quest to better understand the shamanic visionary world,...