5 Ways to Make Your Soul Smile

True kindness brings happiness to everyone involved, it's free and best of all, it never runs dry.

When choosing your "stranger" to help, there are a few things you want to keep in mind; not everyone wants to be helped which is sad but true, make sure you do not "over" help by crossing personal boundaries and try to be as subtle as possible as to not embarrass anyone.

Great examples:

• Allowing a mother/father with children go ahead of you in the line. Shopping with kids can be VERY stressful.
• Helping someone pick up something they have dropped is ALWAYS well appreciated, even if there are only a few items. Most people continue walking by.
• Holding the door for the person behind you, especially if their hands are full.
• Offer to lend a hand when you notice your neighbor is moving in or out. My husband has done this a number of times and was welcomed with open arms. (Use caution with this one, only go where you are comfortable and make sure someone knows what you are doing)

Bottom line, when you see some one struggling, lend a helping hand with a smile.

To keep some sort of sanity and make your soul smile, you need peace. Peace can come from a number of things, as long as that moment is all about you.

Great examples:

• A walk along a quiet path. Nature IS peace.
• Time spent on your porch or patio listening to absolutely nothing but IF you NEED music, I would say stay away from fast beats and lyrics... try the instrumental versions.
• A few extra minutes in the shower or bath.
• Time spent playing a solitairy game or reading a book.

Bottom line, take some time (5, 15, 30 mins) for yourself. Some time away from chatter and noise... just stillness.

Confidence leads to peace of mind which allows your soul to beam! We, as people, need more of this. Do not confuse confidence with pride and ego. Pride and ego are cold-hearted responses to pain and insecurity; not healthy at all. Confidence is when you accept that you are worthy of life; when you believe you have a purpose; and when you realize YOU decide your future. Confidence is not rude, does not talk down to people and holds its head up high.

A few ways to build your confidence:

• Start and end your day with a positive thought about yourself.
• When you make a decision, stick with it! If you are right you'll be rewarded. If you are wrong dust yourself off QUICKLY, get up, learn where you went wrong then make another decision. Failure is when you give up!
• Forgive yourself of your past, present and future! You can not move forward when you are constantly looking back.
• Realize that every person on this earth has issues that need to be dealt with and handled. We learn from our environments; good and bad. So recognize your faults, accept responsibility, then work hard to change them.

Bottom line, cut yourself some slack and learn to love yourself.

A PHYSICAL accomplishment will definitely warm your soul. If you are asking "why physical?" it is because a physical feat challenges your body AND mind. There will be a number of times your mind will tell you it is impossible, but your body will continue to push; or vice versa. When you challenge yourself physically you strengthen your mind. This smile will start in your soul but will end up on your face from ear to ear!

A few examples of ways to challenge yourself:

• If you are not one who exercises regularly, start there. Map out 1.5 mi and walk it! Yes, when you begin it will feel like it is impossible... but it is not!! Take your time and when you finish, send me a picture! (I love those moments)
• If you do workout, find a competition to enter. Do not go for the ones you have no fear in entering; CHALLENGE yourself. OR take up a new sport.

Bottom line, you know what will challenge you. You know that walking to school or walking your child to school is something you NEVER thought of doing; DO IT! You know you would never dream of biking 50 miles; DO IT! You know that 5 miles of running, let alone walking, is entirely too far; it really isn't, you CAN do it. Take your time, push yourself beyond that barrier that says CAN'T and accomplish that which was thought to be impossible.

Trust me! When you look good, you feel good. This does not mean you need to go overboard or go on a shopping spree (although that is nice). For the women: a great pair of jeans (straight leg is the go to cut for all shapes and sizes), a flattering top and a pair of heels or flats. For the men: a great pair of jeans (straight leg for you all as well), a tee in YOUR SIZE and a pair of clean shoes. This is only MY opinion.

However, if you have a great outfit already, then you've got this one covered. The best accessory to all outfits, men and women, is confidence. When you have confidence and you believe you look good, the one in the mirror will smile back at you.

Bottom line, your outward appearance speaks volumes about your inward feelings.