One of the most healing things we can do is to get out in nature. Find the time to get out there and experience the outdoors. Connecting with nature can be very healing.

Find a special place that you can go to rest and relax with your family. Taking the time to unwind will bring a more fulfilling and enjoyable week. We found an amazing place to relax with our family. We traveled in the RV to Lava Hot Springs Idaho. They have some of the most healing mineral hot pools in the country. If you are out west take a drive there.

 Taking a hike in the mountains will bring an feeling of accomplishment and euphoria. Climb to the top and know that you did it all on your own.

There is nothing like the sounds and sights of nature. The fresh air can bring back feelings of youth and renewal. If you have an RV take advantage of it and get out there.

                I was startled awake from my daily 15 min. power nap by a phone call from my husband. He told me that there had been two explosions at the Boston Marathon. One of our sons was running the marathon and my thoughts instantly turned to him. I was so proud to hear of his courage to run this race of all races. The Boston Marathon had long been in my mind the ultimate triumph. Now I was worried about him and I wondered if he was safe. I texted our daughter and asked if he was alright. She quickly texted back and said that he had finished long before the explosions. I was relieved to hear this, but I was in anguish for the ones injured and their families.

                We live in a world filled with violence and uncertainty. A race that is always a positive triumph for all that participate became a tragedy. How do us as Americans deal with this kind of stress. We find ourselves on the receiving end of many evil intentions. One of the most important things we can do is not be intimidated by the terrorists. These attacks are engineered to make us feel afraid. We must not let them win and be afraid. We can find ways to defend ourselves physically and mentally.

                Physically we can support our law and fight for the freedoms that are contained in our constitution. We can be proactive in fighting for the laws that we value the most. Becoming active in our communities and standing up for what we believe in can help to defend our freedom. We can support our troops and our local law officers. Good people will always win if we stick together.

                We need to stay strong mentally also. Mental health is at risk with the violence around us. There are steps we can take to combat this threat.

1-      Make sure to exercise regularly. Exercise will get the good endorphins flowing and is a good way to control depression and anxiety. Running is a great way to get out there and stay healthy. Walking is good to. Find an activity that gives you enjoyment and fulfillment. Yoga, weight lifting, biking, skating, swimming, and anything that gets your heart rate up. If exercise is overwhelming to you find fitness in everyday tasks. Sweep the floor faster, or climb the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Anything that gets your heart pumping will combat stress.

2-      Take the time to seek out friends and family. Call someone and ask them how they are doing. Take the time to go to lunch with your co-workers. Reach out to others that you know are suffering. The kindness that you show to them will go a long way.

3-      Seek out alternative remedies to depression and anxiety. Medication is good to keep severe mental illness under control. But many times it becomes ineffective or doesn’t address the chemical imbalance. Look for other natural methods that could help you. Hypnosis is becoming a great alternative to medication. Herbal medication can help when you need to balance your body. Massage therapy is another strategy that will help you combat stress, depression and anxiety. The human touch can be very healing.

In a world filled with stress and uncertainty make sure that you find a way to stay strong and healthy.

As I woke up this morning, I thought about the last couple days. Every day was filled with doubt and worry. Then I set out to make a day that was full of good things. A good run, a morning sun, a smile on my face.

Watching the sun rise and color the road with light, I realized that every road leads to a new start. Every road leads to a second chance to make a better day.

So go out there and give yourself a second chance. Everyone needs one.

Every morning I wake up to cold temperatures. I wonder if spring is ever planning on making an appearance. It seems to be a long winter this year. I think many of you would agree.

So I find myself looking to the sky for hope. Hope that spring has not forgotten us and that it is just around the corner.

I look into this sunset, and take a moment to think that life is good. The sun will come for another summer and the cold of winter and the frost of life will be warmed by the songs of morning birds.

Have courage my friend we are almost there.

The picture you see is the white sand on a beautiful tropical beach? Imagine the warm breeze blowing through your hair. The warm waves of water flowing over your feet as your toes feel the warmth of the sand squishing through them. The sun is bright and comforting. The beach calls to you to run down the shore and take in all its beauty.

Did you go there with me as I described the beach. I did too as a wrote the words. But the picture is not sand but snow. The cold north wind blew and created these waves in the snow. It was bitter cold and the wind pulled at my coat making me huddle closer into my scarf. I fed the fire trying to create some warmth in the house, but the north wind seemed to pull it from the walls and carry any warm out into the storm.

 How did you feel on the first description of the picture? Did you feel relaxed and warm. Did you feel at peace. How did you feel on the second description of the picture. Did you feel, cold and dark, or sad. What was the difference in looking at the picture? It was your perspective. Everyday we reach into the day with a perspective of how the day is going to go. We can set that perspective to be cold and dark, or warm and inviting. It is up to us to see the beach or the cold north wind. We have to decide how we want to live that day, in the warmth of your hope or in the cold north wind of your doubt. Choose the light!

The orange sunrise called out to me to come out and feel the warmth of the glow. Why are sunrises so beautiful. They are because we need that burst of color to get us going in the morning. The sky seems to say, "Come out and play. Come out and feel the warmth of the sun." Colors inspire us to remember the beauty of life. Sunrises are a perfect display of color and life.

Why do we shrink from such an invitation? Only because the weight of life keeps us down. So get out there my friends and find a reason to live, find a reason to love, and find a reason to try. Pick up your feet and become strong from the trials of life. We all have them. They will, if you let them, make you stronger, or they will break you if you let them.

Winter is so hard on the mind. It's cold! It's dark! It's lonely!

Many will experience weather related depression at this time of year. The holidays are over and the excitement diminishes. But there are steps to take to avoid falling into the darkness of the Winter.

• Get out in the sunshine for at least 15 min a day. If the clouds are covering the sun, make sure to go out on the days that the sun peeks through.
• Exercise everyday even if it's only for 20 min. The body needs to move.
• Call a friend on the phone. If you don't have a friend, it's time to put effort into getting one. Depression will creep up if you isolate yourself.
• Treat yourself to something that you love, a movie, a latte, or a favorite meal, all of these splurges will lift your spirit.
• And last of all. Do something for someone else. Service is the best way to pull yourself out of the winter blues.

Sunrise...Sunset...Sunrise...Sunset..Swiftly flow the years. One Season following another...Laden with happiness and tears.

The temperatures fall to below zero, but the sunrise brings promise of a new day. Not to easy getting out to run, not impossible, but difficult. I ended up burning my lungs on one of these cold, cold days and have been unable to breath hard in a workout ever since. So the exercise is on hold until my lungs figure out how to heal.

So a day without getting out there to run has left me feeling down. Most runners know that it is the run that keeps them healthy mentally and physically. The endorphins released during exercise help keep the chemicals in the brain balanced. Hence running is a great antidepressant.

Life is so full of ups and downs. It's tough when those downs outnumber the ups. Running is an automatic up. Left without running makes life seems laden with tears. Like the song says "Gotta get up and try, try, try. Do we have a choice. Yes, we do have a choice. Just get up and do something, anything, to bring smiles even if it's just a little thing. Like getting wrapped up in a sunset, or rejoicing with a sunrise.

 Yesterday was the fourth anniversary of my Father-in-laws death. My husband loved his father dearly and misses him so much. It was a dark and snowy day yesterday. The sky was gray and the sun did not want to shine through.

I took some time to remember and think about Dad. He was a good man and always made me feel so accepted in his heart and in his sons life. I knew he thought of me as a daughter.

"One great thing is that the "Love" shared never dies.  Remember a tender moment or a hug and reclaim it. Let it wrap around you, feel it encircle you with all its warmth and sincere love."

A father and a son together in life in almost everything they did. Now separated for a space there is many tears shed.

But today the sun reappeared and brought back the feeling of hope and of knowing that we will see him again on day. All the tears will be tears of joy.

As I ventured out in the below 0 degree day, I looked for the beauty in a cold miserable morning.

There was now much light coming through the dense fog, but the trees were beautiful. The fog had touched each and every branch of the trees, covering them with white crystal leaves. 

I proceeded to one of my favorite trees. It became my favorite tree in my childhood. We used to ride our bikes under its enormous branches and as we did we would look up. The branches moved through the sky making us as children feel like we were flying.

We all dream of flying. It is a magical wish of all children. Sometimes in special places we can feel the thrill of flight. This magical tree gave that to us every time we ventured to it's gigantic branches.

Find the childhood magic in your life and revisit the thrilling flight of an ancient tree.