Walk Walking is a moving mediation. It allows you to slow down, and notice what’s going on around you. If you usually move a million miles per hour, walking can allow you to focus on being fully present, while indulging in movement you find so vital. It can provide you with an opportunity to mull over something that may be on your mind, or simply to notice beauty and bounty of what surrounds you. Drive Though not a common “vehicle” to self discovery, driving can prove to be an interesting process, especially if it’s difficult to find a quiet place in your home. Fill your tape or cd changer with your favorite music, and hit road to an unknown destination. See where your “self” leads you….

Authentic Outings A day spent wandering boutiques, a stolen hour in a bookstore, a mid-afternoon matinee, a journaling session in a coffee shop, or an afternoon being pampered at your favorite spa. These are authentic outings, and indulging in activities like these is similar to dating yourself. This is where you take time to be with you, with no purpose in mind other than sheer enjoyment. Old Hobbies What did you love to do when you were a small child? Did you scrapbook? Did you take dance classes, or write short stories? The authenticity of childhood interests cannot be denied. Revisit things you used to love to do as a kid. You will be amazed at passion within you, just waiting to be rediscovered. New Interests Investigate and research things you find intriguing. Do you have a friend who spends her time in ways that you envy or admire? Did you used to dream about being great at something? Did you used to wish for your family to support you in pursuit of a special talent or interest? Give yourself permission and support to explore it now. Who knows where this new path could lead?

The approach you take is not important. The fact that you make time to reconnect with yourself is. Try a little of each approach, and see what works for you. Have fun, and continually explore!

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This material is excerpted from “Life Fitness”, written by Kimberly Fulcher (kimberly_fulcher@compasslifedesigns.com). Copyright 2003. All rights reserved

2. You can write these in a Gratitude Journal. Or, you can incorporate this exercise into your morning routine. What do you do regularly in morning where your mind is free? Walk, shower, exercise, commute to work? Reap double benefits from what you're already doing by making that your 'gratitude time'.

3. Starting your day with gratitude puts you in a pretty good mood. So, when you get to work, begin with hardest thing you have to do that day. I suspect you'll find it much easier to accomplish.

'Gratitude unlocks fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.' -- Melody Beattie