Everyone wants to be counted and noticed, to feel they exist and make a difference…. to someone. It’s when we don’t feel we count, or are seen or cared about we can become depressed (an emotion turned against ourselves), or angry and violent (emotion and acts turned against others and ourselves).

A simple principle is helpful to remember regularly and in all phases of life: anything to which we pay attention..an interest, activity, relationship, or inner attitude tends to gain presence and relevance. It grows and develops, similar to watering a plant. You might want to ask yourself, what am I putting my attention on? What am I watering in my life?

Do I tend to focus on my difficulties, hardships? If so life grows burdensome, heavy, and my complaints will continue and increase. If I am obsessed by worries these too tend to proliferate and grow in intensity. On the other hand, do I know how to see good in my life, beauty in my surroundings…nature, people, music etc…? And can I experience and practice gratitude? Research has shown that focusing and putting attention on 3 things every day for which you are grateful, can change your life and make you a happier person. Cultivating beauty is another life changing ‘technique’ for you and as a ripple effect the people around you.

If you want to learn to cultivate beauty and need a little support, please join my upcoming ‘Cultivating Beauty’ online workshop this spring. Beauty has been a visitor in all of our lives… It may not have been noticed long or savored, but even the unhappiest of lives have nourishing memories. Will we bring our attention to recall them, and repossess them by opening to the feelings and sensations we felt in those moments? Doing so can make a lasting difference in our life.