By Sky Handke

Spring is a time of renewal, birth and creativity. Flowers are starting to bloom, the sun stays up longer and we feel upbeat, anticipating summer's aliveness. Take advantage of this time inspiring you to make changes in your life, to renew and reboot your body, mind and spirit.

Here are 5 simple ways to do just that:

Sometimes we go through our day, rushing from task to project, determined to get through our to-do list for the day. By the end of rushing through the day, we can find ourselves feeling ungrounded, incomplete and sometimes even lost, because we didn't take the time to let our spirit catch up with us. I've been practicing meditation and being present for quite some time now. And it continues to be a practice... some days I am better at it, some days it feels like it's more of a challenge.

What I have come to realize, though, is that there are so many opportunities for me throughout the day to become fully present through focus (which is one way of meditation). So even after my morning ritual I now do my best going through the day using every opportunity I get to become fully present, focused and grateful in the moment. Today start noticing all the opportunities to become fully present in your doing and being throughout the day. It starts with getting up and getting into the shower. Really indulge and feel the drops of water on your skin, on your scalp. Let the water clear your being and wash off any energy that is not in harmony with your well-being. As you feel the water washing down your body and draining down the tub, imagine roots growing out of the soles of your feet, grounding you deeply into earth. Being enveloped in the warm water, feel the gratitude in your soul to be able to start your day and wake yourself up in this beautiful way. What are other tasks throughout the day in which you want to become more present?

With human living becoming more and more urban and hectic, we sometimes forget about the comfort and renewal nature can give us. When we go out in nature and connect with Mother Earth, we connect with our soul. Take the time to go out for a walk often, even if just 10 minutes through the dog park. Be aware of your surroundings, the trees, grass, bushes, flowers. Maybe there are leaves on the ground? Really "feel" your surroundings. What does it smell like? How does the breeze feel on your skin? What are the sounds you hear? Journal about it and note how you felt before you went for a walk and how you feel after. I can almost guarantee that your spirit will be lifted after a nice walk, connecting with our nature friends.

Even when things go wrong and in our deepest pain, there is still much we can be grateful for. Gratitude is one of our biggest allies in the process of healing ourselves. Take a break from reading right now, close your eyes and envision everything you are grateful for in this moment. Start a gratitude journal and in it write three things you are grateful for every day. Notice how you develop a more positive attitude towards your day.

Schedule a day in your calendar on which you do all the things that make you smile, bring you pleasure and nurture you. Take a sauna at your local health club and curl up on your couch to read a book. Be creative and create your vision board - a collage of your visions, dreams and desires. Attend a meditation class, a dance class (or dance at home... like nobody's watching), yoga class and get into your body. Go for a hike or just cuddle up and spend the day watching your favorite movies. What brings YOU joy?

Try one thing once a week or once a month you have never done before, challenge yourself. Instead of taking your car, ride the bus and see who you run into, meet or connect with. Take a dance class you never thought you would. Sign up for that 40-day yoga challenge at your local yoga studio. Take a different route to or home from work. Try a food item you've never had before. Go skydiving, mountain climbing or take a trapeze class. Go rollerblading or ice skating. Switch grocery stores for a week. Sign up for that Spanish or sewing class you've been wanting to take.

Let the energy of spring guide you as you awaken your body, mind and spirit to what IS.

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