You’ve had some high times over the years. Now, you stand in the rough—in a brand new world. You’re trying to figure out how you might best express yourself, and how you want to be received.

You want to get your edge back, dammit! What to do?

You want to feel and look exquisite from head to foot to soul. You’re a midlifer, and one mother of a multi-tasker. You can absolutely be a fiery vixen if you wish. Or, a thrill-seeker. Or even a frill-seeker. You can dance the Jailhouse Rock, you can wear socks with platform sandals (!!) —because that’s actually in style, and anyway—at this point in life, you can do whatever the hell you please.

All kidding aside: you are a woman of worth. You need to get primed and ready for a very wonderful time of your life—and if afraid of what may be involved in that idea—just behave in alignment with the belief of achieving.

Decide to take stock in yourself. Wait, that’s it!

Based on my personal experience, one way to stay ahead of the curve is to exercise the body in a consistent way. The reason—aside from the obvious benefits that we are already so well aware of—is so that you feel good moving through space.

No more of that body-hating hogwash! This is your time.

The one thing you can control—for as long as you have such a gift—is caring for and investing in your body. And some sort of fitness practice whether it’s yoga, cycling, weights (which are key to put in play as we mature) or even brisk walks, as long as it’s happening regularly—will lift your spirits, enhance your glow, and your body will loooove it!

I promise you one thing: not only will you feel better and feel energized (nothing like an invigorating endorphin burst), you’ll boost resilience and nurture your self-confidence, to do things like dating again if that’s you and you’re ready. By developing a routine and staying with it, you’ll also be building a platform to stand on when the floor under you is moving—and yes, the floor always seems to be moving in one way or another.

Fitness acts as the glue to hold you together when you need it most. And it’s a great way to meet like-minded people; people who take stock in themselves. And that’s catchy—another good thing.

If you’re fearful of starting out, one way to counteract that fear and flip it into fuel is to take action by coming up with a list of positive outcomes that you personally want to get out of your commitment. And then, dive in! Make plans with a friend to commit to a routine, and then go for coffee afterward. It’s fun—you’ll be surprised!

I love staying fit not only because it helps me to feel good in midlife, it burns off steam and helps to manage stress—which keeps me from getting into too many scuffles on the streets of New York City. As John Ford, played by Henry Fonda said in The Grapes of Wrath: “I’m just trying to get along with out shovin’ anybody around, that’s all.” 

Now, get it in gear Woman. Make it happen! 

The post No More of That Body-hating Hogwash! appeared first on A Zestful Life with Nancy Sherr.

-William Shakespeare

I’d say I’ve learned much of what’s important to me through bursts of obsession. I try my best to know what I don’t know, and then feverishly seek out the how-to’s to bring the clarity I need to move ahead. Much of that, of course, is in my DNA. The way I’m wired. Perhaps it’s the healthy part of my sometimes unhealthy perfectionism — the side of it that serves me well.

When I examine myself in the relationships of these endeavors, and in my inner circle — the underpinnings of my entire life journey — I think about three things.

Intuition, courage, and honesty.

Sure, life is full of surprises. Some that blindside us, and some that we instinctually see coming, but sometimes choose to look away from.

Perhaps it’s a conversation we’ve been avoiding — the mere thought of being unguarded and vulnerable is just way too uncomfortable. At work, with family, and in relationships we care about, we have a hand in a better outcome — if we step up and lay the truth out on the table.

When we do that two things happen: we reinforce the self-esteem we should be demanding for ourselves, and we invite the person on the other side of the table to join us on our side, and share their truth.

Ruthless compassion on your own behalf inspires others to ignite the same for themselves. And then, everything lifts to a richer level, reaching for the pinnacle of exchange and outcome. We get more accomplished, more efficiently, all with greater clarity and truth. Authenticity illuminates what once was a dimly lit path.

Honesty. It takes guts. And fortitude. It’s about coming out of hiding.

Think about what might be possible if we muster the courage to dive into a conversation with radical honesty — when we share with full heart and listen with even more heart.

Suit up. Own it. Be emphatically and soulfully honest. 

Find your day of reckoning. It will be revolutionary.

The post Honesty. The Emphatic Choice. appeared first on A Zestful Life with Nancy Sherr.

I’ve never been a fan of declaring specific resolutions, mostly because they don’t usually pan out the way I’d hoped. It’s natural though, particularly at this time of year, to take a look in the rear view mirror and reflect on this past year.

I like to view the experience of life as being woven by vibrant pathways of feelings. That’s essentially the determining factor in what makes relationships whole, and time well spent. We reflect on feelings that emerge from what worked, what we accomplished, events that caused pain or disappointment, reminders of the struggles we worked through, and where we fell short.

When is the last time you honestly asked yourself how the people in your inner circle make you feel?

How do you truly feel as you’re immersed in your day-to-day life?

We can be gifted in seeing the good in others, the light in people, but we must be mindful of their shadows, their masks. We must make deliberate decisions of discernment and be thoughtful of who we grant access to our inner circle. Are the people and experiences close to you lifting you up? Bringing you love and joy? Inspiring your growth? We need to refocus attention on this, and stay on it.

“At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

Truth is, if you could create a life filled with love and meaningful relationships, if you could paint your clean white canvas just the way you wanted, how might you best do that? What got in your way of moving towards that this past year? What choices kept you stuck, in that same icky rotation? Did you create a better life for yourself? What helped you clear the space to do that?

I’ll say this: painful experiences of change can work wonders to create space within us, positioning us to be open to accepting new energies. They can lead us to stand at our easel, take hold of our paint palette, and design our unique life, fashioned with hand-selected treasures.

Evolved and revealed to the world — as you.

Change doesn’t come without challenge; however, we must look for what’s perfect about the change and then create the best outcome. In this post, I describe one of my great life losses, and how that loss served me the grand opportunity to create a new and fully expressed life and a business that I love.

And in this post, I share my personal views on divorce, another intensely painful experience. The best medicine? A radiant investment in oneself with an intense commitment to blossom. Exclamation point. Accepting things to have been is the only way to move forward.

With the grace of trust in myself, and with the grit of devotion in doing what’s aligned with my true self, and with the thrill of true presence, I’ve arrived at a new threshold of resolve and clarity. It feels really good. But, without staring down the dragons of change, I’d never have arrived here.

How can the changes you’ve endured be transformed into a renewed spirit and a vibrant you?

Deliberately push doubt off the table. Clear the decks.

Release the anger that doesn’t serve you, and let that simply fall away.

Make space. Stay open.

Redefine your magnificence.

Get set. 2013. Break into it. Resolve to Evolve.

The post 2013. Resolve to Evolve. appeared first on A Zestful Life with Nancy Sherr.

As I was moving through my vinyasas this morning in yoga, I should have been clearing my mind and focusing on my breath. Instead, my mind was busy. Calming my mind at yoga, has been a typical challenge for me over the years. Although I’ve gotten better at it, while resting into the belief that it’s called “practice” for a reason, the internal chatter this morning was a real distraction.

In the midst of this holiday season, my thoughts are heavy. The devastating Newtown massacre and the heated debate presented on gun control, along with the far greater issue in my view: the gross lack of support for the mental health crisis in this country; mourning the loss of a beautiful family friend this week to cancer—she was 26; and in general, acknowledging the dichotomy of the joys and sorrows we face over the years. Life can bestow galactic-like force on any given day. We’ve witnessed its power on countless occasions. And it isn’t always about what’s fair, but more how we invest those experiences in others and ourselves.

As likely for many of us, 2012 was filled with highs and lows. For me: the demise of my 19-year marriage, the throes of college admissions—which is every bit as stressful as I expected, and the good fortune of self-expression and success in unveiling my creation: A Zestful Life, a sanctuary created to radiate rockets of inspiration and motivation to women who are enduring many of the big life changes I’ve endured. Perhaps each of us indeed, is best placed to teach from the journey of our own experience. I relish that opportunity.

We can choose to bemoan our provocations; it’s a given that life is not without challenge, grief, and loss. However, as I think about our world today, I am of many minds. We continue to forge ahead and make strides in our great country, and with wisdom and strength we embrace lessons learned and push ahead with greater clarity. We might also open our vistas through a wider lens, and step outside our cushy western world for a moment and consider life on distant frontiers. There are stunning observations.

I recently had a fascinating conversation with United States Army, Major Rory Aylward, who served two tours in Afghanistan. His mission was working with civilian agency partners in the region, organizing and creating civil infrastructures in anticipation of our departure over the next few years. I expressed my curiosity during our conversation, about Afghan women—mothers in particular—and what their hopes and dreams may be for their children. Major Aylward enlightened me.

“She would hope her children could have access to some form of education and at a minimum, learn to read,” he said. Literacy of the Afghan people is, {aside from Burkina Faso, a small country in West Africa}, the lowest on the planet at 28% {men 43%, women 13%}. The Major went on to say that Afghan mothers, depending on their level of conservatism, may hope that one day their daughters would have even a sliver of the opportunity that we enjoy in the west, to actually experience a valued role in society.

Many Afghan people dread our military presence leaving the region. They fear a total collapse of infrastructure that’s been created in advance of our departure. Each day in the press, there are countless stories of atrocities launched against innocent girls and women in that part of the world—all as I belabor over what college my daughter will attend next fall, and as I extend the luxury of creativity, building my desirous and robust coaching programs for the business I love—all from my comfortable Manhattan home.

A little gratitude and humility is in order, I’d say. Yes, there is much that’s out of our control, and while our lives may feel overwhelming from time to time, we nevertheless, must extend gratitude for the richness of freedom and for the opportunities we enjoy in the western world.

I believe in acts of kindness, and even as an enthusiastic student of positive psychology, I shouldn’t necessarily need the wisdom of the distinguished Martin Seligman to remind me of how well it serves the human condition. Doing a kindness redirects the focus off of one’s own self, and magically turns into golden nuggets of goodness when cast onto others. I’ve always viewed magnanimity: being noble and generous of spirit, as a most attractive and compelling human attribute. We need to see more of it.

So, let’s be present and let’s be kind. And let’s be grateful to have the choices that we do, and to have the opportunity to make the most of them.

Be Well. Happy New Year.

The post Gratitude Galactica and The Year 2013 appeared first on A Zestful Life with Nancy Sherr.

I emerged this morning from my Upper West Side apartment building to the first sun seen in days. Considering the massive destruction we’ve just endured, the air felt immediately different. It was crisp, bright, and energized. People were bustling once again along the city streets – with that distinct New York City intention. The pulse of the city was roaring back. It felt really, really good. Full of hope.

I reflected on the power of destruction available to Mother Nature coupled with the acknowledgement that we are, in truth, frail creatures in comparison. I thought too about the testament to the human spirit — the span of humility to the power of resilience — and all that creates that strength of heart. I thought of the sense of resolve available to us, if we choose to reach for it and put it in play.

I hunkered down in my little home with my two teenagers and my two dogs riding out Hurricane Sandy. Aside from the jet engine sounds of howling winds, trees uprooted on the streets, and a few flickers of power lapse, we miraculously came through untouched. Unmatched destruction impacted my neighboring city dwellers, and those along our beach coastal communities –- we are all well aware of the unthinkable personal losses as well as the loss of humanity that took place.

Based on conversations I’ve had with friends who were seriously impacted by this natural disaster, I am reminded once again of the power of personal resilience and the choices we have to view these tragedies as an opportunity to grow, and through that experience, to refine our personal perspectives. It’s experiences like these that serve as a crystal clear reminder of what’s most cherished, and most precious.

This morning when I walked the streets of my city, I felt proud to be a New Yorker. I felt fortunate and inspired to be a neighbor to those who expressed such power of resilience in the face of extraordinary personal loss.

I’ve always viewed New York City as a powerful place. It’s a place where people can dare to be great, and a place where people can dare to be themselves. But moreover, it’s a place that inspires people to acknowledge the realities of human vulnerability, to never give up, and most of all — to be grateful to be alive.

Once again: Way To Go, NYC. 

The post Sandy & the Magnitude of Resilience appeared first on A Zestful Life with Nancy Sherr.

Up until this weekend, I knew jack about NASCAR. And the astonishing thing is – up until this weekend I viewed the sport as nothing more than auto enthusiast thrill-seekers who relish fast cars, loud noise, and a money pit life. Just goes to show how narrow my focus was on this sport, and how much being there live changed my view.

Intrigued to experience the race car phenomenon, I walked onto the grounds of The Riverhead Raceway on the east end of Long Island wondering if I’d be longing for earplugs — just wasn’t sure what to expect. The good news was there’s an endless supply of Bud Lite available at the raceway with plenty of dirty foot longs, so no matter — all wouldn’t be lost.

En route to the raceway, I was reflecting on the journey of personal evolution acknowledging with my dear comrade, whose {crazy turned awesome} idea it was to attend the races, about how life can pack a punch, acknowledging the challenges of navigating big life changes, and even more arduous — when whammed over the head with unexpected life-altering events. We talked about how great the experience of change can be though, for those who can exercise the gift of staying open to the possibilities, and by extending the will to trying new things.

At a NASCAR event there are a variety of races and a variety of cars. This track raced a quarter mile and each race for a specified number of laps. The Figure 8 being the absolute heart-pounding thriller where the drivers race in a Figure 8 format which means they cross paths in the center at high speeds . . . yes, insanely dare devil-like. And then there’s the Demolition, consisting of 20 or so cars, repeatedly crashing into each other — mostly while driving in reverse, to salvage their engines — so that in the end, the raceway looks like an automobile grave yard full of car scraps leaving one winner with maybe just his steering wheel in his hand along with a few sheets of car parts. Mind you — I can admit to being a thrill-seeker of sorts, however, I’m the farthest from being a person interested in destruction. However that translates — I found this entire experience surprisingly thrilling, mind-blowing, and entirely exhilarating.

Midway though the night, while totally immersed in the ferocious intensity, I noticed a few people in the crowd turning toward me sending me quirky smiles – sort of in disbelief. And it then dawned on me — I was screaming at the top of my lungs the whole time. What happened was, I felt like I was driving the car. Especially during the 50 lap races when the driver is blasting on the straight away and then taking the turn, squeezing out his opponents hugging the bend so as not to loose position…driving that race at 90 mph, I was edging out my opponent. I was that dare devil — all while sitting in the bleachers. It was so outrageously exciting; all I could do was scream.

Behind us sat a group of what must have been fifteen 8-year old boys celebrating one young fella’s birthday. These boys could not have been more beautiful or more charged up – all cheering for their chosen driver to win, screaming {along with me}, totally engaged, in the present, in rapture, in total flow. We were all loving every second.

Now I’m back in the city and the raceway is a memory. Other than looking forward to my next NASCAR event, my takeaway from this unique experience is first, the proof that through our own personal development, which often results from what’s garnered from elements of challenge, pain, and suffering, there are new vistas and new adventures with opportunities to meet new and inspiring people — like my friend who introduced me to auto racing. And further, the willingness to experience new adventures can allow us to ignite our deep-rooted passions and in illuminating fashion, trigger them to be fully expressed through an experience that we may have never considered before that moment.

Stay open to the possibilities. Exhilarating = Fun, if even from the bleachers.

What wildly improbable activity can you plan, to create a powerful surge of inner exhilaration — one that taps into your true passions?

I highly recommend heading “off to the races”!

Comments are welcome, as always . . .

The post I knew jack about NASCAR . . . appeared first on A Zestful Life with Nancy Sherr.

She was born Lucille Desiree Ball on August 6, 1911 in Jamestown, New York.

When you reflect on the life of Lucy, what comes to mind?

The zany, comedic actress who starred in our beloved hit series “I Love Lucy”, still syndicated in more than 80 countries. Lucy was legendary in so many ways, not unlike many talented people who struggled early in their careers, steadfast in allegiance to following their dreams.

After leaving high school at age 15, intent on becoming an actress, Lucy tried unsuccessfully to get into drama school in New York City. Resolute, she waitressed while auditioning for modeling jobs and chorus lines of Broadway Shows. She was finally chosen to be the poster model for Chesterfield Cigarettes in 1933 which got her initial national exposure and won the attention of Hollywood.

After starting at the bottom in Hollywood with bit parts in low budget films, her initial success led to increasingly bigger parts and ultimately created her pathway to appearing in over 60 films by the late 1940′s. Her performance in the musical “Too Many Girls” in 1940 with the popular Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz, served as the birthplace of their 20-year marriage, and the creation of “Desilu”. The rest is history.

The question becomes, famous or otherwise remarkable, what compels us grow and become fully-expressed in a way that’s consistent with our true self?  

What might we gather from the intense power of the human spirit? Are you considering the substance of your vitality that’s fighting to be recognized and unleashed into the world?

When you love life, when you love what you’re doing, you bring a different self to it. You bring your authentic self. So, yes — ask the question: Where is your true self?

Effective leaders have the courage to fall in love with what they can do. The same goes for leading your life, the way you bring people toward yourself, and the way you choose the people with whom you surround yourself. And further, when resolved in oneself, we’re naturally able to connect with the best in another person.

The wisdom of living full-out and authentically sits patiently waiting to be recognized; well-disguised by who we’ve become to satisfy others. Relax into it. Select the lens through which to see.

Do you really need to solicit permission from others in order to live fully-expressed?

You have to be able to look at the person in the mirror and feel good about who’s looking back at you.

It remains your choice.

“It’s a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy.”   -Lucille Ball

Check in with me to learn how coaching can squash regrets and create a fully-expressed life!

And, as always — your comments are welcome.

The post Creating a Life With No Regrets appeared first on A Zestful Life with Nancy Sherr.

In the real world, yeah — we know life is not all lollipops and crème puffs, but c’mon, we still want to be happy.

My dear friend Peter, recently said to me, “Nancy, I’m a bit concerned about you. You know, the pendulum swings from side-to-side in life, and so goes our inner feelings along with it. Seems you continually have this {insanely altruistic} optimistic view in spite of those natural life swings. Are you allowing yourself to experience being woeful or glum from time-to-time? Because you know, that’s life and — it’s reeeealy okay if you do!”

My response: “Peter, when I need to assume the fetal position, and wail — I do. Ohhh, yeah, I do. But honestly, I’ve arrived at a place where I’d rather just choose gratitude. And it’s astonishing how magically effective that virtue is when put in the forefront.”

It dawned on me at that moment: I’ve retrained my brain to place gratitude on top — as much as I can — and my life has seriously gotten a lot more rosy as a result. And when A Wham rocks my world from time to time, I’m more resilient, and spend less of my valuable time, wailing.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life and turns what we have into enough, and more.

Here’s three positivity boosters . . . and they work!

1. Keep a gratitude top of mind. Make it a priority. Gratitude needs to be cultivated, so get to it. “Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy.” –Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

2. Want a wholehearted life, and go after it with vengeance. Without wanting, we stagnate. Wanting fires up the perseverance that powers us to take the next step. Wanting fires up our imagination. Wanting fires up our life. 

3. Think more highly of yourself. Big Life Change events create the opportunity to paint a clean white canvas. You are an original. And actually — a masterpiece! In truth, we are all an incomplete canvas. Each day we complete a little more of the picture. Not loving it so far? Don’t worry; you’ve still got plenty of white canvas and a gorgeous collection of paint. Start making it better. Think better. Treat your body better. Love better. And you will be better.

So, be grateful, want wholeheartedness, and remember —  you are a masterpiece with lots more artistry ahead!

Download The Mindset Manifestos for an added Zestful Boost.

And, in case you’ve missed my recent articles I wrote for The Huffington Post this past month . . . enjoy them here and please post comments!

Midlife Women After the Wham Through the darkness of personal collapse I slowly evolved, finally realizing that softening into gratitude beats the vulnerability of grief to the punch. And ultimately, {I found} gratitude to the firm for showing me the door, offering me the gateway to the best chapter of my life. Once I got up off the floor and the shock subsided, and I finally stopped feeling like a victimized, washed-up old troll, I realized they gave me the gift of liberation: the golden opportunity to create a life I love. A life fully expressed. Full story

Get Your Flow-jo On! When was the last time you immersed yourself in an activity and completely lost track of time? Your whole being immersed, your emotions energized, firing on all cylinders, aligned solely in deep focus on one activity, exclusively? In the zone, on a roll, in the groove, wired in, on fire, in the moment, in tune — experiencing total engagement with absolute concentration? Full story

Mommy’s Courage, Chaos & Climax of College Admissions We must acknowledge the results of creating our total identity around our kids. They grow up. And they fly. And all we want is to witness their health and equipped independence. Nevertheless, we stand bewildered over the fast passage of time. Full story

Women, Divorce & Keys to the Aftermath A marriage is a tremendous investment of oneself, and — barring extenuating circumstances — a great accomplishment whether the outcome is lasting or not. I view marriage as an offering of tremendous personal growth. The agony of the demise stands as a testament to the depth of the investment made. We marry with the best of intentions, and then things shift. Full story

The post The Pendulum Swings appeared first on A Zestful Life with Nancy Sherr.

We feel the laissez-faire of summer squeezed away as September emerges. While we appreciate the vibrance of the seasons, there is a sense of change that illuminates this time of year with undertones of a simmering intensity.

Perhaps it’s the back-to-school vibe that’s been ingrained in us from our youth, coupled with daylight lessening slowly but noticeably, little-by-little. We attempt to look for the opportunities to create productivity in this new season, all with the best of intentions. But yes, life is hectic. And time continues to fly.

How do we find the moments to take pause, to remember what’s central to our well-being?

I’m not a fan of seasonal resolutions per-se, however, as we shift gears into fall let’s choose to take that opportunity to re-shape our personal motivations and explore new vistas vs. being passive, and leaning towards the default of familiarity. We’re often drawn to what is familiar – because it is familiar. It’s easy to become firmly entrenched in our comfort zone. However, we run the risk of perhaps becoming just a little too comfortable? Complacent perhaps?

What’s a productive addition to your days that would add a meaningful slice of positivity?

What can you immerse yourself in to displace annoying distractions or sufferings, and boost valuable energy and unconquerable optimism?

Are you ready to radiate and Get Your Flow-jo On?

Examine your current routine. Engaging in a meaningful practice allows your brain to minimize focus on ALL the details of your life en masse, and instead create the space to focus more intently on an activity that will move you forward. Also, a routine activity issues a safe signal to the part of your brain which is constantly scanning the environment for distractions. Minimizing distractions is a giant step to the positive!

Immersing yourself in a challenging, engaging activity is a great way to loose track of time, and experience deep enjoyment — even rapture.

So, when is the last time you had a really honest conversation with yourself? Have you seen the movie The Legend of Bagger Vance? In that film, Vance talks about golf as being one of the most difficult sports to play, not because it requires intense physical activity but because it requires radical honesty – the kind that can be challenging to practice.

Bottom line: it’s easy to rob yourself of your full potential by not admitting to what’s radically true for you, and failing to taking action. To move the ball a little to the left and not count the extra stroke. To rationalize away the missed workout, or the opportunity to take on a risk that may prove to widen your business reach. Or to fail to nurture and protect a valued relationship, or simply looking away from gratitude.

As summer winds down, what do you look forward to in this new season? What’s one routine, one meaningful practice you might put into play to jump-start your positivity barometer and boost your well-being?

You know what I’m talking about . . .

Get deliberate. Get inspired. Get going. 

The post Motivation + a kick in the pants appeared first on A Zestful Life with Nancy Sherr.

Did you know that people who are hopeful are able to withstand twice as much pain for twice as long? It’s true, although life is not {necessarily} a contest in pain endurance. It’s more a signal that hope and resiliency position us to better withstand the challenge of change.

Change affords us the opportunity to clear the decks, and to flourish – despite adversity. Along that journey, we can note Steve Jobs‘ words of wisdom at the Stanford 2005 commencement, “Don’t waste time living someone else’s life.” Well said, with the understanding that the challenge of human fulfillment — wholehearted living — can be daunting at times. There are always, however, fresh perspectives, creative solutions, and the power of camaraderie to clear the path to create a blossoming life.

Stephen McGhee, legendary business leadership coach, consultant, author, and documentary filmmaker gave me what I consider to be the most sage advice. Acknowledging the challenges of moving through life changes, he said: “You can cut the tail of the tiger off an inch at a time, or just cut the darn thing off at the butt and get through it.” That’s applicable to so many life challenges. We tend to allow painful change to drag on in infamy and consequently – we swirl in perpetual agony. I’ve been there — you? So, make the decision. Expedite whenever possible. Rip off the band-aid. Fast. And focus forward. 

A few more principles I’ve discovered:

Byron Katie, founder of The Work says: “When we argue with reality, we loose 100% of the time”. So, accept what has happened as a reality. Find gratitude for the blessings that are intertwined in every situation. And commit to moving forward. Denial is dangerous.

Authenticity is the only way to fly. Putting the truth out there is empowering and we know intuitively, it’s the best way to achieve results.

Gifts of support and helping others in need, nourishes the soul, and feels really good. Martin Seligman notes in his book Flourish, “scientists have found that doing a kindness produces the single most reliable momentary increase in well-being of any exercise we have tested.” So, do a kindness. And smile when you’re doing it. It feels great!

Ask for help. People love to be asked for help – it makes them feel valued. And, it’s amazing what a fresh perspective can lend to a challenge. Or even a thoughtful question, to raise an eyebrow to a new view.

Be a turner of stones and never give up on creating a better life, one that’s true to you. I invite you to let that be your mantra as you etch your passions and {re}create your zestful life.

So yes, life is known to pack a punch.

There is no reason we can’t be creative and strong in our response to that punch.

Put on your rally cap.

Make life better.

Better is always available to us.

Let’s rest in that.

I’m overflowing with gratitude to all of you for extending such a warm (and zestful!) welcome to our new online home. My creative genius, Amanda and I designed this online space with the intent to invite you all to this loving, comfy living room, with high ceilings, and open hearts, to match real challenges with real solutions, to inspire and to motivate, and to ignite each other to being radiant. To be our best selves. To be zestful!  

Thank you for being here!

Lots more to come . . .

P.S. Along the lines of today’s post, please download the complimentary Mindset Manifestos and feel free to share it.  Comments are welcome!

And, I invite your comments here on your inspirations, perceptions and your views on Big. Life. Change.  Say more . . . what’s on your mind?

The post Hope . . . And Then Face Forward! appeared first on A Zestful Life with Nancy Sherr.