Create your own sunshine

I am a sun lover. Though I do not spend hours laying on the beach or by the pool, I take every opportunity possible to be outside. I love feeling the steady, golden warmth from above, especially when it is mixed with a light breeze. Add in a few trees and I'm in heaven.

Generally at least once or twice a day I will go for a walk around my neighborhood or wherever I happen to be. Usually, 3 -4 times a week I'll add in a run - or a bike ride.

On a walk in Columbia, SC

Unfortunately, the inevitable cold, cloudy or rainy day will arrive. Today is one of those days - and I am really missing the light!

Luckily, I've learned other ways to add "sunshine" and light into my day. Though none of them are very difficult to do, they can be easy to skip or forget. A few quick ones:

• Affirm the state of mind I want to create by writing down and saying positive statements I want to embody. Example "Everything is always working out for me."

• Sing or dance along with my favorite upbeat playlist. Check it out on Spotify!

• Focus on the good stuff in my life by writing down things I am really grateful for. Click here to grab my Gratitude Journal: 60 Days of Reflection and Appreciation.

As a massage therapist, wellness professional and coach, particularly one other people seek out to help them feel better, I've also learned to keep my language and suggestions positive and expansive. I want to speak the highest and best version of the future into existence. Plus, it sounds so much better than complaining and generally makes everyone feel better than dwelling on the negative would.

As an artist, I also try to create pieces that make me feel happy and add light to my life. Lately this has involved a very unexpected decision to paint some of my art on mannequins. It's been fun and a little surprising, to see how each one reveals it's personality to me.

With the rainy weather this week, it's no surprise that the sun is also emerging in my art. Take a look at Ravi. His name means "sun" or "sun god" in Sanskrit and is associated with light, energy and warmth. Just what I need right now!

Like me, Ravi is a work in progress. Beneath his obviousl ight, there is a little darkness we are working to brighten up. Still I wanted to share his warmth just in case you needed some too.