Inspired to succeed: the best approach to achieving your goals? Try tapping into the things that move you - Director's Letter

What moves you--not physically, but emotionally, spiritually? What inspires you? For me, it's the artistry of classical musicians like Vivaldi and my contemporary favorite, Andrea Bocelli. Bocelli's Sacred Arias fills my soul, as does spiritual musician Deva Premal's Embrace. I also love visual art: van Gogh's "The Starry Night" and "Irises," Monet's "Haystacks" and Matisse's many cutouts, which reveal his indefatigable spirit, having emerged as his chosen art form when he could no longer paint. I regularly squeeze in museum visits, even if I have only 30 minutes--enough to take in one new exhibit. I'm also moved by bold colors and the play of light; when I hike on weekends near my home in Los Angeles' Santa Monica Mountains, the early morning backlight appears to set the bright yellow of the hillside's wild mustard blooms afire. I'm grateful that many things in life inspire me.

Make it a priority to get inspired early in the day. This can be a critical way to meet your fitness goals and, most important, love your life more. When you're inspired, you have more energy to work toward your objectives in the many areas of your life, to take the risks necessary for going beyond "good," to really reach for your dreams and work with abandon toward excellence.

Research indicates that when you have more energy, you're more likely to exercise. Also, when you feel good about yourself and your life, you may find it easier to be true to your commitment to eat well and live more healthfully. Feeling good about one aspect of your life can snowball and produce positive results in many areas, filling you with the confidence that anything is possible. Loving your life also is a powerful predictor of good health, according to Robert Ivker, D.O., former president of the American Holistic Medical Association.

So, your goal this month: Identify what inspires you. Maybe it's having fresh flowers in the house, seeing a sunrise or sunset, listening to uplifting music, playing with a child, reconnecting with an old friend. Whatever it is, resolve to seek out and find those things that move you on a daily basis. The payoffs will include having an easier time sticking to, and achieving, your fitness goals, not to mention simply loving your life more--which is perhaps the greatest goal of all.

My best to you,

Barbara Harris, Group Editorial Director

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