“Life is beautiful”…this is Curated Art & Living’s tag line. Beauty is all around us, we just have to slow down enough to actually be aware of it. When I say beauty, I’m not just talking about physical things but also the way we live and approach life. So are you ready to learn 10 ways you can start living a more beautiful life? Come along!

1. Be Grateful
Your life is already filled with beauty, you just have to take notice of it more often. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and you will love your life more. Often times we’re just aware of the circumstances that are going wrong in our lives, thinking that that’s all there is. Focusing on the things that are going right in your life will help you realize that it is not all bad, there are a lot of good things, even great things. Gratitude gives rise to positivity. Positivity doesn’t mean you have to be happy all the time. It means that you know better days are coming even when you are going through hard times. Being grateful and positive actually changes your thoughts, which alter your behavior, then habits, values and ultimately the direction in life. When you change on the inside, things change around you as well.

2. Get to Know Yourself
What does a beautiful life look like to you? It is different for everyone. The key to knowing the answer to this question is to get to know who you really are and not what others expect of you. What is important to you? What do you want out of life and what lights you up? Once you figure this out you’ll have clarity and certainty about yourself, your life, and where you’re headed. Then start taking steps to realize your beautiful life.

3. Love Yourself
We hear this all the time but it is not easy for us to do. Love who you really are. How? Be authentic and don’t apologize for being you. Do what you love, be compassionate with yourself, redefine failures, adjust your expectations, be flexible and embrace the growth process. Treat yourself with kindness and take care of yourself emotionally and physically. You matter and are worth it. As an individual you have ideas, experiences and dreams that no one else has. Release all doubts and insecurities about yourself because, you my friend, are capable of amazing things.

4. Love Others
Smile! One of the most best things in life is a simple smile. It is the most beautiful gift you could give someone. It is an outwardly display of the beauty we possess inside of us so share that. When we acknowledge the beauty in another person and tell them, it could be something that can stay with them for a lifetime. Be of service to others. Share life lessons, share your time, and make strengthening relationships a priority. Having others in our lives makes life beautiful. N.B. The sign of a beautiful person is that they always see beauty in others.

5. Forgive
Forgiveness is hard to do at times but so worth it. It takes such a load off of you and is so freeing. Freedom is beautiful and this is why we should not get burden down with the weight of unforgivness. Forgiveness is not for others but for you. It frees up your power, heals your body, mind and spirit and offers you peace.

“When you hold resentment towards another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free” Katherine Ponder.

This also includes forgiving yourself. “Love is an act of endless forgiveness. Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me. Forgiveness is the final act of love”. Reinhold Niebuhr.

When someone wrongs you, don’t forget all the things they have done right.

6. Live in the Moment
Often we are too busy looking at our past or looking to the future, that we forget to live in the here and now. Being present is another way to take notice of the beauty that is found in the everyday. Slow down and focus on one thing at a time. Let go of control and go with the flow. Taking time to notice your environment as you go through your day will help you appreciate the beauty in the mundaen.

“It is only when there is no goal and no rush that the human senses are fully open to receive the world”. Alan Watts

“Live quietly in the moment and see the beauty of all before you. The future will take care of itself…” Paramahansa Yogananda

7. Relax
Find time to be still. Pray, meditate and relax. Life is hectic and we need to deliberately slow down and collect ourselves, and reset.

“Stillness is not about focusing on nothingness; it’s about creating an emotional clearing to allow ourselves to feel, think, dream and question”. Brene Brown.

Life is more beautiful when you are in a good place spiritually and mentally. Make a conscious effort to reduce stress in your life and remember to take deep breaths.

8. Get out in Nature
Going for a walk outside is a great reset. Changing scenery can change your perspective on life. Engaging your senses makes you feel more alive and what better way to do it than by connection with nature. Feel the sun on your skin, feel the breeze in your hair and smell the roses. The effects of being outside doesn’t only feel good it has an effect on the chemicals produced by the brain. Serotonin, endorphin, dopamine and oxytocin are all feel good brain chemicals produced when we are outside doing what we love. It all works together to rewire your brain into being more positive.

9. Less Processed Foods
We when you feel better you can appreciate more. Eating good wholesome food helps you to feel your best and to look better. It doesn’t hurt that natural food is colorful and vibrant. Processed foods are filled with lots of chemicals that our body doesn’t recognize. Over time it can lead to disease and in the short term can just make us feel blah. Sure, it does take more time to cook with unprocessed foods, but it helps you slow down and lets you tap into your creativity. How good does it feel to make a meal from scratch?

10. Surround Yourself with Beauty
Last but not least, consciously surround yourself with the beautiful things that make you happy. Does it make you smile? Have it near you. It’s so important to readily see or engage with items that remind you that life is good. People, food, music, art, nature… the list is endless.

There you have it, 10 ways to make your life more beautiful. Leading a life that is truly beautiful is completely based on your perspective and how you view life. As you can see there are many things that can change your perspective for better or worse. I say we focus our energies on learning ways to steer our thoughts and actions in the direction of better. What you consider beautiful is unique to you. Nobody can dictate that for you. So I think instead of asking how to live a beautiful life, we ask “what is already beautiful in my life”?