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whole life fitness

expect to find some goodness there. Why can’t adults exude this type of positivity more often?

Studies have shown that when we are highly focused on one thing, we often miss out on noticing the unexpected. At times this selectiv-ity prevents us from seeing some of the most wondrous sights right under our noses: the vibrant yellow hues of a daffodil; the fiery reds of a rose bush in bloom; the baby duck in tow behind its mother and siblings; or simply the grass blades bending in the wind. These are all little miracles in and of themselves. What if we could focus on seeing the positive in others and in the world around us? How would that affect our lives?

Take The Invisible Gorilla, a book based on the work of researchers Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons. They found that when people focus so hard on some-thing, they become blind to everything else, including the most unexpected—even when it’s right in front of their eyes! This phenomenon is called “intentional blind-ness,” and once developed, it becomes easy for a person to miss out on little details. In truth, I think that many of us fail to take notice of life’s amazing landscapes because we are too focused on the ground beneath our feet, or at times, the devices glued to our hands. It’s time to lift our heads and take it all in.

Finances

Financial stability is a cornerstone of any happy life. Whether you have a little or a lot of money, living within your means gives you security and peace of mind. For most of us, buying the things we want as soon as we want them brings short-term satisfac-tion, but living above our means puts a lot of strain on our lives. When you’re buried under debt, you’re carrying a load that relentlessly weighs on you both physically and psychologically. How can anyone relax and be happy when one of the walls of their house is crumbling? It’s impossible!

Paying attention to your finances, and being realistic about what you really need to spend money on are two ways to be financially fit.

Ask yourself how you want to live when you reach retirement. Would you like to travel around the world? Spend the summers golfing in Australia and the winters skiing in the Swiss Alps? The range of options available to you will vary based on your

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change” —Albert Einstein