It's healthy to focus on spreading happiness and light in the world. There is enough negativity floating around without our help. Here are 10 things that can help to re-focus the energy when we find ourselves getting caught up in worldly drama:

1. Compliment strangers.

2. Tip generously when eating out.

3. Smile.

4. Share triumphs in public forums and feel the joy when others share theirs (no room for jealousy here).

5. Keep eyes open while going about the daily routine and help others when they need it. Just holding the door for someone who has their hands full can really brighten up their day.

6. Give hugs.

7. Be aware of moments when the ego wants to speak or act, and search instead for the compassionate path.

8. Share beautiful pictures with others. We could all use more beauty in our lives.

9. Share jokes. Make people laugh. Humor makes the heart lighter and laughter is healing.

10. Take walks outside, especially with those you love, and in the woods when possible.

11. (Bonus). Sing!

Yesterday was my first day back in the office after a two-month sabbatical to work on my dissertation. It felt good to be working one-on-one with people again! This morning, I am reflecting on my work and how it is often necessary to work in steps rather than to tackle every single issue in my first meeting with someone.

Sometimes people are not ready to hear the whole truth, and force-feeding it to them will set them back on their path. A huge part of my Ayurvedic work is discernment. I have to see the big picture of where someone needs to go in order to heal and then help them get there, often without their realizing that it was our work together that created all of the changes. Where there is resistance, I plant the seeds and patiently wait. When someone comes into their follow-up visits and tells me that they have begun doing something on their own that I had planned to unfold during our work together, it confirms that we are on the right track. Most people get to the places I envision for them, and when they do it always creates healing. Quite often, it brings major realizations and spiritual development. The important thing is to remember that my ego has to stay out of the process. It is not my place to force people into realizations or practices that they are not ready to embrace. I am just the conduit and the facilitator.