“Happiness is a perception, meaning if you concentrate on it you can have it.” -Pharrell Williams
February in New York is sometimes beautiful, with snow-lit boardwalks, frozen ponds and a crystal mist 
covering lawns. Yet, more often than not, it’s like my view this morning: wet, gray and dreary. At least that’s how my mind is interpreting what my eyes are seeing. Perception is reality, or so I’m told. So, then the ultimate goal is changing one’s perception.
Certainly, there are methods to do this, like journaling, utilizing vision boards, positive thinking, practicing the law of attraction, and meditating and engaging in other mindfulness activities. But the problem is these things take time — the one thing I don’t have much of. I have been doing all of these practices, albeit intermittently. You see, I’m a bit of a commitment-phobe. I will journal for a few weeks, only to put my journal down due to lack of time, or I will meditate twice a day for a few weeks, then once a day, then … well, does today count — count as the first time in the last month?
I know I desire certain things and believe in manifesting them. But let’s get real, manifesting doesn’t work in a vacuum; we need to put the work in to achieve what we want, like good health, strong relationships and a successful business. The work to attain all of this often takes all of my time, and then out the window goes my yoga and journaling. And my “monkey mind” becomes so busy with “monkey chatter” —thoughts and to-do lists, which prevent me from being present — that when I wake up, my view is of a gray, dismal day. These are my personal struggles with being present and mindful; I imagine others share similar ones.
This month’s beautiful Natural Awakenings Long Island issue features such topics as love, conscious dying and kindness, as well as a new tool in the never-ending goal of living a conscious, mindful life: MindPT. Recognizing that a crucial part of creating the life we desire is to effectively work with our mind to develop our thoughts and beliefs, Natural Awakenings has partnered with MindPT, a new, cutting-edge technology that blends positive psychology with neuroscience. This fun and engaging platform helps users build and reinforce positive mental messaging, which helps transform thoughts, beliefs and lives. Practicing MindPT for just three minutes a day can change the way a person’s life proceeds each day.
Bringing you this magazine each month — which aims to help us feel good, live simply and laugh more — makes me so excited and proud. However, this month, I’m extra excited because in addition to all the wonderful content, I’m offering you the opportunity to experience the many benefits of using MindPT by providing a free video session, titled NATURAL AWAKENINGS. Go directly to this URL: MindPT.com/NATURALAWAKENINGSFreeGift?source=5754 and when prompted, enter code NALI (for Natural Awakenings Long Island).
Malama Pono!
Kelly Martinsen, Publisher
Kelly Martinsen’s book, A Year of Inspired Living, is available on Amazon.com. Preorder for $7.80 and plan your 2018 as the most inspired year yet.
