As September begins,  vacations end, kids head back to school, and we start easing back into our “normal routines.”Let’s take them up a notch, shall we? Even incremental improvements in our day-to-day habits can have a large impact on us and our families. 

I’ve found that if you amp it up even slightly in one area of your life,  whether it be in your relationships, health, home, or work, the benefits spread to other areas.  I’ve recently added a weekly session with a personal trainer and an extra yoga class. Not only has my fitness level improved, but I alsosee a difference in my state of mind and confidencethat extends into my business and personal interactions.

Most of us know where we could make small improvements. If you need inspiration or assistance, there are abundant resources. In addition to reading the motivating articles in this month’s issue, you might choose to attend one of the many health, wellness, and spiritual events being held throughout the area this month and next. 

Wherever you live, you are sure to find one that is interesting and convenient to you: the Outdoor Living & Wellness Festival will debut in Verona on September 14;the Divinely Designed Day Retreat occurs on September 21 at the Place of Peace in Newton; WELLNESS:MO-TOWN! will be heldin Morristown on October 5;in Fort Lee, also on October 5, you’ll find the Awaken Wellness Fair;  Wellness in the Park happens on October 12 at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield; and The Holistic Moms Natural Living Conference will be held on October 25 at Montclair State University in Montclair. For more information on any of these events, see their respective ads in the magazine. And don’t forget to check our Calendar of Events for even more exciting options to make the months ahead healthier and more joyful.

Looking for a late winter vacation? Consider the Holistic Holiday at Sea, a seven-night vegan cruise that leaves from Miami and then visits Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Cozumel in Mexico and the Bahamas. Chosen by National Geographic Traveler as “one of the 100 best worldwide vacations to enrich your life,” the cruise features yoga, meditation, and Qi Gong, as well as lectures and workshops by world-renowned vegan chefs, teachers and healers. For more information, see the ad on page 49.

I only wish I could take advantage of all these fabulous events!

Wishing you the best of love and life,