I'm sure if you are like most who read this you'd have read a few of the Express Learning articles that were published up to now.

If you haven't, well, what you are about to read can help you enliven your life starting from today - so keep reading. As you move forward enjoying the journey of express learning stop often and build magnificent goals. Think big thoughts about your studies, exams, jobs, business and other interests. Dream great dreams. Set splendid goals. Think about marvellous things you will do in the future. Explore different philosophies. Study the current affairs. Choose an on going problem in your community and work to create solutions for them. Share ideas with those having similar thoughts as yours. If you are in business, think of its progress - devise ways to enhance its prosperity. To put it simply - "think big thoughts".

Dr. Priyanga de Zoysa

Great! So what else should you do to make life more effective while thinking "big thoughts?" While living with these big thoughts stop occasionally and "appreciate the small things in life". Appreciate the small events, the small moments, the little happenings, the tiny joys which you in general consider insignificant.

Simply look around and appreciate the beauty of the environment around you. Look at the evening sky, notice the clouds and look beyond them into the distant sky. Look at the sky at night and witness the wonder of the moon and the stars. Experience the bliss of gazing at the night sky. Look at the trees around you and notice their colour, the shapes and see how free they are.

Look at the birds flying and observe the beauty around you. Notice how lively nature is. Walk barefoot on grass or sand, and allow the wind to touch your body. Go to a river, sea, lake, stream or any place with water. Touch the water, listen to the rhythm of flowing water, the birds and the wind blowing. Notice the beauty of flowers, the buildings, and kind people on either side of the road as you travel daily.

Look at the wall hangings in your classroom, school, office and home. Appreciate the craftsmanship of the furniture. Notice the people around you and the good in them. Look for the happiness, the smile and the joy in them. Look at children and notice how happy they are. Appreciate the wonder of childhood, how joyful they are and the different things kids do when alone.

Enjoy every moment of meeting a person. Let go of the shortcomings and notice the goodness in the person you meet. Be pleasant - smile from the bottom of your heart and enjoy yourself. Appreciate every joyful moment at home and at work. Think of all the good things in this world and talk about them as much as possible.

All joyful sensations you receive through your eyes, nose, ears, tongue, skin and mind nourish you, energize you, calm your mind, motivate you to search, work and learn.

Intelligent people think big thoughts and also appreciate the small pleasures of life. You are able to do this now. It only requires a slight shift in your awareness. As you begin to live like this, more energy from the environment will begin to flow through you. Laziness will disappear, motivation to achieve goals will increase, and your life would begin to blossom.

What you just read may seem simple - and it indeed is extremely simple but it is also powerful. Spend a few moments allowing what you read to seep in and open a new chapter to a better life.

Boundless Blessings

Dr. Priyanga de Zoysa, Best-selling author and Self Improvement Teacher. www.PriyangadeZoysa.com