When we think of nourishment, we tend to think of only food. What about nourishing the rest of ourselves? While we all try to eat healthy, make the right choices and stay balanced, we can falter from time to time and find ourselves trying to get back on track. Many of us set New Year’s resolutions to this very ideal: “This year, I’m going to be healthier!”

As you set your resolution, I challenge you to look beyond your plate as nourishment goes far beyond what you put in your mouth. Food can be packed with nutrients that fuel and energize us, but so can other elements in our lives — our jobs, relationships, spiritual and emotional enrichment, physical activity, and what we read, watch and listen to. All of these things can either be superfoods, leaving us full, rich and ready for more, or junk foods, making us feel good in the moment but leaving us empty or depleted soon after.

Joy is a huge component of a nourished life. When you look at your life now, do you feel joy? Does your day-to-day schedule with lists and obligations make you feel happy? If the answer is no, you could easily surmise that your life is not fully nourished. However, if you flip that script to view obligatory acts as choices, you may begin to adopt a different perspective.

Just as we choose what we eat, we can choose nourishment from all of life’s offerings. We can choose to read books and publications that feed our souls and our minds, listen to podcasts about living a purposeful life, or watch documentaries on growing our own food to maximize the nutritional offerings on our table. When we shift our thinking to see opportunities instead of obligations, activities become more nourishing and less depleting.

Let me share some simple examples. When paying bills, be grateful for that which you are buying and your ability to pay. If you are a parent to young children, use every opportunity to connect with them. When making their lunch, have them make yours with little input. I guarantee joy will meet your heart when you open the lunch to whatever your child has prepared.

If you have aging parents, engage them in meaningful conversation about their childhood rather than only asking how they feel or if they took their meds. Try not to focus the conversation on whether they are doing what you think is best for them. You’ll be surprised what you both learn and may have a much more enjoyable time.

Looking deeper, are there areas in your life that may require action to change perspective? Perhaps a job or career change is in order, or a friendship has run its course. Maybe you need to deepen your education to further your career or seek professional guidance regarding a relationship. While these things may feel scary, they can also provide great nourishment as you make choices for the direction of your life. Much like choosing berries over pie for dessert, you are in control of what you put on your plate of life.

When your plate is full with nourishment, you awaken light and are ready to begin each day with excitement and anticipation. Believing you are worthy of such a life, and understanding where you may be lacking, is the first step to having a full plate with joy as the main dish.

Alison Mullins is a certified holistic life and health coach, yoga therapist, sound healer and founder of Coppermoon Rising. She can be reached at [email protected] or www.coppermoonrising.com.