The first image that comes to mind when I think about the phrase “lift your spirits” is one of traveling above Vermont’s landscape in a hot air balloon. Though I have not yet found the wherewithal to make this visualization a reality, I believe I have garnered the feelings of exhilaration and wonder that come with such travel thanks to my many trips to experience the IMAX documentary To Fly! at the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum.
How might you illustrate and share an image representing the lifting of your spirits? The possibilities are infinite as we are each blessed with unique thoughts and feelings. Sharon Salzberg, meditation practitioner and author of the book Real Love suggests that our well-being is enriched when 
we regularly incorporate loving kindness meditations about others as well as about ourselves into our lives.
What about something you have read, heard or observed recently that has lifted your spirits? Here is some staggering information that recently crossed my path, filled my heart with hope and makes me want to shout it out to the masses. According to the World Bank, more than a billion people have been lifted out of poverty in the past decade. Every day over 300,000 individuals get electricity for the first time and over 250,000 people get access to clean water. And for the first time in our world’s history, the percentage of individuals who are suffering has been significantly reduced. Wow! That is amazing.
Perhaps you are traveling to a new culture or learning a new language and doing so is lifting your spirits? Or perhaps you have invited guests from afar into your home this fair summer to partake of all New England has to offer. Then again, maybe what’s lifting you up is riding an elevator to the top of a skyscraper, slowly climbing up the tracks on a roller coaster or 
hiking to the top of a new mountainous peak? Whatever it may be, we look forward to seeing and learning more.
Oh and one more piece of news that is most definitely lifting our spirits. We have a brand new employee joining the VEHI PATH wellness team today. Please welcome Ashley as she begins her new journey with us and with all of you. Stay tuned.
See you on the PATH Ahead.
Shevonne, Gillian, Amy, Ashley and Larae