I want my daughter to be comfortable in her skin and not obsessed with harmful ideas about how girls “should” look. This got me thinking: what are some of the ways we can let our inner Goddesses shine through and show our beauty without always being at the mercy of self-critical thoughts of our imperfections? Here are some things that work for me:

#1: Keeping a Balance

When you’re stressed, you’re the complete opposite of graceful and goddess-like. Focus on maintaining a balance in your life by avoiding taking on too many assignments, tasks or duties that get you on the run—and keep you there. Avoid last minute chaos by following a planned schedule that includes enough sleep, time for yourself and your family, opportunities to meditate and enjoy nature and good food and exercise.

#2: Practicing Mindfulness
Focus on the here and now, not the future or the past. The only time you really have is right now, so make a point to experience it to the fullest. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, really feel the earth beneath your feet. Savor the sensation of the wind in your hair, the sounds of nature around you, the warmth of the sun and the joy that watching your children brings. Forget (just for a minute) about having to start cooking dinner, the work that’s waiting on your desk and the chores that are lined up to be done. Be mindful, right here, right now.

#3: Being Happy

Contentment and keeping your spirits up is crucial to your daily wellbeing, particularly if you live a hectic lifestyle or maintain a crazy pace. Give yourself permission to be happy. Let go of the past and the problems that plague you by addressing them one by one and then releasing them to the Universe. Be grateful for everything that’s good in your life. Indulge your passions in a limited fashion—that odd bar of chocolate won’t really do harm to your health, and relaxing with a sundowner after a long day will help to release the endorphins you need to calm your spirit.

#4: Smiling – a Lot!

Smiling is therapeutic, not just for those around but for you, too. It’s a daily “mini-workout” for your facial muscles, for one thing, which helps to keep them supple for when you’re older. It inspires others, and reveals the aura of happiness and grace that shows your inner goddess to the world. And the response you get will inspire you, too. Everyone loves getting a smile, and 90% of the time their instinctive reaction is to smile right back. That raises your spirits and improves your day, too.

#5: Trusting Your Impulses – Most of the Time

Learn to recognize the impulses that come from the desire to show love or kindness to others, and trust them enough to act on them. Likewise, learn to recognize the ones that stem from ego, or the desire to promote yourself, to be seen as better than someone else or to win a point over your colleague. If you can trust those enough to learn NOT to act on them, you’ll have achieved a real victory for your inner goddess.