TODAY

Balancing the weight of the world with the need to stay focused on your own life can be challenging. It requires a firm commitment to look up and look forward so that you don't get dragged down by all the rage, jealousy and anger out there, says NBC special anchor Maria Shriver.

“Noise is everywhere, I know. But the truth is, you don’t have to be in the noise to be ‘in the know.’ You can rise above it, but it has to be a choice that you make each and every day,” she advises.

To stay on the right path, Shriver writes down the values she wants to bring forward in her life and she starts each morning by reading her list out loud. It helps her begin each day from a place of focus, intention and calm.

Follow the link to see the list she reads to herself every morning.

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Even when we know people’s names, why do we go for days without using them? By using someone’s name, you help them feel seen and acknowledged — and that’s an act of kindness. According to kindness.org’s research in collaboration with the University of Oxford, doing a kind act increases happiness, well-being, trust and compassion. And it can have the same powerful effect on those who receive the act. Try it, and put a smile on both your faces.

Everyone has their own nighttime rituals, but have you ever thought of trying an aromatherapy spray on your pillows and sheets? One TODAY writer swears by a lavender and chamomile spray for pillows and sheets. “After using the lavender mist every night for about a month now, I’m fully addicted,” Taylor Davies wrote.

To “activate” the aromatherapy, try to take a couple of deep breaths through your nose to really appreciate the scent. The sprays help to set a relaxing and mellow tone for your evening routine. Check out some options and give it a try!