Welcome to another issue of Natural Awakenings Tampa Bay. This month’s magazine is filled with plenty of eye opening material, with a focus on natural ways to boost mental and emotional health, as shared by physicians, scientists and other notable experts in the field.

"A Brain-Building Blueprint" (page 26) offers helpful tips on staying mind-young and memory-sharp -- from understanding natural processes involved in memory decline to smart steps to take to nurture and maintain the brain. Memory loss happens, but there are things we can do to make things, naturally, better.

I really enjoyed reading our Healing Ways feature this month (page 32). "How Can We All Get Along?" considers the benefits that can come of resolving as much conflict in our lives as possible, as soon as possible. I’m guessing most folks come across situations that seem just plain impossible to deal with. But, as a look at this article reveals, stubbornly addressing (or not addressing) such circumstance as irresolvable can have undesirable results. In this article, writer Lisa Shumate examines some negatives that can come of such denial and lays out suggestions for resolving conflict – both one-to-one and as a community. It’s a nice slant on making peace with self and others, and definitely worth a read.

Renowned life after death expert and author of the book Glimpses of Eternity, Raymond Moody, will be in the Tampa Bay area this month. He will be at Wings Bookstore, in St. Petersburg, Feb. 10-11, with a free talk and book signing of his newest book on Friday and a workshop on Saturday, from 10am to 4pm. This is a great opportunity to get the inside scoop from an expert in the field.

Have a happy month and enjoy life on our beautiful Gulf Coast.

As always, open your mind and read on.