When you live with rheumatoid arthritis, it's often the little things - things that many people take for granted - that can present big challenges on a daily basis. There are challenges that can exhaust you, frustrate you and prevent you from doing the things you want or need to do. You may be familiar with some of these challenges, but how familiar are you with the solutions?

Thus begins this month's article on HealthCentral.com. Click to read Life with RA: It's the Little Things and learn about some of the challenges I, and perhaps you, face on a regular basis. I don't stop at the challenges, though, I work on using them as opportunities to help make a difference for those who also face similar hurdles.

I end my Health Central article with a quote from Kim Weiss, the author of the beautiful little book, Sunrise, Sunset: 52 Weeks of Awe and Gratitude. The photographs and accompanying words of wisdom highlight the importance of stopping to revel in and give thanks for the beauty of nature, a powerful force that can do much to set the tone for the day, lift sagging spirits, assuage a sour outlook or end the day with a sigh of appreciation.

Little things, like that squeaky door hinge, pebbles in your shoes, a broken door switch or a crumpled carpet can grow into something nasty. Conversely, little things can accrue interest in your bank of good feelings to help provide you with increased resilience, or more bouncebackability.

Summary

Each photograph in Sunrise, Sunset is accompanied by a reflective passage - an affirmation, poem or inspirational quote - from some of the best known and loved inspirational leaders of our time including John Bradshaw, Candace Bushnell, Lisa Nichols, Jack Canfield, Marci Shimoff, Judith Orloff and many more.

Sunrise, Sunset is a compact gem of a gift book that brims with glorious colour photographs of different suns on different days, captured from the very same vantage point - the 14th floor terrace of Kim Weiss' South Florida home. This beautiful book may be small, but when you soak in the beauty of the images and words, the impact can be huge.

Author Information

Kim Weiss has been a book publicist, writer and author mentor for more than twenty years. You can witness her love of art and nature in Sunrise, Sunset: 52 Weeks of Awe and Gratitude, a book that began as a social media project and culminated in a source of inspiration.

The Stress Connection

Awe, gratitude and nature. A recipe, that when mixed with a heaping helping of heart, can be a powerful stress undresser.

Awe, otherwise known as a sense of wonder, can not only set the imagination soaring, but can also propel you forward into activities and opportunities that might otherwise be buried beneath a shroud of stress. If you're looking for inspiration and jaw-dropping awe, check out What Makes Olga Run. Now, borrow from the life pages of this nonagenarian Master's athlete who had earned over 750 medals.

Gratitude, when activated on a regular basis, has the power to transform your heart rhythms.

Nature, good for what ails you. Try some forest bathing, as the Japanese do, or sip from the splendours of a sunrise or sunset.

How to enter the giveaway:

Speaking of small things that have a big impact, here's your chance to enter a giveaway, thanks to the generosity of Kim Weiss and HCI Books.

1. This contest is open to anyone of legal age who has a mailing address in Canada or the US.
2. Contest closes at midnight PST on Friday, August 19th, 2016.
3. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment.
4. Earn another entry by subscribing to my mostly monthly newsletter.
5. For extra entries to the giveaway, let's get social:

• On Twitter? Share the following: Enter this #giveaway from @AuntieStress for Sunrise, Sunset: 52 Weeks of Awe and #Gratitude from @HCI_Books - http://wp.me/p2PenP-1MP #RA
• On Google+? Be sure to +MariannaPaulson when you share the link, and you’ll earn another entry.
• Make your way over to my Pinterest Board called "Giveaways." Earn one entry by clicking “Comment” on the Sunrise, Sunset: 52 Weeks of Awe and Gratitude pin, then leave one. Earn another entry by re-pinning this giveaway announcement.
• Include a link telling me where you shared this post on any of your other social media sites.

Good luck!

To read my other articles, please see RA HealthCentral.com Writing Gig.