SENNETT - Even if there was poor weather Sunday afternoon, Dr. Robert Kiltz, of Skaneateles has a way of shining the best light on things.

“It is another perfect day in the universe,” Kiltz said, as he greeted his guests for a walk and talk at Claire Affleck Training. “Even if it was raining or snowing it would still be perfect. It is all about what we think of it. It is not good or bad, it is the way we look at it. We are all here to enjoy the day and nature and people.”

Kiltz, owner of CNY Fertility Center and CNY Healing Arts Center, admits he did not always have such a bright outlook.

Despite his training as a doctor and a successful career, Kiltz still found himself wanting.

“I was trained in Western medicine,” Kiltz said. “But I found that I was still really stressed out and medicine wasn't solving all the problems that it was supposed to solve. Then I started listening and talking and hearing other people and I realized that we can make a change together.”

Kiltz said in recent years he has taken a deep interest in Eastern philosophies, which have enabled him to find a path that has given him the comfort and answers he had been seeking.

This inspired Kiltz to start a blog on his Web site, cnyfertility.com, as well as host Sunday's walk and talk.

With a bright sunny day and a crisp fall breeze, Kiltz led his guests on a hike across the Affleck property, even turning the few puddles and bits of overgrowth into a lesson on the perspective of life Kiltz has been sharing.

“I was thinking about cutting a path,” Kiltz said. “But life doesn't cut a path in front of us. We have to make it ourselves. Even the little spots where there is water and we had to put down some boards, those are like the challenges that we have in life and that we have to face and overcome.”

Once the group wound its way through the property, Kiltz led them to a warm fire set by the side of a pond to sit and reflect.

Kiltz said he knew how competitive the world is, and like many, he had run the race for many years, building his career and buying a home and cars with all the trappings that go with it.

But he still was not satisfied. This manifested itself in feelings of anxiety and worry.

“I was worried all the time,” Kiltz said. “I thought that if I didn't worry, who was going to worry about the things that were worrying me and I think a lot of us feel that way.”

Kiltz said everyday, most people are bombarded with negative energy, from war, hunger and the economy, things the mind holds on to and files away. This creates a feeling of negative energy that can be felt by others, feeding into a loop of negative energy.

“Think about a cell phone,” Kiltz said. “A phone here sends out energy that can travel across the world and out there, there is another phone that knows to ring. That is energy and our thoughts are energy to and can't they travel out there too?”

But through his personal journey, Kiltz has found ways to combat negativity. One of Kiltz's key principles is a new spin on the word fear.

“Forget everything and relax,” Kiltz said. “You can take the word and change everything about it.”

Kiltz said fear is a normal reaction to unknown situations, but often it is ingrained in us as a reason to give up.

“Someone told me a story about their daughter once,” Kiltz said. “She said that they were doing a school play and the teacher said anyone who is scared by this can leave. It is normal to have fear, but that is part of the challenge, to face it and overcome it.”

The greatest tool in achieving this, according to Kiltz, is to reach out and connect with others, creating positive energy.

“We can hug and we can touch,” Kiltz said. “That is an amazing thing. That connection with others creates positive energy. Even just words, stopping and saying I love you, you are amazing. It is incredible what a difference this can make; just taking the time to say these words and give someone a hug. It makes them feel better and it makes you feel better.”