Posts from — March 2009

With every step I take I am reminded by those around me that we all are challenged by these times that are so difficult for so many. How do we maintain joy? How is happiness sustainable when times are so tough?

Amidst contradictions, we are called to trust happiness, choose joy, walk focused fully forward, and evolve in good faith together. The path often seems dimly lit, yet we continue to take steps in the direction of love, trusting the Light. We sort for the ways that life is good rather than moan and complain about what is not working.

Lovevolves. It does, especially if we feed it.

The good news is that, through the community created by Drive Yourself Happy, we do not travel alone, and reminders to keep us on track are ours for the asking. I am committed to be in service of personal, local, and global change, and intend to be that friend, resource, place of authentic connection and community committed to happiness regardless of the circumstances. Though we are scattered around the globe, we have an awareness that there are others equally longing and committed to creating joy. We join hands and hearts and toward a hopeful future knowing we can influence and expand happiness at every turn.

As our Life Driving Instructor, I keep my fingers on the pulse of life and report what I see, feel, hear and experience, and well as share what I know to be true. With wonderful people like you I attempt to make each moment count, consciously accepting what is, and imagining positive change ahead. Together we bring our passions willingly alive to expand limitless possibilities for sustainable happiness even during turbulent times.

I applaud your courage and appreciate your tenacity on your journey. I share your concern and intention for making the world a better and more joyful place. With small steps and huge leaps of faith we are the change we want to see in the world, and are more powerful when we refine the art of being connected as true friends.

On this first day of Spring, I bow to you in gratitude, and ask that you help me to expand our community one kindred connection at a time. Please pass along the invitation to your friends to be come a part of the Drive Yourself Happy Community by signing up to receive my free newsletter.

HAPPY SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Want to learn more about Positive Psychology? Here are a few suggestions…

1. A Primer in Positive Psychology by Christopher Peterson, Ph.D.

2. Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth by Ed Diener, Ph.D., and Robert Biswas-Diener, MA

3. Positivity: Groundbreaking Research Reveals How to Embrace the Hidden Strength of Positive Emotions, Overcoming Negativity, and Thrive by Barbara L. Fredrickson, Ph.D.

4. The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want by Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D.

5. Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier by Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D.

6. The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom–Why the Meaningful Life Is Closer Than You Think by Jonathan Haidt, Ph.D.

7. Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert, Ph.D.

8. Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment by Tal Ben-Shahar

9. Happiness: A History by Darrin M. McMahon, Ph.D.

10.  Quality of Life Therapy: Applying a Life Satisfaction Approach to Positive Psychology and Cognitive Therapy by Michael B. Frisch, Ph.D.

“You start dying when you have nothing to live for.
You start living when you find something worth dying for.”

– Mark Batterson (author, Wild Goose Chase)

Whew! I don’t know about you, but my life has been very full. It has been said that life is a banquet. Well, my plates are very full!

I have at times felt that my life is split. I feel pulled between the needs of my grandkids (one boy with autism, two with ADHD, and a 7 month old grand-daughter on the brink of crawling, all living in Los Angeles), my passion for developing my work and sustainability in a way that is congruent with who I am and in the service of making the world a better place, other worldly demands, my friends in Port Townsend, WA, and my longing for stillness to connect with my spiritual core and rejuvenate.

What if  I tweaked my vision to see this as a whole, rather than divergent parts? What if I shelved any resistance and opened my arms to what is, seeing it as an invitation, rather than an inconvenience?

Happiness calls us. It is a constant, just like the sun, even when sometimes hidden by the clouds. It is not the circumstances that matter most.

To expand my happiness, this week I will practice opening my arms to it all that feeds my intuition rather than my logic. I seldom slide into feeling a slave to it all, although I can get a bit weary. I just wish each day had more hours. But really, what if … what if it were all as it is meant to be? What if these compartments of life are not cages? Who would I be if my energy did not fight what seems to be unfolding and instead expected miracles? What if the adventure is to opportunity to see the blessings in the cracks in the sidewalk and the calling to access all that we are?

I am most alive and joyful when I stretch in reply to an inkling, following an intuitive call into the unknown in a way that defies logic, but feels right.

I don’t see life as the pursuit of playing it safe. Some people really cling to their comfort zone. That’s not to say that I don’t appreciate a chance to rest and retreat from time to time, but I know not to get attached to the predictable. Passion and growth come from stepping into the unknown, listening within, welcoming the adventure, and trusting that all is well.

I love when synchronicities find me. I consider them miracles that I have magically attracted. They are a delightful delivery form of the next pieces of the puzzle.

A dear kindred friend and life-coach, Shannon Bruce, referred me to a wonderful book, Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson. I decided to download a sample chapter from the author’s website.

After being drawn into this tidbit with no time to spare, I felt soothed and relieved. I am OK. It’s all OK. My Renaissance Spirit is OK.

I suggest you run, don’t walk, to download your chapter of Wild Goose Chase, too . I love the way Mark Batterson writes. The description and story of a Wild Goose connected with me in a powerful way.

So, what used to feel like being pulled in too many directions now feels like an adventure so many women I know are on. I feel reasured that I am most certainly on the road of conscious happiness.

It’s time to focus on all that is working, rather than belabor the things that are not. Far too often we dramatize life and become high maintenance in the process by exaggerating what is less than ideal. Life has it’s inevitable twists and turns, but need not throw ous off course. Detours are the opportunity to learn, change, or choose a different path.

Being a ‘whiner’ may be signature behavior for a cat, but not attractive for a human committed to sustainable happiness.