“Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’t
Because, sometimes, you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so
but, sadly, it’s true
that Bang-ups and Hang-ups
can happen to you.”  –Dr. Seuss

Life can be full of challenges.  For the next few minutes, I give you permission to vent, moan, whine, and complain about the things in your life that DON’T make you happy.

Yes, that totally sucks.

Now, take a breath.  Acknowledge the negative, accept it, and let it go.  A year from now you probably won’t remember what you were venting about today.  Unfortunately, bad things do happen that we cannot control.  However, life is short. We can control how we react and use the experience to enrich our view of the world.  Learn to re-frame and re-focus your perspective.  

This week we are going to focus on the things that DO make us happy. Our homework this week is to create our “Happiness Is…” List.  What are 5 things that always make you smile? Big or small.

Here’s my list:

Happiness Is..

1.  Picking up Cade from school and having his favorite snack, ramen, and talking about our day.

2.  Feeling fit and healthy–practicing my martial arts everyday

3.  Enjoying time with my family and friends

4.  Creating art–directing, performing, writing

5.  Helping a student succeed.  Love seeing a student smile because they “got it!”

Now take action.  This week, DO all 5 things on your list.  Focus on taking responsibility for your daily happiness.  We’ve only got this one life.

If not you, then who?  And if not now, then when?

(Sometimes, Happiness Is…a bowl of ramen!)