So many people have specific qualifications when it comes to the definition of "work." For some it means it must be compensated, for some it means going into an office or somewhere outside of the home to do a job for an established company, and for some it means something negative that we have to do to earn a living. I would challenge those definitions and replace them with "Our work is what we do to add value to the world." Whatever that looks like, and whatever that means to us. 

I strongly believe that in order to choose true happiness in life we need to live within the shades of gray. So often we categorize things into polarized, "black and white" thinking, which can lead to spoiled dreams, unsuccessful communication and broken relationships. The gray spaces hold life's nuances, its exciting possibilities, and opportunities for us to grow and change, rather than remaining stubbornly stuck where we've always been.  

Wouldn't it be nice once in a while to take a break from all of the things we tell ourselves? Like what we should be doing better? What we haven't accomplished yet? How "not enough" we are? I encourage you...no, I GIVE PERMISSION to you to take a break from all of that nonsense and just live, contentedly, as you are right now, without needing to change a thing. 

Very often we can get stuck in box of saying "I'm a _____" so I can't do_____." We limit ourselves by "shoulds" and by what other people may expect of us. I encourage you to consciously break free from those restrictions and give yourself permission to try new things and follow any path you choose. 

It is no fun to do the hard things in life but we HAVE to. Because choosing to not run away from them but to instead do the work that the hard things require, makes us strong, resilient, courageous, and dependable people. When we do the hard things they eventually become the easy things, and happiness becomes more attainable overall. 

When we experience the magical moments that life has to offer, we need to immerse ourselves fully in the joy and wonder of them. If we can't find any magic, then we can always create some, and enhance that exuberant feeling of marvel in our everyday lives. 

Whenever someone says something unkind we have the choice as to whether or not we allow it to hurt us. This episode explores why, as humans, we're taught to take things personally and how we can successfully break free from a pattern of accepting others' nasty behavior into our souls.

It is so important to tell our story - both the joy and the sorrow - with the safe people in our lives. Grief is lessened and joy is magnified when shared with others, and being seen, heard, and validated takes us miles ahead in our healing and happiness journey. 

My recent "Bereavement Tour" has taken me around the country to 3 funerals in 3 months. These close-up experiences of how limited our time on Earth really is, reminded me that we have many choices of how we spend our short time here, and it's up to us to choose happiness as often and as fully as we can. 

Our body holds a wealth of information about how we're doing and what we need, and it is vital to stop and listen to what the body is trying to tell us. Tuning in to our body and our gut is paramount when it comes to choosing happiness because it always knows what's best for us, every time.