I was a middle schooler when I stopped believing in Santa Clause. It’s embarrassing. I practically had my learner’s permit. Cynical Suzy called me out during a game of Ultimate Frisbee. “You still believe in Santa, don’t you?” she said, and I imagined her head exploding. I left P.E. early that day, which was stellar, … Continue reading
Tagged with happiness …
Reasons Why We Should Focus on “Being” Instead of “Doing” and Why Life is Beautiful
A lot of the time we get so caught up in doing that we forget about being. And it’s true we will never be able to stem the flow of the emails or pour more sand in our hour glasses. There are appointments to keep, deadlines to be met, people to become. So, sometimes, we … Continue reading
Joie de Vivre and How to Get Through the Bad Days
Last night, I curled up on my couch with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and a Breaking Bad marathon. I wish this one episode came with a warning label because Bryan Cranston butt naked in a grocery store is a sight I could have lived without. In between episodes, I caught sight of my swollen … Continue reading
What Do You Want?
Lao Tzu said, “At the center of your being, you have the answer. You know who you are and you know what you want.” So what is it that you want? In the days before I owned a bra or a razor, I knew what I wanted. Wisdom dwells in Hawaiian Punched years when you’re … Continue reading
My Dad, The Vietnam War Draft, and Not Being Afraid
Someone once said, “All man’s problems stem from him not being able to sit alone by himself in a room.” But he or she should have included docks and decks, cars and airplanes, gas stations and mini-malls. My Dad watched his family’s gray box breathlessly as the regularly scheduled program was interrupted by a CBS … Continue reading
Why Exploring the Unknown Will Make You a Happier Person
In Mermaids, Cher said: “Life is change. Death is: dwelling on the past or staying in one place too long.” My Mom tells me I’m “a California girl from head to toe,” and from my fin scars to my compulsive Surfline checking, she’s got a case. Still, lately, my gut tells me it might be … Continue reading
What Makes a Life Worth Living?
We are all a lot braver than we perceive ourselves to be. I’ve lived in a foreign country; graduated from college with high marks; and recovered from months of bed rest and resultant mind-numbing solitude. We’ve all overcome challenges we didn’t think we could. Just because we don’t know what’s going to happen, doesn’t mean we can’t handle it. You have to trust your instincts, and you have to have faith. Your life just doesn’t work as well if you don’t. And each day, I inch towards courage. I move towards faith. I believe in a brighter future now. I believe in myself. Continue reading
Happiness Interview: Doug Pate, Co-Founder of Isle Surf & SUP
“Anything you do that’s worthwhile is going to be difficult. If its easy, its not worth doing. Its the person who is persistent, who battles it out that succeeds.” Continue reading