Holiday Happiness…

Some of you know that “happiness” is a favorite topic of mine. I love that we live in an era where this is now an entire field of study. There are books, blogs, courses and experts. But I know that this is a time of year that expectations of joy and happiness are so high that many people feel the exact opposite.

Just as I had prepared to write an entire piece on happiness, I read one that Julia Allison posted on her NonSociety page. And I loved it so much I thought I’d post it here instead of writing my own.  And to everyone out there who, for so many reasons, are not feeling joy today, take a minute to sit quietly and think about what makes you happy - whether it is here or not, hold the idea of it (or him or her) in your mind as long as you can. Carry it with you. Feel thankful for it and bask in that feeling of gratitude. Find the threads of it everywhere you look and don’t let go.

From Julia Allison, NonSociety

As I said in the last post, I’ve woken up every morning for the last ten days and thought “Holy shit, I’m happy” - and yes - yes, with absolutely no men in my life.

That happiness comes from three places on a daily basis:

1) My freedom, forum for creative expression, the joy I find in what I do, my writing, the conversations I have, my life’s work (whatever you want to call it).
2) My health.  Despite jousting with insomnia, my body has cooperated with me far beyond any reasonable expectation, and for that, I thank it.
3) The two women you see above, who have become the sisters I always wanted.  My relationships with them have been the most precious gifts I have ever received, and I could not imagine my life without them.

Actually, imagining is how this started in the first place.

A little over a year ago, I received my invitation to the annual College Humor holiday party.  The invite had featured all four founders, clad in holiday sweaters.  I thought, “I want that!!  I want that kind of relationship, the camaraderie, working and playing and building something with my best friends.”

I promise you - and Meghan & Mary can back me up on this - I wanted it so badly, I willed it into being.  This holiday card, the one you see above with the three of us, is the direct manifestation of what I dreamed about a year ago.  I literally envisioned us taking a holiday photo, just like the boys.  To watch something like this turn into reality?  I can’t describe the joy I feel; it’s limitless.  That doesn’t mean the experience came with no unforeseen consequences (welcome to life), nor does it mean every moment is blissful (nope) or free from conflict (come on).  But my belief in my own efficacy, the ability I have to create the life I want, has never been stronger.

And that, in my opinion, is the foundation of true happiness.  Believe you have the ability to create the life you want, and then … do it.

Merry Christmas, bunnies.