From the Shores of the Ottawa River

Being happy occurs when you live intentionally and your best life, authentically.    

I read in a greeting card that hummingbirds float free of time carrying our hopes for love, joy, and celebration. The hummingbird’s delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, and beauty is everywhere, and our personal connections has meaning.  Laughter is life’s sweetest creation.  This sentiment resonates.

Being authentic is not always easy. I am grateful to have people in my life who understand and appreciate me. Being happy means living my best life and not being afraid to let others see me being silly. 

Recently someone asked what I do. I responded I am a writer, a blogger she asked: “are you an influencer?” I said no, I’m not an influencer, however I do maintain a blog and I am the host of Empathetic Witness Podcast with Angelina. If I inspire others with my conversations to live their best life, that makes me happy.  But moments of my life are not staged on social media to get likes. Gratitude highlights the positive in my life. Happiness is being present for those moments. 

You, and only you, decide how you will react to situations, either of your own doing or when responding to someone else’s actions.  You decide  how you will react to their actions. It is simple, don’t make it complicated.  If you want to be happy, you can be, because you’re in charge of your feelings.

Some situations will take  more effort on your part, like a muscle you need to exercise by reminding yourself when you are aware your reaction can either hurt or give you peace.

For example, a regret I had years ago when I did not support a friend and I felt she must have felt betrayed by my action. I called her and we talked about it. She understood why I had behaved as I did,  and she said she was okay, a big-hearted response. I realized in that moment that it was my own perspective that was responsible for how I was feeling. My family, I am happy to say, are a bundle of laughter and see the lighter side of life!