For a while now, my friend Lacy and I have been chatting on the topic of “happiness”. What is it? Where does it come from? How do we get more of it? What makes us really happy? What makes one person a “happy person” and another not? The questions are endless, but the research, it turns out, is fun! We have in no way become experts, but have learned one thing: Happiness is, among other things, a practice. So like anything else we want to do better, we must make it a habit.
Lacy has been 'practicing' for a long time now, and I feel she has a lot to share on the topic. So when I decided to start this blog, I asked her if she would do regular guest-posts to talk about it. I plan to make a habit of reading them. xoxo, Leigh
Jump, Leap, Trust.
Hi all! Lacy here!
There’s a story that I sometimes read to my clients about jumping into the void. The message is that we think life is when we’re on solid ground but really, in truth life happens in the moments where we’re in the air leaping between the two places. When we can come to realize the impermanence, the illusions and reality of change then we’re free to experience life in a whole new way. For some it’s just a concept to entertain for others it’s a way of life. You get to choose where you land on the spectrum.
What I know of happiness is that it’s about finding it in all places, especially the places called transition.
Happiness is a muscle that you exercise and a way of thinking that is not only practiced with diligence but also a healthy sense of humor. Transition is one of those special places that can either be wrought with angst or filled with head shaking, belly busting laughter. When you get to that place in your life remember that you get the choice to plant your feet firmly and not budge or to be flexible… to jump, leap and trust.
Here's to jumping right into the void!
Lacy Young is a professional happy person. You can find out more about her on her blog.
Love happiness! Good luck to us to find it in all our transitions in life. I needed this today 🙂
Have you girls seen the documentary “Happy”? It’s avaiable on iTunes. Super facinating.
http://vimeo.com/11335940
Just want I needed for today! Thanks, Lacy!
I have been looking at a book on Amazon called “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin. Since you’re a professional happy person, I am wondering if you’ve read it and if you’d recommend it? (I’m a professional “book reader” person, and that makes me very happy 🙂 ) Thanks for this fun post!
This reminds me of something the singer Christine Kane uses in one of her songs, which is an old zen saying “leap and the net will appear”-which gives some happiness and assurance during those transitional times in life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KAjvsyZv4Y
Kristen! I hadn’t heard that song, an instant love! love the part on the “Zens” so awesome!Thanks for sharing it! -Lacy
Kerrie, haven’t read that book, will give it a look! Lacy
I’m currently in a period of transition and experience day-to-day happiness because of being at home with my two sons during the summer and they bring pure joy to me, but the “big picture” worries me. Great blog! My dear friend just sent me a trinket that says, “Sometimes you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way down.”