happiness | pg.3

Despite a diet of organic, holistic dog food. Despite a pesticide-free yard. Despite daily exercise and plenty of TLC, our six-year-old dog Polar was diagnosed in October with osteosarcoma, an aggressive and indiscriminate type of bone cancer that leaves little time for weighing options.

Right now, I am living with 4 plates, 1 mug, 7 spoons, 2 books, 1 sofa, 4 folding chairs and a folding table, a mattress on the floor and the rest of the basics to get me, my husband and our almost-3-year-old through January in our temporary apartment.

All the rest of our stuff is on a ship crossing the Atlantic from Sweden.

When you see the world in yourself, there are no more outward obstacles to happiness. The inner and outer worlds are mirrors of each other. They change according to your level of consciousness. If you are vibrating at the level of fear, your inner world of thoughts and emotions and your outer world of events and relationships will reflect that. Similarly, if your consciousness vibrates at the level of love, then love will be present in both your inner and outer worlds. A flow of happiness and abundance will manifest when you have reached the deepest level of yourself.
– Deepak Chopra, The Happiness Prescription (Harmony Books, 2009)

It was nearly noon on a Wednesday a few months back when a welcomed Colorado blizzard closed schools and offices. My 4-year-old son and I were still in our cozies, enjoying lunch while we worked on his favorite puzzle. A PBS cartoon played in the background, but neither of us paid much attention to the TV until we heard the familiar theme song for Curious George.

Cardio is an all-around health booster. It burns calories, lowers body fat, strengthens your heart and lungs, and increases bone mass and muscle tone.

Cardio also releases mood-enhancing endorphins and hormones! I am oh-so-happy when I get my cardio in for the day — and so is the rest of my family!

I have been sharing this with many people, but I have not yet shared it with you, though some of you may already know: I am pregnant. I am 16 weeks pregnant, and I am obviously thrilled. The first few months were a combination of excitement, joy and also worry if it would really be real this time!

When was the last time you actually enjoyed a cup of coffee? And I don’t mean sipping on one while you’re getting ready in the morning, stuck in traffic or rushing to a meeting at work. I mean, when was the last time you actually sat down and focused your full attention on savoring the taste of the coffee in front of you?

I dream of a meditation retreat. But, with three high-energy children, three dogs, three cats, a rabbit, an absent-minded husband and a career guiding others to mindful living and travel, that dream remains a long way off. Peace, for now, often comes in the form of clean sheets and a soft pillow each night. I’ve learned, however, that in order to be my best, I need to seek out those Zen moments. Those all-too-fleeting times in my busy day when I get filled from within. When all else falls away and there’s only me. In the moment.

Dear Arielle & Brian,

Two years ago, the love of my life left me. We are gay, but she told me she didn’t want to be gay anymore and was on a religious tangent. Six months later, she was in a relationship with another woman.

Our passionate connection was indescribable. Our intense magnetic bond was not only physical but emotional and spiritual. However, she left me, so I obviously wasn’t “the one” for her anymore.

I am so excited to share with you my latest discovery … DELICIOUS LOVE. The kind of love that makes you shout with glee. You know, that love that makes your heart pump and every moment is filled with great expectancy? The love that makes you want to dress up and look your best, keeps a smile on your face and invites you to write incredible poetry. Think about a moment when everything in you felt radiant and excited to be alive … a moment when you were so sure that you were desirable and desired. Recall that moment and let it fill your body. Notice how you tingle and joy forms in your mind.