Journey to Optimism

Penalty for Excessive Celebration!

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:09:00 GMT

Football – particularly Super Bowl Sunday – is all about celebration and fun. Grocery stores have ads dedicated to party food, eateries and bars plan special events, and people host festivities in their homes. It is play time for the teams and spectators across the country. So, I decided to join my husband and son to watch the “big” game. Captivated by the pre-game hoopla I anticipated the fun wearing off on me and the celebration and joy reenergizing my tired winter spirit. Until I discovered that celebration is limited - if it's excessive, you'll be penalized.

Three Good Things helps make a new family!

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:36:00 GMT

“I will need one more special thing,” he said. “Ok,” she said thinking that this is not the time of day we share Three Good Things. “I want us to be a family,” he said as he bent to his knee and offered her an engagement ring.

5 Steps to Cut Through the Holiday Crap!

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:51:00 GMT

Whether you embrace the magic of Christmas, are kin to the Grinch, or fall somewhere in between, the holiday season brings many opportunities for both stress and joy. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress but often hard to tap into the joy. Holiday “crap” — obligations, deadlines, expectations — can make the season more stressful than joyful.

Don’t despair. You can cut the crap and enjoy the season by choosing your perspective, deciding what you want to focus on, and taking action to avoid or relieve the holiday pressure. Follow these 5 steps for more joy and less stress!

3 Steps to Achieving the "Slippery Sucker" of Work/Life Balance

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:01:00 GMT

Work/life balance is this thing that we intuitively know is "good" and helps us find our "happy" but its nebulous quality and highly individual interpretation makes it a slippery sucker! So how do you do it? How do you find your personal work/life blance? Here are 3 important steps for actually achieving this golden egg of balance most of us are looking for: 1) avoid the biggest mistake about how we think about balance, 2) understand why balance is important, 3) create your doable balance strategy.

Happy Eating

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:15:00 GMT

My bathroom scale has a phone number on it to call if the scale malfunctions. I called and they told me they can't do anything about my eating popcorn, ice cream and various other "happy" foods! Can you believe it? Unfortunately, the number is real and makes me pretty unhappy.

3 Good Things about being a Worm

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:05:00 GMT

If a worm can find 3 good things about themselves, then anyone can! This is an excerpt from “Diary of a Worm” by Doreen Cronin.

September Happy Song ...Sing with Me!

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:58:00 GMT

My basement is flooded, my washing machine is leaking, and my refrigerator is about to blow up.

3 Good Things about Tax Day: My accountant, my contribution, a place to pee

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:12:00 GMT

Today I am writing two big checks to the government. One check to state and one to federal and I’m starting to feel a bit cranky. Situations like this can really derail a recovering pessimist so …it’s time for an emergency “Three Good Things” session! What could be good about paying taxes (and we all pay them …if you receive a refund it just means you overpaid) I’ll tell you …

Realize Your Dreams: 8 Easy Steps to Run Away from Home

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:12:00 GMT

My son has been sick, the snow has piled up, there are tax documents everywhere and a house on our block burned to the ground last night. “We should run away from home,” I said to my son. “Ok” he replied.

“But you are too sick and I wouldn’t even begin to know how to run away from home,” I replied. “I’m fine and I know how.” Intrigued and excited to learn how one goes about running away I listened as my 16 year old son shared these steps.

Happiness is a 2 Fart Yoga Class

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:45:00 GMT

She farted at the beginning of yoga class and I was so relieved! I almost didn't go to class because my day-long snacking made my stomach grumble with the threat of escaping gas ...I didn't want to be the one to fart in yoga class. The woman next to relieved my mental stress when her gas unexpectedly escaped. Thank goodness it wasn't me!