There is no happiness fairy. There is no guru, motivational speaker, author, mentor, lover, or clergyperson who can make us happy–though we often wish there was.
Happiness is a decision we make, a risk we take, and if we are happy, it is because we dare to be.
I am happy because I discovered that English made my heart sing, and I majored in it in spite of the fact that it provided me with no guaranteed livelihood.
I am happy because I paid off my student loans and cashed in my 401k to finance a year in Europe.
I am happy because I stepped out of the center of my own universe to make room for a child.
I am happy because I weathered the storm of ugliness that is divorce, and gave the sun a chance to come out again.
I am happy because I left the security of a nine-to-five job to start several businesses based on my passions.
I am happy because my son and I left everything we knew behind in Seattle to move to an island that felt like home from the moment we set foot on it.
I am happy because I built my dream house when I wanted to–even though I was a single parent at the time.
I am happy because I have a little farm.
When my courage wanes, I put on a bracelet that says, “Leap and the net will appear.” Happiness, I have discovered, is not for the faint of heart. I am only truly happy when I have the courage to be.
The illustration, by Kris Wiltse, is from the “Confident” card, which is part of the Mixed Emotions card deck.
Finding my way home 