My Own Happiness

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

I’m a quote lover. It’s not unusual for me to throw one into a conversation, especially when the topic turns to inner peace or finding happiness. This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson really resonates with me because years ago, I decided who I wanted to be.

At a recent book club meeting, we got into a passionate discussion about happiness—sparked by our selection, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. We talked about how easy it is to fall into a rut after going through trauma or loss. And somewhere in the middle of the conversation, I found myself saying something I truly believe:

“It’s not what you’ve been through that makes you who you are—it’s how you handle it.”

I stand by that. I’m a firm believer that only you can change yourself. If you want things to be different in your life, it starts with your mindset. That’s the power of positive thinking. Our brains are incredible—they can flip our mood with a single thought.

As humans, it’s tempting to blame our jobs, our partners, or our circumstances for our unhappiness. But the truth is, our well-being starts and ends with us. Entrepreneurs succeed because they already believe in the vision they’re chasing. People who feel blessed often surround themselves with love, practice gratitude, and create a life filled with intention.

I know it might sound too simple, but I challenge you to try it: the next time a negative thought sneaks into your mind, brush it away. Replace it with something positive. Just for a day. You might be surprised at how quickly your mindset shifts—and how much lighter you feel.

Let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear what you discover.

Is This Your Reality?

Yet another conversation with the Comedian sparked today’s reflection. One of the most beautiful things in a relationship is when your conversations ignite creativity and self-awareness. Lately, we’ve been talking a lot about “other people’s realities.” It’s a tricky concept to explain, but when you start living consciously and staying present, the noise of gossip and drama just doesn’t hit the same. You start to see how much time and energy people give to things that don’t actually matter.

I’ll admit, there have been moments when I let someone else’s reality throw me off—when their negativity or judgment distracted me from my peace. But I’ve learned that when toxic energy interrupts your joy, the goal isn’t to fight it. It’s to gently guide yourself back to the beauty of the moment.

I’m reminded of something I heard in The Secret: if you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, you might feel like the whole day is ruined. But in reality, you have the power to change that energy at any time. You can shift your mood, reset your perspective, and reclaim your day. You are in charge of your emotions and your environment—including the people you choose to keep close.

In The 4-Hour Work Week, Timothy Ferriss says that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. That hit home for me. It’s taken time, but I can honestly say that the people closest to me now reflect the values I cherish: growth, peace, and authenticity.

Everyone lives in their own reality. You can’t change theirs—but you can shape your own. You can choose to live in alignment with the person you want to become.

This past Sunday, Joel Osteen said something that stuck with me:
“Nothing you have done has canceled your destiny.”
God still has a plan for you—it’s your choice whether or not to listen.

As for me, I choose to keep walking this path of positive enlightenment.
What about you?

Remember When...

Don’t you remember when bills didn’t need paying and you could run barefoot through the backyard without a care in the world? When no one you loved was going through a divorce or grieving an unimaginable loss? When no one had ever harmed you—and even a butterfly landing on your shoulder felt like magic?

Remember when you’d fall asleep on the couch watching My Little Pony, only to wake up in your dad’s arms as he carried you to bed? Or when he gave you a high five for finally hitting the ball off the tee? Those were the days when life was just playtime—when Barbie and Ken were off getting married, riding their pink Corvette through your living room, and the biggest conflict was telling your sister it was your turn on the Nintendo.

But grown-up reality? It’s darker. Heavier. It can leave you feeling empty or overwhelmed, wondering Is this really it? Life becomes a series of heartbreaks, unpaid bills, funerals, cruel words, and people who disappoint. It’s easy to lose that childlike light we once carried so freely.

But here’s the truth: You don’t have to just “remember when.”

You can still be that person—the one full of wonder, joy, and hope. Yes, life leaves its bruises. The world breaks us open in ways we never asked for. But we are not powerless. Just like we once got up with scabbed knees and kept running, we can still heal and keep going.

Pray. Breathe. Laugh. Keep moving forward.

Live your life in such a way that you don’t have to cling to memories of “when.”
Because when can be right now.