Happiness is a Journey...

I have a refrigerator magnet given to me by my mother that says "Happiness is a journey, not a destination." And it couldn't be more true.

Life gives everyone lemons, some more than others, and I am a firm believer that happiness isn't something we just wake up with every morning. It takes effort, and is something we must consciously strive for.

Negativity is all around us. Aside from whatever stress or misgivings we each have going on in our daily lives with work, school, family, friends, relationships, health, we are bombarded with scenes and images of crime, hatred, inhumanity, injustice, and violence on our television sets, our computers and our mobile devices. We are treated unfairly at work, we get into an argument with a loved one, we fail a test at school, we are hit with a health crisis, we get our heart broken. The negativity seems to carry a larger impact on our minutes, days and lives than the positive. And yet, we cannot crawl into a dark hole and hide. We must digest and process and overcome all of this on a daily basis, and muster a smile. We must find a way to block out the negative in order to present ourselves as fabulous, well-functioning, contributing human beings, and engage in meaningful relationships, and share love with those around us.

It is our daily journey to spread happiness and love and light in a place that is peppered with sadness and hatred and darkness. It is our daily task to find the pockets of beauty that exist. Beauty is there. There is more of it than we can see. Behind the bad test score, is a mother who will help pick you up no matter how many times you fall down. Following the violence, is a community that comes together to rebuild and spread love. After the failed relationship, is an opportunity to make connections with people you might not have met otherwise.

I challenge each of you to look for the beauty in your days. Or better yet, create the beauty. Smile at a stranger. Lend a hand to someone in need. Mail a card to someone you haven't spoken to in awhile. Play with a child the way you played when you were a child.

Remember, happiness is a journey, not a destination. We must make the effort for ourselves, and for others.

Sharing some happiness from my life:

Love.

Kindness.

Adventure.

S'mores!

Wine = Happiness, right?

Friendship and silliness.

Wonder. Amazement. Snow.

Sand and salt water.

Wide open roads.

Feet in the sand. Warm sun on the skin.

Sun. Boards. Beautiful day.

Flowers.

Fresh mountain air.

Nature.

When life hands you lemons...

*Now You Grow

Quinoa for Breakfast?

Quinoa Oatmeal Bake

Ingredients:
3/4 cup quinoa
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 tsp baking powder
1-2 bananas, sliced
1 handful of organic blueberries or strawberries (add more for sweetness)2 cups of almond milk (vanilla)
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla
2 healthy shakes of cinnamon
1 shake of salt or sea salt
a drizzle of organic amber agave nectar
coconut oil

Rinse the quinoa in a strainer, under water until the water runs clear.

1. In one bowl, mix together the quinoa, oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
   
2. In a second bowl, lightly beat the egg and incorporate the almond milk and vanilla.
3. Grease your casserole with coconut oil (yum!)
4. Cut the bananas into thin slices and cover the bottom of the casserole. Sprinkle some blueberries or strawberries across the bottom as well.
5. Spread the mixture in the first bowl (quinoa, oats, etc.) evenly across the casserole.
   
6. Pour the mixture in the second bowl (egg, almond milk, vanilla) on top.
7. Sprinkle some additional banana slices and berries across the top, and drizzle with organic amber agave nectar
8. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 - 50 minutes, until mixture is slightly browned.