I had the honor of being part of a promotion for Marci Shimoff’s new book, “Happy for No reason”. I’m so glad the book made it to the top of the NY Time’s Best Seller List. It’s message is as old as the hills and as leading edge as ever. We could all stand to be reminded that nothing beats being happy for no reason – jumping for joy just because we feel like it and smiling like a Cheshire cat just because…
We think we’ll be happy when… we get the job, meet the love of our lives, move out of our parent’s home, win the lottery, retire or whatever conditions we have convinced ourselves will move us out of our current situation to our fantasy “promised land.” And just as often, we find that arriving is anti-climactic, doesn’t deliver on the promises we’d imagined and that our dissatisfaction continues even as we check off our accomplishments and acquisitions.
Being “Happy for No Reason” is about cultivating practices that promote a positive, happy state of mind that is not contingent on anything outside of ourselves. It is about moving toward being happy no matter what is going on and, from that place, creating our lives and appreciating the people, places and things that we encounter along the way.
The book is a wealth of practical tools and exercises designed to help up reclaim our connection to our inner guidance which always has our best interests in mind and which connects us to the joy and deep satisfaction is each and every moment of our lives, starting now.
Marci includes the stories of 100 happy people she met while researching and writing this book. I have already incorporated Lisa’s mirror practice into my life and suggest that you try it out. Lisa started looking at herself in the mirror and, instead of putting herself down for her weight, zits, nappy hair and big lips, she started to appreciate everything about herself. She acknowledged all her successes and efforts no matter how small and started a life long love affair. As a result of this self-love fest, she noticed that her relationships improved, her enjoyment of life grew and the world took on a glow from the inside out. I’ve started doing this. I found it hard at first but I’m getting better at it and I feel a difference in how I show up and in how I’m not as ready to hide my light but dare to shine and to allow and inspire others to do the same.
I hope that you will take a moment to remember that your job, like Lisa (and me), is to love yourself today and maybe even sneak a peak in the next mirror you come across. Start appreciating yourself and filling up your love tank. Plug into the source within and you’ll never run on empty again.
