lennon
…John Lennon

We appear to be in the midst of a “happiness” movement. You’ve probably heard this song by Pharrell a time or 200, or maybe “If You’re Happy and You Know It” is more your speed these days. Maybe you’ve run in the “Happiest 5K on the Planet” or watched “happy” the movie. And, I’m sure you’ve seen one of the many “happy grams” popping up in social media profiles and status updates. It all leads me to wonder has “happy” simply become the latest fad or are people finally living it?

Feeling happy at the 2013 Color Run!
Feeling happy at the 2013 Color Run!

Thanks to my parents, happiness, and the importance of it, has defined my life. From the moment of my birth, my father ingrained one simple, yet profound statement into my brain: “happiness is the meaning and purpose of life.” It took me many years, decades even, to truly absorb, understand, appreciate and apply this philosophy, but when it finally “clicked” my life became simple, easy and, well, just plain happy.

As a result, the “happy” philosophy is one I often share with friends and family, including my toddler. But, something unexpected happened when I was contemplating how I would follow in my father’s footsteps and indoctrinate my daughter with the profound philosophical concepts that would lead her to embrace this powerful emotion: she taught me!

You see, happiness isn’t something that can be pursued, or discovered or created, because we are all born happy. That’s right – just watch a newborn

Be Happy. It Drives People Crazy!
Be Happy. It Drives People Crazy!

nurse or sleep or coo sometime. Happiness is instinctual; it is what our gut calls us to do, to be, to seek. But, as we become adults and learn that life isn’t always lullabies and lollypops, we place our instinct on mute and start listening to everything and everyone else. So, dear friends, I implore you – embrace your instinct (it is, after all, one of our most maternal impulses, so listen!) and I guarantee you will experience happiness.

What favorite life lessons/values/philosophies are you sharing with your children?

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shelleyouellette
p>Contributor

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Family: Dad, Mom, Baby Girl and a dog named Gator.

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Education: B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Florida. Yes, I do bleed orange and blue!!

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Mom Acronym: WAHM (work at home mom)

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Your Perfect Day: Staring at a sun-filled blue sky while lying on New Smyrna Beach and jumping ocean waves with my daughter.

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Can’t Live Without: My "crackberry" BlackBerry phone -- yes, I'm a Blackberry loyalist (for now anyway).

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Favorite Pregnancy/Labor & Delivery/Parenting Tip: This one applies to all: JUST BREATHE!

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