Happiness Is Diversity

Low carb is not the right diet for everyone. Bungee-jumping is not the sport for everyone. Condo living is not adequate living arrangements for everyone. And there is no set blueprint for your life either.

You have needs, wants, dreams, and a history that make your life different than anyone else’s. Life is about diversity.

Formal Victorian style is not at all the right approach to a home for me with large dogs and foster kittens, but my streamlined casual style works well. My friend on the other hand would never live in a home with all tile floors, it’s just not sophisticated enough for her. “I need carpet and fancy drapes”, she says.

I would look silly in super-low-cut jeans, but my 22 year old niece would not welcome the tailored suits I often wear.

My message is simple -- Happiness lies in that sacred place where you create the diversity that makes your life yours. Happiness lies where self acceptance and self improvement meet. Not just your decorating style, or your choice of jeans --but your ideals, your passions, what makes you smile.

In order for happiness to live with you, your life must reflect what makes sense to you. What you love, what you care about, what you treasure, what you find interesting and important.

When I first moved to Arizona over 15 years ago now, I had been working with my husband running jobsites for a large construction company. I wanted to do something else when we made the move, but he asked me nicely to continue, and I agreed. It was, afterall, what we had been doing successfully all along. Who was I to rock the boat?

I continued working for 2 years, and I did a decent job; but I also was very stressed, and added to his stress because I was unhappy with my choice. I went to work barely on time, I took every second of my lunch hour, I left as early as I could get away with. There were many indications that my heart wasn’t in it.

After the 2 years, I was able to go back to school and start my Coaching Business. In the early years, I could easily put in 60 hours a week, and never get tired, bored, wanting to quit. Years later, I still don’t get tired. Ok, that’s not true, but I don’t get sick-and-tired-can't-make-myself, if you know what I mean.

I wouldn’t make it as a rock star. I could never be a chef, or a surgeon. But this I love. I found happiness in the variety of life, in the niche that fits me. You can too!

But even with the beauty of diversity, there are of course some basics. Just like in decorating, or fashion style, living a great life involves knowing some basic skills and putting in some foundation pieces.

From there, it becomes a creative effort that reflects your own personality, your own interests, your own message to the world.

Start with the basics:
1. Screen out things that aren’t important to you.
2. Put your effort in the right places.
3. Clearly define your priorities.
4. Build reserves into your life.
5. Identify and eliminate energy zappers.
6. Manage your thoughts.
7. Eliminate overwhelm through daily action.

Every day that you work hard on being optimistic and strengthening things that are meaningful and important to you, there is less room for unhappiness or self pity. Start Today.

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