Dear Happy Asses, As an adult, believe it or not — even though I can be playful, energetic, and sometimes “a lot” — I really don’t like to be embarrassed. I have come to realize that this isn’t just a personality quirk; it has roots in my childhood. Growing up in a completely unpredictable environment … Continue reading Tender Lessons from a Chaotic Childhood
Lessons From The Inside
Dear Happy Asses, “I went behind barbed wire to share love… and walked out with more love than I brought.”— Karen Key Smith Big Love Behind Barbed Wire This one is a little different, because the lessons from the inside really do come from the inside. The inside is barbed-wire fences, limited movement, guards, and little contact … Continue reading Lessons From The Inside
Loving Energy
Loving Energy Affirmation I am so excited about this year!!! I reflect loving energy in everything I do. I am so excited about this year All the right people show up to help me. This year is filled with promise one day at a time I am filled with great and contagious energy I reflect … Continue reading Loving Energy
This is How Winners Operate
Dear Happy Asses, I am not a football fan at all.Not even a little bit. And for someone who was once a cheerleader, I know shockingly little about the game — other than when you make a touchdown, you win, and fans go absolutely crazy for their team. I’ve always felt a tad left out … Continue reading This is How Winners Operate
Stop Judging From a Distance and Start Loving Up Close
Dear Happy Asses, I have a core memory as a little girl watching Johnny Carson and other late-night shows, hearing comedians slam Jersey — especially Newark. There was always an emphasis on how opposite they were from us folks in the South. Not just the accent, but the idea that courteousness somehow didn’t live there. … Continue reading Stop Judging From a Distance and Start Loving Up Close
The Courage To Question
Evoto Dear Happy Asses, Today is vision board day at our company — a ritual we’ve done since our inception. I don’t always finish my vision board on paper, but I work at it constantly with words, questions, and plans. I love to plan. I love to question. And lately, I’m working on asking myself … Continue reading The Courage To Question
Sticks and Stones
Dear Happy Asses, I do this little thing called Outfit of the Day, and I really enjoy it. It seems that a lot of others enjoy it too. I know I like seeing what other people are wearing—it’s fun, it gives me ideas, and all that jazz. Recently, I was having a conversation with a … Continue reading Sticks and Stones
The Wonder and the Chaos and the Gift
Dear Happy Asses, Christmas took me by surprise this year… as if it doesn’t come the same day, the same time, every single year. I kept pushing it off—tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow—and well… tomorrow is here. My love note is not written.I am guzzling lots of water, taking gnarly antibiotics, getting IVs, and enduring steroid shots … Continue reading The Wonder and the Chaos and the Gift
What if Self Confidence isn’t the Goal?
I struggle with self-confidence. I had a whole love note almost completed, but it felt clunky and contrived… and then my computer went dead!!!I’m actually thankful for that little intervention, because it gave me the chance to write what I authentically — and vulnerably — needed to write. People who don’t know me, and maybe … Continue reading What if Self Confidence isn’t the Goal?
Getting Lost So I Can Be Found
Dear Happy Asses, I have always found great things when I thought I was lost. I’ve kind of looked at it as an adventure. When my sweet husband would get frustrated because we were lost again, I was usually excited about what I might find on this said lost adventure. I think I was comfortable … Continue reading Getting Lost So I Can Be Found