Tag: what is happiness

The Picture of Happiness – Jogging

It’s the Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is accountant Thuy Le, she says:

An early morning jog outdoors makes me happy!!…At home in beautiful Colorado, and especially in a new place while on vacation!  I get to breathe in the fresh air, look up and enjoy all the natural beauty around me, and I think to myself, how lucky I am to be here and in this moment!  This picture was taken during a jog in Kona, Hawaii. 

TL

I'm a mom of two: Son 14, daughter, 10. I am an accountant, working full-time from home, for an insurance premium audit company in Connecticut. I enjoy spending time with my family, jogging, baking/cooking, shopping, and traveling.

I’m a mom of two: Son 14, daughter, 10. I am an accountant, working
full-time from home, for an insurance premium audit company in
Connecticut. I enjoy spending time with my family, jogging,
baking/cooking, shopping, and traveling.

The Picture of Happiness – Mornings

It’s The Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is photographer Jenni Lillie, she says:

This photograph is called Joy in the Morning. When there are difficult times in our lives and the darkness seems like it will overtake us, the sun comes back up and at some point there is joy again. Flowers make me happy.

Mornings + flowers = happiness for photographer Jenni Lillie

Mornings + flowers = happiness for photographer Jenni Lillie

Jenni is a wife, mom, photographer and art lover. To check out more of her work, check out her website.

Jenni is a wife, mom, photographer and art lover. To check out more of her work, check out her website.

The Picture of Happiness – Wrapping Gifts

It’s The Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is Dr. Linda Baker, she says:

I am a full-time clinical psychologist and a part-time jewelry shop owner/refurbisher/photographer at Chainsaw & Co.  I get very excited by the concept and act of gift-giving, which likely explains my insistence on uniquely hand-wrapping each item that is sold.  As I’m wrapping, I imagine the receiver opening their gift and this makes me feel delightfully well-nourished.

Gift-Giving + Hand-Wrapping = Happiness for Dr. Linda Baker

Gift-Giving + Hand-Wrapping = Happiness for Dr. Linda Baker

Linda Baker, PsyD is the owner of Unstuck Therapy, a private psychotherapy and assessment practice in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Denver. Unstuck Therapy has been featured on ManTherapy.org and AllTreatment.com highlighting specialty areas including men’s issues, secondary trauma, adolescent mental health, and depression. These days, Linda enjoys prose, pop culture, fashion, and humans of all varieties.

Linda Baker, PsyD is the owner of Unstuck Therapy, a private psychotherapy and assessment practice in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Denver. Unstuck Therapy has been featured on ManTherapy.org and AllTreatment.com highlighting specialty areas including men’s issues, secondary trauma, adolescent mental health, and depression. These days, Linda enjoys prose, pop culture, fashion, and humans of all varieties.

The Picture of Happiness – Pieces of Heaven

It’s The Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is Mandy Baron, she says:

There are lots of things that make me happy, but seeing rays through the clouds is one of my favorites!  It feels like a little piece of heaven is shining down for me.  Sometimes in my crazy chaotic life it is a great reminder to slow down, take a deep breath, and enjoy the beauty all around.   

Sunbeams + reminders to slow down = happiness for Mandy Baron

Sunbeams + reminders to slow down = happiness for Mandy Baron

Mandy Baron is a dental hygienist, wife and mom of three young boys. She and her family are currently living in Germany.

Mandy Baron is a dental hygienist, wife and mom of three young boys. She and her family are currently living in Germany.

The Picture of Happiness – Traveling

It’s The Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is Dr. Debbie Sorenson, she says:

Very little gives me as much sense of vitality as the adventure of traveling abroad. My husband and I make a priority of taking a trip to another country every few years if we can. I love researching and planning a trip, learning about new cultures and places, and getting outside of my comfort zone for a while. And I always enjoy having the memories of each trip to carry with me for years to come! This is an iguana I photographed on the beach during my most recent trip abroad, which was to Costa Rica.

Traveling abroad = happiness for Dr. Debbie Sorenson

Traveling abroad = happiness for Dr. Debbie Sorenson

Debbie Sorensen is a clinical psychologist who lives and works in Denver, Colorado. She has one daughter and another one on the way. In addition to travel, she enjoys reading, cooking, and camping.

Dr. Debbie Sorensen is a clinical psychologist who lives and works in Denver, Colorado. She has one daughter and another one on the way. In addition to travel, she enjoys reading, cooking, and camping.

The Picture of Happiness – Running

It’s The Picture of Happiness month!

Today’s guest is Dr. Amy Greenamyer, she says:

This picture is of my medals from 3 full marathons and 8 half marathons. It makes me happy to look at these because of words that have echoed in my head since I was 11-years-old.  As the middle school track coach cut me from the team on the second day of practice, he said, “You are too slow to be a sprinter, too short to jump, and can’t run worth a crap for any distance.” I gave up on ever being an athlete after that.

In late November 2006, my friend JJ suggested we run a marathon. I laughed at her. I told her I “couldn’t” run and had “proof” in the form of my former coach’s assessment. She laughed at me and told me to start training with her. Knowing my friend, resistance was futile. So, I started to train.

There were points in that first marathon, and in every race since, that I wanted to quit, puke, die or all three. But, JJ helped keep me going. My family and multitudes of strangers along the course helped me keep going. And, oddly enough, my track coach helped me keep going; I had to prove him wrong. Crossing the finish line was pure bliss! Everything on me hurt. My toenails later fell out. I smelled. But, in that final step over the line, I became a marathoner. An athlete.

Now I have a wall full of medals and feel the same delight and pride as I cross the finish line. I’m not fast—in order for my finish times to qualify for the Boston Marathon I’d have to be 90 years old. I walk sometimes, or a lot of the time, depending on the race. But I finish. And I smile every time I do.

Proving old coaches wrong + inspiration from a friend = happiness for Dr. Amy Greenamyer

Proving an old coach wrong + inspiration from a friend + running a marathon = happiness for Dr. Amy Greenamyer

Amy Greenamyer is a licensed psychologist and co-owner of Green Line Wellness in Louisville, Kentucky. She and her husband are the proud parents of a daughter and son. They also have a rescued dog who is now a therapy dog at Amy’s practice.


Amy Greenamyer is a licensed psychologist and co-owner of Green Line Wellness in Louisville, Kentucky. She and her husband are the proud parents of a daughter and son. They also have a rescue dog who is now a therapy dog at Amy’s practice.

The Picture of Happiness – Imperfect Seashells and Beautiful Friends

It’s The Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is Karyn Dundorf, she says:

Lately, I have come to realize that there is much beauty to be found in the imperfect.  I recently went on a trip to Clearwater, FL for a reunion of some college friends.  Instead of one of the myriad of pictures of perfect sunsets, white sand beaches, or (other people) in bikinis, I am posting a picture of a broken shell.  My friends and I are not nearly as fresh and perfect as we seemed when were 18 year-olds full of idealism and wonder.  Life has happened.  We have more wrinkles and less idealism but more wisdom and depth.  I found each of my friends more beautiful and precious than I used to.  It’s funny, I’m able to see the beauty in them, but it’s much harder to look at my own “failings” with any love.  I kept this broken shell of a reminder that there is true beauty that comes out of brokenness.  I look at the shell every day and when I do, I think of my beautiful friends.  It is a reminder to treasure people, including myself, as they are instead of what/where they are “supposed” to be.

KB

Wise friends + life’s imperfections = happiness for Karyn Dundorf

KB1

Karyn is a once engineer, now stay at home mom to three kids 6 and under in Boulder, Colorado.

The Picture of Happiness – My Grandmother’s Purse

It is The Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is Kelly Behling, she says:

This purse was my grandmother’s, and every time I use it I think about all of the good memories I have of her.  I was told once by a woman at an antique store that it was too old and too valuable to actually use, but the joy it brings me on a special night out far outweighs the monetary value.

Memories of Grandma + Her Special Purse = Happiness for Kelly Behling

Memories of Grandma + Her Special Purse = Happiness for Kelly Behling

My name is Kelly Behling, and I am Dr. Stephanie's younger sister. My husband and I live in Westminster, CO and I am on my way to becoming an environmental engineer. In my free time I love to hike, craft, read, and explore local breweries.

This is Kelly Behling climbing the Rocky Mountains.  She is currently in graduate school at the University of Colorado studying to become an environmental engineer.  In her free time she loves to hike, craft, read and explore local breweries.

The Picture of Happiness – Knitting

It’s  The Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is Caroline Moore, she says:

Knitting makes me happy.  I love going to the yarn store and picking out something beautiful from all the gorgeous varieties of wool, synthetics, cotton, alpaca, and bamboo.  I enjoy the feel of it in my fingers and the warmth it creates.  From picking out a pattern to casting on the first stitches to giving a loved one (or myself) a finished product, I love the whole process.  I enjoy solitary knitting or with dear friends in my “craft group” which I have been doing for the last 20 plus years.  Knitting keeps my hands busy and my head clear.

Knitting makes me happy. I love going to the yarn store and picking out something beautiful from all the gorgeous varieties of wool, synthetics, cotton, alpaca, and bamboo. I enjoy the feel of it in my fingers and the warmth it creates. From picking out a pattern to casting on the first stitches to giving a loved one (or myself) a finished product, I love the whole process. I enjoy solitary knitting or with dear friends in my "craft group" which I have been doing for the last 20 plus years. Knitting keeps my hands busy and my head clear. I am a wife, mother, and grandmother. I am a retired occupational therapist who is loving this new stage in my life with the gift of time and health to pursue new interests and old. Travel, volunteering, exercise, grandchildren and family, reading and crafts fill my days.


Caroline is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She is a retired occupational therapist who is loving this new stage in her life with the gift of time and health to pursue interests, new and old. Travel, volunteering, exercise, grandchildren and family, reading and crafts fill her days.

I am a wife, mother, and grandmother.  I am a retired occupational therapist who is loving this new stage in my life with the gift of time and health to pursue new interests and old.  Travel, volunteering, exercise, grandchildren and family, reading and crafts fill my days.

The Picture of Happiness – Home

It’s The Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is Julie Jungman, she says:

The view from my back deck represents happiness, stability, and peace for me.
 
As I was growing up, my family moved every two years or so.  From ages 0-15, I lived in six states, eight cities, and eleven houses.  I attended four different elementary schools, and started a new school in a new city for 6th grade, 8th grade, and 10th grade.  So, okay, you get it–I moved a lot!
 
For me, buying a home with my husband represented the first time I was able to establish roots of my own.  We have lived at our home in Erie, Colorado since we were first married; this fall will be eleven years.
 
Though lots has changed for us since we bought our home (we’ve become parents to two kids since then!), our deck and view have remained a continued source of happiness for me.

Views + Home + Family = Happiness for Julie Jungman

Views + Home + Family = Happiness for Julie Jungman

Julie Julie is married to a great guy named Chris and is mom to Cora (5) and Colin (2). She works at a job she loves, providing integrated behavioral health at primary care offices for Boulder Community Health. Julie likes to bake, read, and watch mindless TV like Top Chef and Project Runway.

Julie is married to a great guy named Chris and is mom to Cora (5) and Colin (2). She works as a licensed clinical social worker, providing integrated behavioral health at primary care offices for Boulder Community Health. Julie likes to bake, read, and watch mindless TV like Top Chef and Project Runway.