Do you get irritated when you see happy people? You know the ones​ —​ the people who are always smiling. Always upbeat. Always humming as they work. You think sunshine and rainbows must hover over their home. You are certain they have a perfect life. The kind of life you want but just seeing them so unrealistically happy annoys you.
 
I teach people how to be happy. I give them tips and techniques to Love Your Life- No Matter What. I believe living with joy and happiness is a choice. I am one of those optimistic, look-at-the-bright-side happy people. It takes a lot to get me angry and even more to get me down. But it occasionally happens. Here is my point … even happy people get sad.
 
A couple of days ago I had a bad day. I couldn’t decide if I didn’t feel well, if I was sad, if I was lonely, if I was feeling sorry for myself, if I was tired, or if I was… well, a big combo of all of it.
It was a bad day.
 
So, I did the only thing I could think of. I put myself to bed. Like an over-tired 2-year-old, I needed to just close my eyes and let everything lift off my mind. I took a 2 ½ hour nap in the middle of the day – something I rarely do.
 
When I woke up my first inclination was to go back to sleep. Go back to that place of a blank mind, but instead, I stayed in bed and had a talk with myself. Of course, I went through my gratitude list of all the people and reasons I have in my life to be grateful and happy. I gave myself a stern, quit-feeling-sorry-for-myself lecture. I closed my eyes and began taking deep breaths. Not to go back to sleep, but to try to clear out the negative junk that was in my mind.
 
Then it came to me. No one is going to rush in and make me happy. No one is going to come to the rescue, wave a magic wand, and make me feel great. NO ONE CAN CREATE JOY FOR ME- except me! Joy is an inside job. My job. No one is going to do that for me.   
 
I teach happiness, but I still have an occasional bad, sad, no-good-rotten day. I have days when I need to listen to my own writings and practice my own tips and techniques.
 
I tell others, when you don’t know what to do – do nothing. For me, it was a 2 ½ hour nap to get me through my overwhelming confusion. What I do know for sure is being in stillness has a way of clarifying everything. Sometimes a nap and realigning how you look at things can go a long way to healing your heart and mind. It opens space for the answers you need and the guidance you should follow.
 
What I know to be true is that even happy people get sad. Sometimes those unrealistically happy people who annoy you are just better at covering their sadness with a smile. Sometimes those are the people you need to check in with. None of us get through life without times of sadness. For some people, times of sadness, grief, depression, and tragedy require professional help to walk with you through these times. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
 
But when you do have an occasional sad day, a down day, a rotten day, remember​ - joy is an inside job. No one can create joy for you except you.
                                               ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                                  Pennie’s Life Lesson:
                                            Even happy people get sad.
                                               ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

​YOUR TURN...        
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                                                                 Thank you!  ​
                                      ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                                         All Rights Reserved
                                          Copyright © 2013-2025 Pennie Hunt
                             This was written and produced by Pennie Hunt.
Feel free to forward and share this post.  Please keep the entire message intact, including  contact, logo, and copyright information.
#CornerofSpiritandBrave #LoveYourLifeNoMatterWhat #JourneyThrough #PennieHunt #IAmGoodEnough #grief #Love #Joy #HowToBeHappy #Happiness

I bet you have felt it. You aren’t motivated. You feel drained and exhausted. The enthusiasm you once had for your work is gone. You have lost interest in productivity or performance. You are stressed, overwhelmed, and you feel hide-in-the-closet hopeless!

You might add to that list physical problems like headaches and insomnia. You see yourself stepping away from social activities, procrastinating, and the person you see in the mirror is moody and irritable – even to you!

You have lost or gained weight because you are so busy and pressed for time that your diet has suffered. You skip meals or grab easy food and eat on the run. You may notice that food, caffeine, or alcohol has become a closer friend than it used to be.
You wonder if you are depressed, but you don’t have the energy or the power to concentrate long enough to research what is wrong, so you convince yourself that it is just YOU, and if you move faster and do more it will get better.

Here is a news flash. It isn’t YOU. All those symptoms can be bundled into one word- BURNOUT!

This state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress can be caused by work stress, family stress, caretaking of aging parents and/or children, or a combination of all of it. In our fast-paced world, “life” can cause burnout. Symptoms can vary but may include those I mentioned above – and more.

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. A recent article in Forbes stated that burnout is at an all-time high with 66% of America’s employees experiencing some level of burnout. I also wouldn’t leave out students, stay-at-home parents, and retirees. Burnout can strike all ages and stages of life.

So how do we balance our lives and begin living in bliss instead of burnout? How do we move from stress to simplicity? From havoc to happiness? From chaos to calm? How do we pursue the path from pressure to peace in our lives?

This is where you might be thinking I am ready to give you the golden ticket, the perfect solution, or the map that will guide you to reach that place of peace and bliss. I am sorry to say I don’t have a one-size-fits-all answer.

I have many decades of life experience. And yes, I have had more than one pocket of time that I experienced being frazzled or overtired – the words used years ago before burnout became popular. What I have learned is that some situations will change with time. When I was a stay-at-home mom with 3 young children, I had times when I thought I couldn’t change one more diaper, stay up one more night with a sick child, or manage one more fundraiser for their school. But I did and my children grew up. I look back at those days with love- it still makes me tired to think of it- but I cherish the sweetness of that time.

I also remember almost ten years of leading an organization, traveling, working 60-hour weeks, and commuting almost 2 hours every day. My burnout became real. When health issues and life tragedies hit me, I decreased my work time, decreased travel, and commuting, and began practicing self-care. 

What I stress to you is this- you must do what works for you. Pay attention to your body. Very little in life is worth giving up your health for. Make time to eat right and exercise. If you cannot cope or deal with depression, see a professional if needed. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and put yourself first.

Cut down your “Hafta” list. We believe we are indispensable and hafta do everything. There is very little in life that you hafta do! Yes, I realize most people have rent or a mortgage, so you hafta have an income and if you have babies – you hafta feed the babies! But take a deep look at everything on your hafta list and chisel it down!

Look at your job or career. Are you doing what you love? Is there a way to improve your current situation? Is your boss open to conversations about change? If none of this works, refresh your resume- it may be time to find success elsewhere.

It takes time to create a life you love, but it is possible. Finding the right balance between what you hafta do and what you enjoy doing is attainable. Burnout can make you feel like a failure or imposter, but you are not. You are just on the path from pressure to peace as you leave burnout behind.
Enjoy the journey!
                                   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
                                                    Pennie’s Life Lesson:
                                            Focus on what matters in life.
                                        Create a life of balance and peace.
                                   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

​YOUR TURN...        
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                                                                 Thank you!  ​
                                      ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                                         All Rights Reserved
                                          Copyright © 2013-2025 Pennie Hunt
                             This was written and produced by Pennie Hunt.
Feel free to forward and share this post.  Please keep the entire message intact, including  contact, logo, and copyright information.
#CornerofSpiritandBrave #LoveYourLifeNoMatterWhat #JourneyThrough #PennieHunt #IAmGoodEnough #grief #Love #Joy #HowToBeHappy #Happiness

I hear the word, era a lot lately. Most of us know that word as indicating a segment of geological time or describing a specific historical event.  

Maybe it was Taylor Swift’s Era Tour that had everyone thinking about the modern definition of era which is - a personal phase in your life characterized by a theme, behavior, or circumstance. The fluidity of this can last for minutes or a lifetime. A new era can begin when you embark on a new mindset or activity that embraces a particular lifestyle. This is often spurred by a significant life change, challenge, or achievement.

You may currently find yourself in a Lazy Era, a Boho Era, a Sporty Era, or A Boss Girl Era. If you are on a health plan it may be a Protein Shake Era. If you have suddenly found a love for a new hobby, it could be your Yoga Era or Artistic Era. If you end a relationship, you could find yourself back in your Single or Dating Era. You can name your era whatever you like, so be creative.

There is one era I am noticing that many people are falling into. The Worry Era. In the world we live in today uncertainty surrounds us. Change is happening at an accelerated speed.  Every day there are new advancements in AI and technology, so you might worry if they are good or bad.  

Weather changes, fires, floods, and blizzards may have you worrying about the devastating ramifications of these disasters.

Changes in leadership at your job, or on a governmental level may make you worried about what changes may affect your income, financial security, or life.

Add into this the common life worries of keeping your kids safe, ​your aging parents cared for, ​your health and the health of others, paying bills, etc.

The Worry Era is a dangerous one to be in. This kind of layering of worry on top of worry, on top of worry, can destroy your happiness and your health.

I have an idea. You have heard of the 80/20 rule where 80% of your productivity comes from 20% of your work. A twist on that is an example of dieting. If you eat healthy food 80% of the time, then 20% of the time you can splurge on sweets or not-so-healthy foods.

Let’s use that example for worry. What if you fed your mind positive, healthy upbeat, happy, and controlled thoughts 80% of the time and allowed yourself only 20% of the time for worry? If you are in the Worry Era, I suspect you are currently worrying much more than 20% of your time now. You are probably running a worrisome scenario through your mind constantly. Even if you are concentrating on work or an enjoyable event, there is a smaller area of your brain that is simultaneously running wild with thoughts of worry. Even this back burner of worry is detrimental to your health and well-being. It steals your joy!

Try to control your thoughts. Set a small amount of time aside to worry. Sit down and let your brain worry about everything for that small, restricted amount of time. Then shut it off and go back to living in a calmer, more content environment. When you control this worrying time, I think you will see just how much of your life you were spending on worry.

Get out of the Worry Era! Stop now and pick a new era that is much more fun and exciting. Can I interest you in a Pickle Ball Era or a Walking Era? Maybe an Adopt-a-New-Puppy Era or a Learning to Cook Era. A Dancing Era.
The Era’s are endless! What’s your pleasure?
                                 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                                    Pennie’s Life Lesson:
                     Don’t allow yourself to worry more than 20% of the time
                       and watch the other 80% of your life become more joyful. 
                                  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

​YOUR TURN...        
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                                                                 Thank you!  ​
                                      ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                                         All Rights Reserved
                                          Copyright © 2013-2025 Pennie Hunt
                             This was written and produced by Pennie Hunt.
Feel free to forward and share this post.  Please keep the entire message intact, including  contact, logo, and copyright information.
#CornerofSpiritandBrave #LoveYourLifeNoMatterWhat #JourneyThrough #PennieHunt #IAmGoodEnough #grief #Love #Joy #HowToBeHappy #Happiness

Have you had a boss who made an impression in your life? I have. This person wasn’t my favorite boss, we didn’t work together long, and we didn’t become lifelong friends. But in our short time together, this boss gave me something I will never forget – one question.
 
At the end of every workday, my boss would ask me, 
“Did you make progress today?”
 
There was rarely an inquiry as to what I was working on, how I was completing tasks, or what successes I could tout. Just one question that spurred a yes or no response- 
“Did you make progress today?”
 
Every day I would smile and simply say, “Yes.”
 
Decades have passed since we have worked together, but that one question embedded itself in a wrinkle of my brain. For years that question has popped into my thoughts when I need to hear it the most. When I am working on something that doesn’t seem to be moving fast enough or isn’t creating a sense of accomplishment or success, I ask myself that simple question- 
“Did you make progress today?”
 
It has become a wonderful version of positive self-talk. Instead of feeling like I have failed at something it creates a positive space for moving forward- even if it is a little at a time. Every movement forward is progress.
 
Wouldn’t that be a great concept to adopt for yourself? So often in life we are pushed to do more, be more, and accomplish more. No wonder we carry so much stress. No wonder the 2024 burnout rate of workers was the highest number ever with 40% of employees reporting feelings of burnout. No wonder in 2024 nearly 60 million Americans reported experiencing mental health illness. 
 
We are pushed to be perfect. Pushed by our companies, our bosses, our world, and ourselves. When will enough be enough? When will the search for perfection stop? When will we stop trying to be 100% perfect 100% of the time and just try to be a better person than the one we were yesterday? Let the magic of the compound effect work. A little better every day creates progress every day and will move you to the outcome you are reaching for. 
 
By thinking this way, we will make progress without living a life filled with damaging stress. We will be moving at the speed we need to move at and making the progress we are supposed to be making. It might turn out to be more progress than you thought you could make.
 
If you are a boss, try this with your employees. If you are a parent, try this with your kids. Most importantly, begin trying this yourself. At the end of every day look in the mirror and ask yourself this question,
“Did you make progress today?”
 
All those years ago I doubt that my boss knew what an impact this one question would make on my life. But little by little, day by day it did.
And yes, I made progress!
​
                        ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                     Pennie’s life lesson:
                         "Today don't try to be perfect.
               Just try to be a little better than the person
                                 you were yesterday."
                   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~​

​YOUR TURN...        
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                                                                 Thank you!  ​
                                      ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                                         All Rights Reserved
                                          Copyright © 2013-2025 Pennie Hunt
                             This was written and produced by Pennie Hunt.
Feel free to forward and share this post.  Please keep the entire message intact, including  contact, logo, and copyright information.
#CornerofSpiritandBrave #LoveYourLifeNoMatterWhat #JourneyThrough #PennieHunt #IAmGoodEnough #grief #Love #Joy #HowToBeHappy #Happiness