Logo_JBL_MarkOnlyHi Friends! The focus of my work is empowering women to see that being happy is a choice that we all have to make.  Everyday.  That’s why I’m so excited to be a Happiness Crusader and joining over 100 women in spreading the message of #ChoosingHappiness to women around the world.  In today’s post I share how I chose happiness in the midst of life’s messiness by answering a few questions from my inspiring friend best-selling Publisher Linda Joy. Today is the official release of her new book Inspiration for a Woman’s Soul: Choosing Happiness featuring the soul-inspiring stories of 27 amazing women who share their intimate stories of transformation. Choosing Happiness also includes Reflection Questions after each story which will empower you to integrate the vital lessons of each woman’s journey into your own life.

For a limited time you can get over 40 transformational gifts with your copy of Choosing HappinessGrab your copy todayhttp://bit.ly/Happiness_Book

Q: Was there a pivotal moment in your life when you realized that your happiness was an internal choice that could be made despite your outside circumstances?

 More than a moment, it was a process.  Not so long ago, I left my 20-year corporate career to start my own business as a life coach.  I was confident that financial success would be quick and clients would be knocking down my door. Underneath that confidence, however, was the fear that I would be a failure and would to give up and go back to my corporate job.  As the months passed and I struggled to get my business off the ground, I came to understand that I would only be a failure if and when I gave up and went back to my corporate job.  A few months later, when it seemed like little had gone like I’d planned, I finally realized that I would only be a failure if that’s what I chose to believe about myself.  This my life.  Nothing can make me a failure at my own life.  Except me.  Once I had this moment, I realized that true happiness was choosing to see the joy and beauty in life no matter what seemed to going “wrong” all around me.  I began #ChoosingHappiness regardless of whether I was a life coach or a mother or a corporate queen because none of those things actually define who I am. And I am so freaking happy.

Q: How do you remind yourself that happiness is always within and catch your footing in those whirlwind moments of life that can throw us off balance?

 Whenever I notice that I starting to get stressed or anxious or starting to raise my voice, I pause and ask myself, “What’s the story I am telling myself about this situation?  What story could I choose to tell myself instead?”  This puts the power back in my hands to see myself as the hero in my own story rather than the victim.

Q: What is your personal definition of happiness today?

 Happiness to me is when I am relaxed, at ease and jubilantly present in the moment… no matter what.

 Q. Share three things that bring you happiness.

 My three boys – Aidan, Ian and Linus – are my source of greatest joy.  After that, relaxing with my husband, practicing yoga, and being a happiness coach for other spiritually awakened women all make me leap for joy.

Thanks to my friend, Publisher Linda Joy, for these inspiring questions! I invite you to share how you choosing happiness moment in the comments below.

Be sure to check out Linda’s new book, Inspiration for a Woman’s Soul: Choosing Happiness and grab your copy today at http://bit.ly/Happiness_Book to receive the bonus gift bundle worth thousands!

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