Lesson 555: The Road to Happiness

Hello, Readers.

Eloise here,

writing from Happy Street.

We are celebrating daughter Ellen Louise's 

18 years of life this weekend.

Daughter #2 popped into the world on 

September 22, 2000.

She was a Y2K baby.

Can you recall what that was?

Born exactly on her due date,

at 11:11 pm,

she came into this world on the day we wished it--

cousin Ben's 20th birthday.

My in-laws could then say

their oldest and youngest grandchildren were exactly 20 years apart.

As Ellen enters adulthood, 

Mother Eloise contemplated the advice I'd give her.

I first asked myself the question,

What do I want for my daughter?

I think my answer is similar to most:

I want her to be happy.

So, how do you get to happy, Ellen Louise?

There are no maps to the endpoint,

because the endpoint does not exist.

Don't think of Happy as a destination you reach,

think of it as an enjoyable journey.

Happiness is built,

and I hope you thoroughly enjoy laying the bricks 

along your yellow brick road.

I know what makes you happy.

I have visual proof

because I surfed your pin boards on Pinterest.

Pinterest pin boards tell stories of their own.

Happy little girls 

with red head scarves 

near camels make you happy.

You've learned the words 

encourage

and courage

mean a whole lot.

You know happiness is built 

from not missing the moments.

Always be present to capture them.

Nothing builds a happy life like serving others with 

the gifts God gave you.

You have chosen a perfect path of study.

Speech Pathology suits you well.

Happiness comes from loving animals.

Even elephants.

The Road to Happiness truly is a no end destination,

so enjoy the journey.

I hope your ride is at least a century long.

This book is going to appear on your bedside table soon.

The Road to Character is a path to follow, too.

If you aren't up for reading,

then I encourage you to check out 

Oprah's Super Soul Sunday podcast with Shawn Anchor.

He teaches Positive Psychology at Harvard

and I find his work fascinating.

Weekend homework in honor of Ellen's birthday for EVERYONE,

not just Ellen:

Check out Shawn Anchor's 12 minute TED Talk.

It is clever and funny and fast paced.

It's happiness in a nutshell.

What better a song to choose for your 18th birthday video

than The Road to Happiness

by Cam.

Happy birthday, dear sweet Ellen Louise.

Enjoy the journey.

Mother Eloise