Lisa Cypers Kamen

Mom, Felicitator, Lover of Life

WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?

Happiness is an inside job.

WHAT’S ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND?

Mind—A Journey to the Heart of Being Human by Daniel J. Siegel, MD, and Atlas Obscura—An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders by Joshua Foer, Dylan Thuras & Ella Morton.

WHAT GIVES YOU GOOSE BUMPS?

Feeling the sun kiss my cheek in a stolen moment of solitude.

WHAT IS YOUR BAD DAY BACKUP PLAN?

Fake it until I make it. It’s true, emotion follows action.

WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR?

My children, my family, my voice, and getting to do what I love to do through service.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?

When I put my head down on my pillow each night feeling as though I have given the day my best. That I showed up for life fully and completely. Watching my children grow and evolve into their best selves.

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

Many years ago a wise elderly mentor told me that we can’t always have wind in our metaphoric sails. Sometimes we just need a willingness to be still and wait for the gusts to guide us where we need to go.

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GIVEN?

To trust and know we can’t always have wind in our metaphoric sails. Sometimes we just need a willingness to be still and wait for the gusts to guide us where we need to go.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW THAT YOU ARE EXCITED ABOUT?

My new book Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys for Unlocking a Joyful Life will be published on March 20, 2017 which just happens to coincide with the United Nation’s International Day of Happiness.

HOW DO YOU PRESS PAUSE?

I go for hike.

WHAT DID YOUR 8-YEAR-OLD SELF LOVE DOING?

Hiking, horseback riding, and archery.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE MAGIC POWER WHAT WOULD IT BE?

To fly.

WHAT MAKES YOU FORGET TO EAT?

Being in flow doing any activity I love = rapture.

WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU GRAB IN A FIRE?

This actually happened to me many years ago and this is what I did grab: My two kids and as many photos as we could carry.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE – YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE?

Walking my “happiness is an inside job” talk as a result of losing everything during the recession in 2008 including my marriage, homes, investments, wealth, social standing, and my sense of security. At the time, I had recently finished graduate school for my master’s degree in spiritual psychology and had been a very privileged stay-at-home mom who suddenly found herself without a home or financial resources. And, I discovered a vast amount of previously untapped rich internal fortitude.

Fortunately, I had not lost my mind, humor, intelligence, or fierce determination to rebuild a life of deeper meaning and redefined prosperity for my family. I pulled myself (and my kids) through a set of very traumatic circumstances and began building a business based on cultivating sustainable happiness, well-being, and human flourishing in service to those who are challenged by adversity.

As a result of the worst period of my life, I discovered the best parts of myself and got very busy making a shift happen. I founded Harvesting Happiness, a lifestyle management consultancy devoted to supporting those experiencing life-crises such as addiction, trauma, medical emergencies, divorce, legal matters, and other significant struggles such as empty-nesting, aging parents, and death.

My biggest challenge also turned out to be my greatest invitation to unleash my creativity through writing books, making documentary films, and hosting Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio, a globally syndicated podcast series profiling a variety of thought-leaders and change-agents offering tips and strategies to help others thrive with greater passion, purpose, place, and meaning in their lives.

My hardest (and scariest) challenge turned out to be one of the greatest opportunities for growth, transcendence, and transformation. This was a most valuable gift that money could not buy.

FAVORITE WORD? WHY?

Rapture. When I feel rapture, I experience the epitome of a complete and total present moment. I am grounded right here, right now without regret about the past or worry about the future. Rapture is the sublime combination of supreme ecstasy, bliss, euphoria, elation, joy, enchantment, delight, and happiness all rolled up into one juicy experience. It’s about being rather than doing.

FAVORITE WORK OF ART? WHY?

Life. It’s the most creative canvas I can imagine.

FAVORITE BOOK? WHY?

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It’s hands down one of the smallest, smartest and most no non-sense handbooks for life. Be impeccable you’re your word. Don’t take anything personally. Don’t make assumptions. Always do your best. Smart, very smart.

To learn more about Lisa, visit her website to tune in to Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio, and follow her on:

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Mickey Boardman

Editor, Shopaholic, Vegetarian

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Feeling Down Post-Election? Tap into Your Resilience Reserves

Since Tuesday, I have heard from patients, friends, and co-workers who are having a difficult time processing the outcome of the election. While I cannot make your pain go away, I want to share some thoughts on how to stay strong during this challenging time. You are more resilient than you know, and now is the moment to tap into your resilience reserves.

1. Get Out of Bed

As tempting as it may be to hide under your duvet and not go to work or class, this will only exacerbate how bad you feel. Maintaining your routine during a difficult time is one of the best ways to get through it. Make your bed. Brush your teeth. Take your exams. Go to the office. Attend to your responsibilities. You will feel stronger within your stress.

2. Hit the Trail

Take inspiration from that image of Hillary Clinton hiking in the woods with her dogs two days after the election. Nature is one of the best remedies for heartbreak and sadness.

3. Take Care of Yourself

Inhaling a tub of ice cream, drinking tequila, and staying up late may numb the pain in the moment but erode the resiliency reserves you need. Prioritize sleep, eating well, and exercise. You are in charge of these choices. On that note…

4. Recognize What You Can and Can’t Control

There are events and things in life that are beyond your control. Focus your time and energy on what you have control over — like your actions, your attitude, your generosity, and your forgiveness.

5. Be the Change

Embrace learning mode and action mode, not hate mode. When difficulty arises, stress-hardy people ask themselves, “What can I learn from this?” Along these lines, be informed. Don’t rely on soundbites and social media. Make the extra effort to seek out reliable sources.

6. The Power of Words

Use language that reflects your values and that empowers you. Language that communicates helplessness, hopelessness, and hate undermines resilience and progress.

7. Be Your Best Self

If there was ever a moment to be the best version of yourself it is now. If you embrace compassion, empathy, tolerance and integrity, it will bring out the best in others. Starbucks CEO Howard Schulz’s letter to his employees captures the value of compassion at this critical moment:

Start today by recognizing the power we have to walk in someone else’s shoes, to demonstrate understanding, and to strip away the differences that divide us. Let’s each embrace the universal virtues of respect and dignity, refusing to allow the hatred on cable news, the ugliness of our politics, and the lack of political role models for our kids to define us and to dictate how we treat each other.

8. Focus on the Future

There is no benefit in wallowing in why or what if. For your friends, for your family, for your country and perhaps most importantly, for those you don’t know, be a force that helps our country move in a positive direction. Every year, two years and four years, you have the Constitutional privilege to vote again.

As Schulz concludes:

Rise above this moment to be the person that makes a positive difference in your neighborhood and community. Be the person who makes your family proud. Be the person who embodies the promise of America so others may see and feel the possibilities that come with being an American.

I wish you all the best,

Dr. Samantha Boardman

Wendi Murdoch

Relentlessly curious…

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How Much Does Happiness Cost?

We know that money can’t buy you happiness.

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I wish you all the best,

Dr. Samantha Boardman

What Can You Control?

Let go of the things that are beyond your control and focus on these instead:

1. Your Attention

Think of your attention as a flashlight. What do you want to shine it on?

2. Your Actions

How are you spending your time? Do things that matter and that reflect your values.

3. Your Breath

It’s easy to take breathing for granted but breathing is a powerful and simple tool to help calm the mind and regulate emotions.

4. Your Circle

You cannot change people but you can choose and cultivate relationships with people who bring out the best in you.

5. Your Diet

Every bite you take can either fortify or deplete you. Skip the afternoon donut and actively decide to make healthy choices.

6. Your Generosity

Make the effort to be kind and to give to others.

7. Your Time

If you spend your free time binge-watching TV or flipping through Instagram, remember this is a choice YOU are making.

8. Forgiveness

As the old saying goes, “Life becomes easier when you learn to accept an apology you never got.”

9. Your Activity

Do you take the stairs or the elevator? Seemingly small decisions to build more activity into your day can make a big difference in your physical and mental health.

All these things are within your power to control. Make the most of them.

I wish you all the best,

Dr. Samantha Boardman

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