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:
