Making Happy
January 11, 2008 Inspiration
Okay, so tonight's "20/20" sucked me in. I had the TV on for background noise, but within minutes I moved to the recliner from the kitchen table (where I was preparing to resume editing the podcast I will be posting this weekend). I wanted a clear view of the TV for this one.
It was about happiness. And we all want to be happy, right?
It was great to hear that scientific research backs the theory that happiness is a choice. Now, I've had my share of unhappy moments. Heck, I basically spent a good part of my 20s spinning my wheels, trying to figure out my purpose in life. You know pondering those big, massive questions that can keep an impatient woman up at night, tossing and turning and stressing out about the meaning of life. Some call it a "Quarter LIfe Crisis." Mine lasted 8.5 years.
After life kicked a little dust in my eyes, I finally decided it was time to pick myself up and surrender to the universe. I threw my big cradle to grave life plan in the air and decided to trust that things would work out if I just chilled out a bit and made a point to actively seek joy every day no matter what.
So I dusted off my list of pie-in-the-sky and every day things I want to do before I kick off and started to check things off. I figured if I started heading in the direction I wanted go, I'd be closer to my dreams than if I continued to swim laps in a pool of frustration for another 8.5 years.
And wouldn't you know, "Operation Get Happy" actually worked.
CraftSanity, my long-winded, homemade podcast, was conceived during this particularly creative time in my life. I was on maternity leave from my reporting gig and feeling inspired, exhausted and totally conflicted about my future. My husband, a super geek, suggested that I start a craft podcast. He helped me post the first show in January 2006. (Thankfully, I've improved a bit since then.) At the time I wasn't sure there would be a second show. Then a funny thing happened. I started getting supportive e-mails from people around the globe. Immediately, I felt like my world had expanded. At long last I had found a way to blend two things I love: talking and crafting.
Fast forward to the present and I'm still podcasting. I don't benefit financially from the podcast, but what I get in return is better than money. I don't know if this happens to Barbara when she interviews celebrities, but I actually feel high on life after most CraftSanity interviews. Ask my husband. He's probably lost count of how many times I've wrapped up a super long interview and rejoined the family downstairs only to throw both hands over my head and declare: "That rocked!"
Chatting about art and craft makes me that happy. No joke.
I know, my enthusiasm seems a bit over-the-top to some. And I recognize it's kind of weird to act like I just got offered a real craft talk show gig and an Oprah camera crew is at my door to catch my reaction to the fact that "O" herself wants me produce CraftSanity for her satellite radio network. (A girl can dream, can't she?!) But the truth is I really do enjoy what I do.
There are better, more professional podcasts out there produced by tech gods and other nice people who can correctly pronounce the word "Oregon" without stressing about it. But I can tell you that my little show is produced with some serious craft love. I enjoy discussing life and art and craft with people from all walks of life and I feel very blessed that Jeff, my husband and life partner, continues to provide the unconditional love and tech support I need to make that possible. (You rock, honey!! Thank you!)
Part of being happy is counting our blessings. So today I count all the wonderful people who have shared their stories with me and all the folks at home who listen in while crafting or washing dishes or riding the subway. Even though I don't know most of you, it means a great deal to me that you like the show enough to keep listening. Thanks for being such a wonderful audience. Just the thought of someone laughing out loud while listening to me laugh with a guest, makes me want to throw my hands up in the air and yell: "This rocks!" Because it totally does.
Thank you for two great years! (CraftSanity officially turns 2 on Jan. 23, but I'm thanking you now because I'm too impatient to wait until then.)
I'm about to start recording some new interviews, so email me to let me know who you'd like to hear from next.
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