Last week, my daughter invited me to hear Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love speak about her travels and writing. I had read the book and seen the movie, so I jumped at the chance to hear her experiences.

The woman has a way with words. She speaks and writes to women’s deepest feelings. Her experiences to overcome a broken heart, to decide what she wanted in life, and to restore faith in herself to accomplish her goals are an inspiration to me. I too took a journey after a divorce. I went to college and earned degrees that provided me a rewarding teaching career and allowed me to follow my dream of writing. Granted, travel would have been more fun, but then I was too practical to indulge in something so frivolous, at least frivolous to me.

I learned through my journey, as Gilbert did through hers, that happiness cannot be found. We create our own happiness by believing in and respecting ourselves. By allowing time for and treating ourselves with kindness. This year, I plan to add to my happiness by allowing time to indulge, to dance, to laugh. I encourage you to do the same.

Happy Valentine’s Day!