A story: "Freaking out with joy"

You may have noticed a theme in some of my posts... a reference to the phrase "Freaking out with joy".  I think it may be helpful to explain where this came from so you understand why it's so meaningful to me.

About a year ago, I attended a phenomenal Women's leadership conference in New York City.  The organizers put together a phenomenal lineup of incredibly successful females, and each speaker was better than the last... I learned so much, felt so empowered, and was mentally and physically rejuvenated.

One of the most impactful things that I still remember to this day, almost a year later, is a story told by Betsy Myers. She was recounting how her daughter, Madison, who, at the age of four, was enrolled in soccer, ballet, piano and other after school activities.  At one point, Madison begged her mother "Mommy, please don't overschedule me!"

Mom (Betsy) said OK and backed off... Finally, at age six, Madison decided she wanted to be a dancer... while trying on leotards, Madison turned to her mother, hopping up and down from excitement, glowing and grinning from ear to ear, and exclaimed "Mommy, this is what I want to do.  I am freaking out with joy!"

....

I feel so strongly that we should all be "freaking out with joy" in our lives...  If we're not "freaking out with joy," we need to find something that makes us "freak out with joy." 

This story hit me to the core.  It took me several more months to truly realize why, but this one simple phrase from a six year old became my new personal mantra.

Those four words are so powerful and yet so simple.  Of COURSE I should be happy!  Of COURSE I should be excited to do what I want to do!  Of COURSE I should love my life!!! Naturally!

And yet... so many of us live our lives, day to day, ignoring the big picture, and brushing off maybe not unhappiness, but not quite happiness, either... 

As you know, I began to plan out what I needed to do to correct why I wasn't happy, and what I needed to do to be happy.  And I'm making my change.

So that's why I love the phrase, and why I, just like everyone else, deserve to be "freaking out with joy."