Sarkozy is pushing for Gross National Happiness Measure!

"Sarkozy is calling for a "revolution" in the way economic growth is measured so that happiness and well-being can be included in measurements. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool).

This statement is amazing and fantastic. We are working furiously on finishing our book, From Rat Race to Change of Pace - a storyguidebook about creating the life you want to live through our time in the south of France. His statement is a phenomenal sign that what we are saying is supported by the world. Read a few excerpts listed on our website.

If Sarkozy can convince the other G-20 to sign up for this proposal it will be earthshaking. To move away from just measuring Gross National Product to Gross National Happiness and Well-being will be life changing for the world.

A little taste of independence

Today, Zoe-Pascale (our daughter) flew with her 5th grade class to San Diego Sea Camp for 6 nights. It is the first time that she is away from both Jean and me for more than 2 days. It is the first time that we have been in our house together without her since she was born almost ten years ago. (I'm not sure if that says more about us or her).

To prepare for camp, I spent four hours on Saturday labeling every piece of clothing, sock, underwear, and item she was bringing. I've decided this is a ritual for the kids and parents to prepare them for the separation. As I labeled, a little bit of me had to let go. As we packed together, a little bit of her had to let go. In the corner of the suitcase, we stuck a photo of all of us along with a stuffed dog and a book-- each item symbolic of something she loved. That afternoon we all took a long walk holding hands and enjoying the time together as she told us how her 5th grade class was like one big family--- and she was going on a trip with her school family. What a wonderful way to feel about her class!

The night before she left we cuddled in bed, reading and snuggling and reminding her we would be sitting on her shoulders. Reminding ourselves she would be sitting on our shoulders.

Arriving at the airport at 7am she was high as a kite, excited and ready to go. Twenty sets of parents with coffee cups in their hands actively checked in their kids, and waved our final goodbyes at security (when did you last wave someone goodbye at security?) Twenty sets of parents saw how our kids had grown up. Just seven years ago they had all started Maternelle (K1 or preschool in the French system) together and now they were flying off without us. Today they were global travelers, each and every one, and leaving the nest for the first time on their own. What amazed us all was how strong, how eager, how excited they all were to go off with their "5th grade class family." A giant leap in independence.

For us, we are taking advantage of every "R" rated movie we can go see this week and the extra time we will have for the two of us to talk alone each night.

Other than that we will count the hours until we can pick her up again on Friday night and cuddle with her again.

Wake Up and Get out with the Sunrise

We are now entering the last month when we still feel that the days are somewhat long. Take advantage of it and get up, get out, and take some early morning walks before the day starts. It will make all the difference in your energy and focus for the rest of the day.

This morning I decided to heed my own words and laced up my running shoes as the sun was rising and everyone was still asleep. Leaving the house at 6:15 felt glorious. It was quiet, calm, and cool. With the dog in tow I stretched my legs, let my thoughts go free, and dumped all my worries in the nearby sea. I nodded hello to the few people I passed, but mostly focused on just moving my body and feeling energized. Yes, it takes extra effort to get up a little earlier and then rush to get everyone ready, but by 7:15 I knew my day was already better.

By 11, I noticed that I was more energized and focused. By 1pm, I was thrilled by what I had already accomplished in the day. By 3pm,  I hope to be done!

So try it! Take this month to enjoy the extra long day as before we know it the days will be shorter and we wonder where all the light has gone!

Creating the Life you want starts young

The principles of creating the life you want needs to start when hormones start to rage.  If we gave our tweens, teens, and young adults well researched tools for creating their lives and living their dreams wouldn't we all be better off.

I recently gave a speech in San Diego related to Creating the Lifestyle you Want. During the presentation a hand went up from a woman in the back. "Can you do this workshop for our teenage daughters?" they asked. "They are caught in this never ending spiral of competition, wanting to be like everyone else, doing what the "Lead girl" tells them to do and looking to please others before themselves. You have to come and teach this to them." she yelled.

Having an entering tween (almost 10) I personally am beginning to see the spiral she is talking about. The need to be like everyone else instead of follow their own views, beliefs, dreams, and likes. Yes, this is all part of growing up (and hasn't changed much since I was a teen), but somehow it seems to have taken on a new dimension. This is mirrored in the movies I watch with my daughter that always has a "popular girl" putting down other kids. The pecking order is easy to see and the blatant way in which girls pick on other girls and hurt each other is amazing in living color.

As parents, aunts, grandparents, friends, and teachers we all have a role in raising this next generation. Remembering that we need to continue to help build their self confidence and help them be who they want to be (not what someone else says they should be or do).

I wish it was all so simple, but it is not (growing up, I mean). We can however, help to make it easier and open up a dialogue and talk about dreams, goals, hopes --- this is at least a starting point.

Sunshine

Sunshine and summer are usually synonymous-- but not here just a smidgin north of the shining Golden Gate. If you live in parts of San Francisco Bay Area (where we are a few miles from from Golden Gate Bridge) the fog seems to take us over and never let up. Well, perhaps from 3-5pm we get a bit of sun, but not enough. Mark Twain's saying, "The coldest winter was the one I spent in San Francisco" rings so true this year. Yes, I have to admit it does depress me and before we lose sight that it is not the middle of winter we drive 5 miles north over the hill to see the blue skies. I am grateful I only have to drive 5 miles or maybe 10 on some days to find sunshine filled hills and hiking trails, but still to not wake up to sunshine in the summer is just not normal. Our time in the south of France spoiled us with its vibrant blue skies and sunshine from morning to night -- maybe global warming will move the fog away or maybe not-- maybe I just have to get out and drive the 5 or 10 or 15 miles to the sunshine hills and when the sun does come out at 3pm, I'll make sure I look up and say thank you -- for every little bit makes me happy.