The Picture of Happiness – The Jersey Shore

We’re into June, but the Pictures of Happiness keep coming!

Today’s guest is Dr. Jen Harned Adams, she says:

Ocean City, NJ is my happy place! Although I moved away from the east coast almost 20 years ago, “the shore” has always had a special place in my heart and I have many happy memories of spending part of my summers there as a child. Now that I am a mom, we travel as a family back to OCNJ each summer, creating new memories every year.

JA

Jen is a clinical psychologist specializing in women's health, who works in private practice and consults for Presbyterian/ St Luke's Hospital in Denver, CO. She loves spending time with her kiddos and husband, and one wild yellow lab. Always interested in learning something new, she's decided to learn to play tennis this summer!

Jen is a clinical psychologist specializing in women’s health, who works in private practice and consults for Presbyterian/ St Luke’s Hospital in Denver, CO. She loves spending time with her kiddos and husband, and one wild yellow lab. Always interested in learning something new, she’s decided to learn to play tennis this summer!

The Picture of Happiness – Jogging

It’s the Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is accountant Thuy Le, she says:

An early morning jog outdoors makes me happy!!…At home in beautiful Colorado, and especially in a new place while on vacation!  I get to breathe in the fresh air, look up and enjoy all the natural beauty around me, and I think to myself, how lucky I am to be here and in this moment!  This picture was taken during a jog in Kona, Hawaii. 

TL

I'm a mom of two: Son 14, daughter, 10.  I am an accountant, working full-time from home, for an insurance premium audit company in Connecticut.  I enjoy spending time with my family, jogging, baking/cooking, shopping, and traveling.

I’m a mom of two: Son 14, daughter, 10. I am an accountant, working
full-time from home, for an insurance premium audit company in
Connecticut. I enjoy spending time with my family, jogging,
baking/cooking, shopping, and traveling.

The Picture of Happiness – Gardening

It’s The Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is Lanae Davis, she says:

Spring time gardening makes me happy!  We love to get our vegetable garden started early indoors, water it and watch the seedlings sprout up.  And when spring arrives, we transplant these seedlings outside to the garden! 

Warm weather + seedlings = happiness for Lanae Davis

Warm weather + seedlings = happiness for Lanae Davis

Lanae Davis M.P.A., is a Research Associate at the Center for Policy Research in Denver, Colorado.  Since 1997, Ms. Davis has worked with numerous State and local government agencies to implement, execute and evaluate innovative strategies to improve the lives of low-income families in Colorado and across the nation.  Ms. Davis has co-authored articles on her research related to employment, re-entry and access and visitation programs that serve low income  parents in Family Court Review, Corrections Today and Child Support Report.  Lanae is a wife and mother to her two beautiful children, Meadow and Kash and lives in Broomfield.  In her free time she loves to enjoy the beautiful Colorado mountains with her family by hiking, skiing and is an avid runner and triathlete.

Lanae Davis M.P.A., is a Research Associate at the Center for Policy Research in Denver, Colorado. Since 1997, Ms. Davis has worked with numerous state and local government agencies to implement, execute and evaluate innovative strategies to improve the lives of low-income families in Colorado and across the nation. Ms. Davis has co-authored articles on her research related to employment, re-entry and access and visitation programs that serve low income parents in Family Court Review, Corrections Today and Child Support Report. Lanae is a wife and mother to her two beautiful children, Meadow and Kash and lives in Broomfield. In her free time she loves to enjoy the beautiful Colorado mountains with her family by hiking, skiing and is an avid runner and triathlete.

The Picture of Happiness – Mornings

It’s The Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is photographer Jenni Lillie, she says:

This photograph is called Joy in the Morning. When there are difficult times in our lives and the darkness seems like it will overtake us, the sun comes back up and at some point there is joy again. Flowers make me happy.

Mornings + flowers = happiness for photographer Jenni Lillie

Mornings + flowers = happiness for photographer Jenni Lillie

Jenni is a wife, mom, photographer and art lover. To check out more of her work, check out her website.

Jenni is a wife, mom, photographer and art lover. To check out more of her work, check out her website.

The Picture of Happiness – Wrapping Gifts

It’s The Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is Dr. Linda Baker, she says:

I am a full-time clinical psychologist and a part-time jewelry shop owner/refurbisher/photographer at Chainsaw & Co.  I get very excited by the concept and act of gift-giving, which likely explains my insistence on uniquely hand-wrapping each item that is sold.  As I’m wrapping, I imagine the receiver opening their gift and this makes me feel delightfully well-nourished.

Gift-Giving + Hand-Wrapping = Happiness for Dr. Linda Baker

Gift-Giving + Hand-Wrapping = Happiness for Dr. Linda Baker

Linda Baker, PsyD is the owner of Unstuck Therapy, a private psychotherapy and assessment practice in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Denver.  Unstuck Therapy has been featured on ManTherapy.org and AllTreatment.com highlighting specialty areas including men’s issues, secondary trauma, adolescent mental health, and depression.  These days, Linda enjoys prose, pop culture, fashion, and humans of all varieties.

Linda Baker, PsyD is the owner of Unstuck Therapy, a private psychotherapy and assessment practice in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Denver. Unstuck Therapy has been featured on ManTherapy.org and AllTreatment.com highlighting specialty areas including men’s issues, secondary trauma, adolescent mental health, and depression. These days, Linda enjoys prose, pop culture, fashion, and humans of all varieties.

The Picture of Happiness – Pieces of Heaven

It’s The Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is Mandy Baron, she says:

There are lots of things that make me happy, but seeing rays through the clouds is one of my favorites!  It feels like a little piece of heaven is shining down for me.  Sometimes in my crazy chaotic life it is a great reminder to slow down, take a deep breath, and enjoy the beauty all around.   

Sunbeams + reminders to slow down = happiness for Mandy Baron

Sunbeams + reminders to slow down = happiness for Mandy Baron

Mandy Baron is a dental hygienist, wife and mom of three young boys.  She and her family are currently living in Germany.

Mandy Baron is a dental hygienist, wife and mom of three young boys. She and her family are currently living in Germany.

The Picture of Happiness – Traveling

It’s The Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is Dr. Debbie Sorenson, she says:

Very little gives me as much sense of vitality as the adventure of traveling abroad. My husband and I make a priority of taking a trip to another country every few years if we can. I love researching and planning a trip, learning about new cultures and places, and getting outside of my comfort zone for a while. And I always enjoy having the memories of each trip to carry with me for years to come! This is an iguana I photographed on the beach during my most recent trip abroad, which was to Costa Rica.

Traveling abroad = happiness for Dr. Debbie Sorenson

Traveling abroad = happiness for Dr. Debbie Sorenson

Debbie Sorensen is a clinical psychologist who lives and works in Denver, Colorado. She has one daughter and another one on the way. In addition to travel, she enjoys reading, cooking, and camping.

Dr. Debbie Sorensen is a clinical psychologist who lives and works in Denver, Colorado. She has one daughter and another one on the way. In addition to travel, she enjoys reading, cooking, and camping.

The Picture of Happiness – Running

It’s The Picture of Happiness month!

Today’s guest is Dr. Amy Greenamyer, she says:

This picture is of my medals from 3 full marathons and 8 half marathons. It makes me happy to look at these because of words that have echoed in my head since I was 11-years-old.  As the middle school track coach cut me from the team on the second day of practice, he said, “You are too slow to be a sprinter, too short to jump, and can’t run worth a crap for any distance.” I gave up on ever being an athlete after that.

In late November 2006, my friend JJ suggested we run a marathon. I laughed at her. I told her I “couldn’t” run and had “proof” in the form of my former coach’s assessment. She laughed at me and told me to start training with her. Knowing my friend, resistance was futile. So, I started to train.

There were points in that first marathon, and in every race since, that I wanted to quit, puke, die or all three. But, JJ helped keep me going. My family and multitudes of strangers along the course helped me keep going. And, oddly enough, my track coach helped me keep going; I had to prove him wrong. Crossing the finish line was pure bliss! Everything on me hurt. My toenails later fell out. I smelled. But, in that final step over the line, I became a marathoner. An athlete.

Now I have a wall full of medals and feel the same delight and pride as I cross the finish line. I’m not fast—in order for my finish times to qualify for the Boston Marathon I’d have to be 90 years old. I walk sometimes, or a lot of the time, depending on the race. But I finish. And I smile every time I do.

Proving old coaches wrong + inspiration from a friend = happiness for Dr. Amy Greenamyer

Proving an old coach wrong + inspiration from a friend + running a marathon = happiness for Dr. Amy Greenamyer

 Amy Greenamyer is a licensed psychologist and co-owner of Green Line Wellness in Louisville, Kentucky. She and her husband are the proud parents of a daughter and son. They also have a rescued dog who is now a therapy dog at Amy’s practice.


Amy Greenamyer is a licensed psychologist and co-owner of Green Line Wellness in Louisville, Kentucky. She and her husband are the proud parents of a daughter and son. They also have a rescue dog who is now a therapy dog at Amy’s practice.

The Picture of Happiness – Imperfect Seashells and Beautiful Friends

It’s The Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is Karyn Dundorf, she says:

Lately, I have come to realize that there is much beauty to be found in the imperfect.  I recently went on a trip to Clearwater, FL for a reunion of some college friends.  Instead of one of the myriad of pictures of perfect sunsets, white sand beaches, or (other people) in bikinis, I am posting a picture of a broken shell.  My friends and I are not nearly as fresh and perfect as we seemed when were 18 year-olds full of idealism and wonder.  Life has happened.  We have more wrinkles and less idealism but more wisdom and depth.  I found each of my friends more beautiful and precious than I used to.  It’s funny, I’m able to see the beauty in them, but it’s much harder to look at my own “failings” with any love.  I kept this broken shell of a reminder that there is true beauty that comes out of brokenness.  I look at the shell every day and when I do, I think of my beautiful friends.  It is a reminder to treasure people, including myself, as they are instead of what/where they are “supposed” to be.

KB

Wise friends + life’s imperfections = happiness for Karyn Dundorf

KB1

Karyn is a once engineer, now stay at home mom to three kids 6 and under in Boulder, Colorado.

The Picture of Happiness – My Grandmother’s Purse

It is The Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is Kelly Behling, she says:

This purse was my grandmother’s, and every time I use it I think about all of the good memories I have of her.  I was told once by a woman at an antique store that it was too old and too valuable to actually use, but the joy it brings me on a special night out far outweighs the monetary value.

Memories of Grandma + Her Special Purse = Happiness for Kelly Behling

Memories of Grandma + Her Special Purse = Happiness for Kelly Behling

My name is Kelly Behling, and I am Dr. Stephanie's younger sister.  My husband and I live in Westminster, CO and I am on my way to becoming an environmental engineer.  In my free time I love to hike, craft, read, and explore local breweries.

This is Kelly Behling climbing the Rocky Mountains.  She is currently in graduate school at the University of Colorado studying to become an environmental engineer.  In her free time she loves to hike, craft, read and explore local breweries.