Best Self Magazine

Chasing Happy: 3 Steps to Life-Long Transformation

Chasing Happy: 3 Steps to Life-Long Transformation, by Shannon Talbot. Photograph of woman running with balloons by Izf.
Photograph by Izf

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Chasing dreams and happiness is not just folly for kids — it’s real and possible for you, if you’re willing to do the inner and outer work

It started with a simple question: “Mommy, can I give you a goal this year?”

At the time I was working long stressful hours leading a large client relationship for an advertising agency while balancing having two young kids at home during the pandemic. To say I was short on patience and sleep is an understatement, but every day I blocked off time at lunch to take my sons to the park.

It was at the park when my youngest, then five, asked me the question that would change my career and my life. “Mommy,

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