“When was I the happiest?  Simple.  It was when I was dreaming.”

One of the biggest happiness tips I can offer is to plan a future event that you can look forward to.  I need this in my life.  If I don’t have something I am anticipating- be it a trip, an athletic event, an adventure- I find myself falling into a funk.

Currently I have:

• Grayson Highlands 50k (this weekend!!!!)
• A possible Linville Gorge backpacking trip
• Friends from Iowa coming out to be involved in something I’m dubbing “the Chris Ward badass tour of Virginia”
• A GIANT scary life-changing move

The events themselves are awesome, but part of the fun is simply the anticipation- the planning, the researching, the shit-talking (for mancations), the training, the roadtrips.

Currently I’m preparing for a buddy to fly out from L.A. to the Grayson Highlands 50k.  I’ve promised him the quintessential Appalachia experience in the most beautiful part of the state.  We are staying in North Carolina in some lady’s barn, possibly kayaking, hanging out by a campfire, and visiting some wild ponies.  It’s going to be a great time!

If you feel as if the wheels of your life are spinning, as if you have nothing to look forward to I would suggest stopping what you are doing, type in “beautiful places in ___________ (somewhere nearby)” to Google, email a bunch of friends (email 10 because at least one or two of them will be able to go), find a date a month or two away, and immediately plan a trip!

Good luck!

Now I gotta go pack up my bags for this weekend!  Happy Monday!