it's been two years.

it’s been a minute since my last linkedin newsletter, but im back! this year has been a whirlwind filled with heavy emotions and new experiences, including a stroll in the sunrise shadows of the sphinx with egyptologist dr. zahi hawass, a spiritual journey up the kumano kodo trail in japan, my first grasshopper taco in oaxaca, and connecting with countless new people at my speaking events around the world. and what’s even crazier than those experiences is that it’s already been two years since beyond happiness was launched.

as i reflect on it and all the uncertainty and heaviness in our world, i can’t help but feel that the book and its message are more relevant today than when i first wrote it.?

before the world was 2020’d, i had a nice and tidy outline for a book on how workplaces can operate. but when the inconceivable happened, and every other week we saw headlines that made us all ask, “what the what!?” this challenged whether we’re prioritizing our days the right way. everyone experienced some form of loss or trauma —?sometimes a loss of hope or security, sometimes that of a job or a friendship we thought we’d always have.?

while researching for the book, i came across this quote, “everyone you come across is fighting a battle you know nothing about. be kind.” i was struck with the thought, why don’t we just be kind and human??

over these past few years, i’ve had the honor of sharing the beyond happiness message with folks around the world. i observed and absorbed how different reactions to my talks were in 2020 BC (Before Covid) versus where they are today.?

people have shared their laughter and tears, whether it was about a recent diagnosis of brain cancer or their son with autism. my biggest reflection is that we all want to experience what it means to be authentic in work/life. we want to feel freedom — not just what we want for lunch or where our next trip will be —?but the freedom from shadows of our internal selves and the externals of what we can’t control.?

whatever your opinion is on happiness in unpredictable times, there’s something that we can’t dispute —?we all want to grow. our families, teams, businesses, and of course, ourselves. and we want to grow knowing there’s a better, more human way to do it.

as the book’s message has evolved to address the times, so has the greenhouse method on how living beyond happiness can happen. people have been going deeper into understanding their authentic selves, wanting to integrate what real change and growth can be. they’ve been going beyond happiness to clean out the past, be present, and wake up with confidence every day is going to be a fulfilling one.

with much love and gratitude for all your support, here’s to going beyond…together.

-jl?