Happiness Is Part of Us

By Julie Isphording

Happiness isn’t something we have to go out and find — it’s already inside us. We’re born with the beautiful ability to feel joy, love, peace, and gratitude. But somewhere along the way, we start to believe happiness depends on what we achieve, buy, or become. 

The truth is, it’s not about having more — it’s about noticing more. It’s about pausing right in the moment, so the moment becomes special—and sometimes miraculous.

Happiness lives in the small, everyday moments: a kind word, a good laugh, a walk with a friend, a warm embrace, a smile. It’s in the people we love, the memories we make, and the purpose we feel when we do something that really matters. 

When we slow down and appreciate those real things, happiness rises naturally — not because life is perfect, but because we’re paying attention to what’s good for us, for our family, and for our friends.

Even when life gets hard, happiness doesn’t disappear. It might hide for a while, but it’s still there — in hope, in healing, in the courage to keep going. We just have to look for it again.

So, remember: happiness isn’t out there waiting for you. It’s part of you — always has been, always will be.

Are we obsessed with protein?

It used to be “low-fat” or “low-carb.” Now it’s “high-protein.” From protein ice cream to protein cereal to protein water (yes, that’s real) and protein coffee, it’s sneaking into everything.

• The Pros:
  • Protein is the building block of life — muscles, hormones, enzymes — it keeps you full, focused, and strong.
  • It’s especially helpful for recovery, aging well, and maintaining muscle as we get older.
  • And honestly, it’s the reason we don’t eat five donuts for breakfast — protein helps balance blood sugar.
• The Cons: 
  • Too much protein can actually stress your kidneys, dehydrate you, and crowd out other nutrients.
  • When people load up on animal protein only, they often skip fiber — which is why America’s real deficiency isn’t protein, it’s plants.
  • Some protein powders have more additives than a fast-food burger — if your protein shake has 40 ingredients, maybe… don’t.

• The Balanced Take:
  • It’s not that protein is bad — it’s that moderation got lost in the marketing.
  • We don’t need to be protein-obsessed, we just need to be protein-aware.
  • You’ll get plenty if you eat balanced meals: eggs, beans, nuts, yogurt, fish, chicken, even veggies have some.

Why are you so tired—even when you sleep well?

If you feel like you’re running on empty, you’re not alone. Fatigue can sneak up from every direction — body, mind, and lifestyle. Here’s a quick scan of the most common culprits:

• Physical Causes
  • Poor-quality sleep, sleep disorders, or hormone shifts (menopause, low testosterone) can leave you dragging.
  • Low iron, thyroid issues, or blood-sugar swings may slow your system down.
  • Chronic illness, dehydration, or nutrient gaps — think vitamin D, B12, magnesium — can also sap energy.
  • Medications: antidepressants, antihistamines, or blood-pressure drugs often have “fatigue” in the fine print.

• Lifestyle Habits
  • Too much caffeine can create an energy roller coaster.
  • Processed food, sugar, and skipped protein meals all crash your stamina.
  • Both too little movement and overtraining drain reserves.
  • Blue light, alcohol, or an erratic sleep schedule mess with deep rest.
  • And if you haven’t seen daylight lately — that’s part of it too.

• Emotional + Mental Load
  • Stress, anxiety, and depression are energy thieves.
  • Holding everything together for everyone else — emotional labor — burns out your reserves fast.
  • Unprocessed feelings (grief, anger, worry) or constant fight-or-flight mode keep your body tense, even at rest.
  • Decision fatigue, multitasking, or perfectionism can wear out your brain just as much as your body.

• Social + Environmental Factors
  • Toxic relationships, loneliness, or overcommitment all quietly drain you.
  • Constant comparison — especially on social media — can make you feel exhausted without knowing why.

Fatigue isn’t just being tired. It’s a signal — from your body, your habits, or your heart — that something’s out of balance. The fix starts with curiosity: ask where the energy leak is, then start patching it, one small choice at a time.

What’s the real secret to lasting weight loss?

When it comes to getting fit or losing weight, most people start with what — what to eat, what workout to do, what plan to follow. But the truth is, the why behind your goals matters even more than the plan itself.

• The power of purpose

Your “why” is your anchor. It’s what keeps you going when the scale doesn’t budge or motivation dips. Maybe it’s wanting to feel stronger, live longer, have more energy, or simply feel comfortable in your own skin.

• Without a why, you drift

Anyone can follow a plan for a few weeks. But without a clear reason, it’s easy to fall off track. You start chasing numbers instead of meaning — calories, pounds, reps — and when results slow (and they always do), it feels like failure.

• Shift from pressure to purpose

When you know your why, you stop trying to “fix” your body and start working with it. You move because it feels good. You eat well because you want energy, not because you’re afraid of guilt.

Olympic runner Julie Isphording is a project manager, 700 WLW radio personality, Pilates studio owner, and keynote speaker. She teaches yoga weekly at the Cincinnati Art Museum and loves to play…every day.  Write to her anytime at julie.isphording@gmail.com.