Lynne’s Story

When I first started teaching back in the late 1960’s I was inspired to work with youth who were struggling and, because I started teaching before I’d finished my degree, I knew that I had a lot to learn.

I grew up the oldest of nine children in the mid-west. My Dad was an alcoholic with a lousy temper, but we never spoke of that problem. Back in those days we thought we had a perfect family and did laugh a lot and have fun together.

Because of my Mother’s unfailing belief that all of her children would get an education, I managed to graduate from college, a little late and a lot in debt, and started my teaching career. I was married twice and by the early 1980’s was the single Mother of a young son.

By that time, I had dealt with my own alcoholism, and was participating in a newly formed Adult Children of Alcoholics group. I knew that I had a lot of old patterns that I needed to let go of if I was ever going to create a better life. I moved to Minnesota in 1988 and found a job teaching in a juvenile correction facility – for troubled youth. Personally I was learning that my parenting skills left a lot to be desired, and I knew I wanted to offer my son a less stressful home environment.

I joined a women’s study group and for three years we met every Friday afternoon to grow our lives. At that time we studied Jane Nelsen’s book, Understanding, which was one of the first books out discussing the principles that are the foundation for my work today. I realized then that if I could share anything with my son it would be these tools for living a truly happy life.

I also saw a lot of possibilities for my students. Learning these principles could improve their lives. In fact a number of studies had been done by then, that showed a lot of promise for turning around the lives of youth at risk for dropping out of school, using drugs, early pregnancies, and criminal behavior. I began using Richard Carlson’s book, You Can be Happy No Matter What, with my students and saw them come alive as they realized they’d had brilliance inside of themselves all along and could learn to live from that brilliance.

In the early 90’s I enrolled in an Educational Leadership doctoral program at a local university in order to have the credentials to promote the teaching of these principles to teachers, youth, parents, and others interested in reclaiming their personal power, taking charge of their lives and creating the lives of their dreams. I wrote my doctoral dissertation on using these principles with students in schools, naming it: Moving from Dysfunction and Disability to Health Realization.

It is clear to me that this set of principles that Vivian and I have expanded from four to twelve, is the absolute foundation for living happy fulfilling lives. I have proven this in my own life, going way beyond what I ever hoped to accomplish by learning to live from the inside out. I’ve learned to start everything I do by connecting first with my natural brilliance and moving out from there. My relationships have smoothed out and I start each day with laughter, joy, and gratitude.

Best of all, I get to share what I have learned with you and lots of others who want to live brilliant lives that not only make a difference, but provide us with more joy and freedom and create a happy world for our children and their children.

If I can do this, anybody can, including you. It’s time to step up, to take charge of your life, and to make it what you want it to be. I can’t wait to show you how!