I was born happy. My father tells me that I didn’t cry when I came out of my mom’s womb, and it scared him not to hear the sounds that evidence life. I looked healthy and alive, just not in the need to cry. And perhaps that was a most appropriate introduction to this life, as I have always been a really happy person. In addition to being blessed to be born happy, I was born and raised in what is considered one of the happiest places on earth, Puerto Rico. My childhood included a lot of sun, sand, flip flops, palm trees, coconuts, and music – all things that are dear to me and that are essential to my well-being and happiness. Elements I need to get enough of, no matter where I live. I am the fourth of six children of my mom and my dad, and I feel incredibly blessed to have my five siblings. They were my sanity, and my rock growing up, and they continue to be. And in spite of being born happy, perhaps as a result of certain childhood experiences, I have always known the importance to make happy when it doesn’t happen naturally, for whatever reason. That this is something each and every one of us need to work on, because sometimes it doesn’t just happen. In fact, sometimes we get the opposite. Happiness doesn’t just happen, each of us have to work at it. You have to Make Happy. Every day, I promise. So being born happy has turned out to be my greatest gift. I know it has helped me be the best mom I could ever be to my kids – the single and most important, satisfying role I have and ever will have, and one of my biggest sources of happiness and inspiration. It has also helped me endured hardship, and find ways to balance the challenges I’ve been dealt with, none of which have been meaningless, because they have taught me about unconditional love, and compassion and forgiveness and happiness. Mostly, they have tough me the importance to Make Happy, every day.