Carmel Magazine

34 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 I t's a rare occasion for me to be in front of a national television audi- ence, and a recent appearance on Bethenny Frankel's talk show was true testament to the fact that, for me, it's a big deal. I actually wore make-up and jewelry and boots with a heel! Someone primped my hair and fussed with my eye shadow while I ate treats from Bethenny's Skinny Girl line. As I melted into a pre-interview couch, I practiced sitting with my legs crossed, repeated the mantra "composure," and went over and over in my head what I should and should not speak about in front of such a vast audi- ence. Once the interview was underway, I only replied to Bethenny (tiny and beautiful in person!) after taking uncharacter- istic measured pauses. My hands and voice trembled as thoughts raced through my head and at times I near- ly bit my tongue off trying to keep comments in. In discussing what it was like to be in my late-40s and having to "get back out there" into the non- married world, my mind scrambled through thousands of subconscious replies when I blurted out with aplomb, "Ladies, you have to cre- ate your own happiness!" Everyone clapped and cheered loudly. But what the hell did I just mean? I have had decades of practice being happy. In fact, I consider myself an eternal optimist who was hit by a rapid moving cold front of pessimism that struck from the east in 2013. I found that sometimes sulking and making snide comments was, frankly, eas- ier than being happy and nice. My personal pity parties did have merit, but there didn't need to be so darn many celebrations! Eventually, being Debbie Downer's twin got tiresome…bor- ing…and I knew it was time for a re-design on what brings me joy. Time to get happy again. Time to get up in the morning and do it instead of staring at the ceiling and plotting it. The first list of what made me happy was simple enough: Daughter, puppy, family and friends. Sun. Food Network. And of course, actual food. But that seemed too easy and I wanted to go deeper. Shortly after, I sat on the beach in Hawaii, alone on New Year's Day pondering the concept of joy and happiness. I wrangled my wandering mind as it tried to complicate things. I picked through the sand, looking for special rocks and shells, which has always been one of my cheap thrills. I watched a thick-waisted man confidently stride out of the water, over razor sharp coral, bare- foot, and onto the sand next to me. From his belt hung a spear gun, three large fish and a 4-foot-long eel. The eel still writhed and wriggled. He asked me what I was searching for. I wanted to reply, "happiness," but instead I said, "Crab shells." "Why? You gonna make a lei?" "No," I replied, "Just for good luck." (Which I made up) After sizing each other up for a moment, I asked him what he was going to do with the huge eel that was slapping against his shins. "I gonna eat 'em for New Year's dinner!" "Does that make you happy?" I asked. "Oh yeah. Nothin' bettah!" Nothing better. Happiness. In a slimy, freakish looking, dirt- brown fish. And so simple. Sitting there for another hour, watching hot surfers, clunky kids and funky cloud formations made me HAPPY. I had usual- ly felt GUILTY at having the time to enjoy those scenes, but now I felt plain old grateful and happy. I went into the house and started a load of laundry and a seascape painting. Cleaning and creating—they both made me HAPPY. In wanting to share my goodwill, I didn't relentlessly text and call my daughter, who was in another state with family and friends. And, it made me happy not knowing what shenanigans were taking place with- out my watchful eye and nagging voice. I realized other people also had watchful eyes, and mine were getting a break. This made me HAPPY. Even not being able to drive without almost hitting a dozen tourists made me HAPPY because so many travelers were getting to experience the beauty that is our 50th state. As was I. And we were all happy. In 2014, I am, so far, practicing what I inadvertently preached to around a million people. And when I don't let my mind get in the way, it is so much easier to be happy than I remembered. I can intentionally preach not to forget to create and partici- pate in your own joy. No one else can do it for you. Dina Eastwood is a former news anchor at KSBW TV, past host of "Candid Camera" and has starred on a reality show on the E! Network. She is a writer, editor and yogini. She resides on the Monterey Peninsula with her daughter, Morgan. BEHIND THE SPOTLIGHT D I N A E A S T W O O D Nothing better. Happiness. In a slimy, freakish looking, dirt-brown fish. Happy Right Here 034 Dina Eastwood_Carmel Mag 1/26/14 12:20 PM Page 1

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