What the hell is It Is What It Is?

It Is What It Is is a collection of nationally syndicated opinion columns written by me, Lisa Sugarman, that all support the idea that life is always a work in progress. But in order to get the most out of life, we have to learn to see the upside in every situation.

I’m a fierce believer that the cup is always half full. I have to be. Life doesn’t make sense to me any other way. And that’s how I write. My bottom line is that we can’t control what life throws at us… we can only control how we receive it.

We live in such a self-help-driven culture now and just about everyone is trying to achieve some version of ultimate happiness and perfection in their lives. People are more driven than ever before to make sense of it all and find the secret to happiness. And because of that, we’re inundated by people claiming to have the key to achieving it.

The irony is, there is no answer and deep down I think we all know it. There is no formula to make it all work because life isn’t static, it’s fluid, and it expects us to adapt. Every time we think we’ve got it nailed something changes and we get derailed. What I suggest throughout my columns is that we embrace the reality that we’re supposed to be imperfect; we’re supposed to screw up, make bad decisions, and temporarily lose our way. I honestly believe that’s what people actually need (and want) to hear. It’s like tough love for the soul. Because it’s too unrealistic to think anyone can live a totally idyllic, sublime life. Life is beautiful but life is also ugly and imperfect. So what I think people really want and need is someone to tell it like it really is. I think people need someone they can connect with– a regular, average, relatable, positive person, without any post-nominal letters after their name– to remind them that with the right attitude and motivation, anyone can be happy and fulfilled most of the time.

So what you’ll find here are funny, relatable little insights that all support the same simple notion that we can’t take too much too seriously because so much of life is really beyond our control. It’ll reinforce the attitude that life is what it is and we can all be much closer to a more consistent happiness and peace if we just stay nimble to the unpredictability of life.

I think that people need little nuggets of truth they can relate to that make sense to them in their lives and inspires them. And people need to be able to relate to a situation or a circumstance on a personal level because that personal connection is what enables them to truly connect with a message.

So that’s what I’m doing here. I’m reminding you that so much of life is what it is and we need to react to it with strength and courage and sensibility and not take too much of it too seriously. Because life can be beautiful and rich and fulfilling if we all just accept that it is what it is.

Lisa