Layla Halterman, lahalterman@ursinus.edu
Finding positivity and contagious energy in the world today is difficult, but not for Meaghan B. Murphy. An author, editor, and on-air personality, Murphy is well-known for her high energy and positive approach. According to her biography, “She was recently named Content Director of Woman’s Day magazine charged with energizing the brand across print and digital.” She is a regular guest on shows like “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” “Today,” and “GMA.” When not writing or appearing on TV, Murphy is usually raising her three children with her husband, Pat, in Westfield, NJ. As a certified trainer and a former fitness director at SELF, she has a passion for working out and can be found at several local gyms. Murphy just finished her first book called, “Your Fully Charged Life: A Radically Simple Approach to Having Endless Energy and Filling Everyday With YAY.” She defines her book as, “an attempt to share the life lessons I’ve learned over the course of a 20-plus year career as a service journalist that help me live fully charged with optimism and joy.” Murphy believes that living a fully charged life means making a conscious effort to remain present and to choose positivity daily. She acknowledges the bad but does not dwell on it. She is addicted to strengthening her optimism muscle by focusing on the ‘YAY’ each day. She often asks the question to her 20,000-plus Instagram followers, “What made you say YAY?” Murphy’s book is aimed toward people of all ages, yet she believes the younger generation should follow her approach, too, because it may help retrain their minds. Murphy believes,“[i]f you think tomorrow could be more awesome, but you’re stuck, ‘YFCL’ will give you science-backed strategies to move to the needle.” Murphy wants students to remember that good and bad energy is contagious and life is a boomerang — whatever you put out, you get back. While “YFCL” is packed with tips and tricks for leading a life full of good energy and positivity, Murphy wants students to realize most importantly that “[y]ou’re in charge! Life isn’t happening to you; you are happening to life. Own your days, your decisions, your happiness.” She implies that you only get one shot at life, so you might as well live each day with intention and optimism. It’s too short to live any other way. Murphy’s hope for all students is to find what they are most passionate about. She also advises them to chase after what excites them. If they do just that, they will be successful in all their endeavors.