Finding Happiness in the Darkest Times

Feb 23, 2021 | Newsletter, Video

Dear Friends of The Sunny Center,

I planned to talk about grief this week. But instead, I decided to talk about happiness. Because they are connected. The more happiness you have with someone, the more you grieve when they’re not here anymore.

My dear friend Robina, who is a Buddhist nun, has huge knowledge and a great sense of humor. I listen to her talks often, and happiness is one of the topics she discusses frequently. Which got me to thinking about how we find the happiness we are seeking.

Happiness is a choice. Even the worst situation gives us the opportunity to improve spiritually. Sometimes we struggle to find happiness even when things are going well. We think happiness should be coming from someone or somewhere. But the happiness that we are really looking for comes from the inside.

In my video this week I discuss how to find your happiness even in dire circumstances.

Select the video above to watch it. If you’d like to see my videos each week, click the thumbs-up “like” button and the “Subscribe” button when you’re in YouTube. I’d love to have you as a subscriber!


At The Sunny Center, we work with Exonerees to help them heal from the trauma of wrongful conviction, find happiness, and start them on the path to building a healthy, fulfilling life. Please consider making a donation to The Sunny Center by clicking the button below.


You Can Help Exonerees

Support an Exoneree directly by purchasing a needed item for them!

Click here to go to Paul’s wish list.
Click here to go to Danny’s wish list.
Click here to go to Joseph’s wish list.

Thank you so much for your support! And don’t forget, you can purchase through smile.amazon.com and select The Sunny Center Foundation USA, Inc. as your charity of choice.


Support for Exonerees

If you are an Exoneree who needs someone to talk to, or needs help in some way, contact us. Even though we are not yet allowed to travel or bring others to us, we can connect over the phone or online.

Peace and Love,
Sunny and Peter

Remembering Peter

My dear Peter is gone.
We sang him home on the last day of the year, gathered around his bedside as we had done for so many days before.

‘Send them green.’ A special message from a Sunny Center supporter!

“I had the wonderful opportunity to be a guest at the Sunny Center this past July. My first trip to Ireland, it always is a magical moment to visit friends who live overseas…”

Exonerees are succeeding, thanks to you!

Helping people exonerated of crimes they did not commit, setting them back on the path to a fulfilling life, is a monumental task that we depend on the dedication of volunteers, both near and far, to achieve.

Even in summer, the work doesn’t stop

We’re in midsummer now, with its long days that stretch until 11 in the evening here in Ireland. It’s a busy time for everyone and everything.

The power of art to heal and renew

Did you know that Peter was a woodworker and an artist? He created so many things. But more importantly, he taught those skills to other Exonerees when they visited the Center.

Looking for green shoots

Photo by Samantha Bookman. Peter and I chose to situate the Sunny Healing Center here in this beautiful location in the west of Ireland. A newcomer may at first see only a barren, rocky, windswept landscape. But, put your hand on the earth here, and you can feel the...

A message from Sunny about Peter

The time has come to say farewell to our dear Peter, who is in the process of transitioning from this body and this plane.

Finding Peace, Joy and Hope

The events in Ukraine over the past several days have been ever-present in all of our lives through the daily news and constant social media. These times can be especially difficult for Exonerees because of the traumas they are working to overcome.

Love Is Always the Answer

Winter is always a little bit quieter than the rest of the year. After a long day spent maintaining the Sunny Healing Center and getting it ready for visitors, it’s time for us to cuddle up with the kittens and, of course, Barney, on chilly winter evenings with a warm fire in the hearth.

A Happy, Healthy and Healing New Year to All

Love has no barriers and no limits. And neither does our gratitude for your continuing support and friendship. Know that you are never alone, because you are part of our family.

Happy Holidays to Our Friends Near and Far!

These are extraordinary times. And you’ve all been extraordinary supporters. Thanks to you, we’ve been able to keep helping Exonerees in the midst of a global emergency.