In my opinion, I strongly believe happiness is a choice. Every new day, we have the possibility to convert life's circumstances into a gift or to grumble about our difficulties. We carry along a treasure chest of gifts to that special age of 55 and the years beyond. Nevertheless, what does it take to fetch out those gifts to make a quality of life that is enjoyable, sustainable, and substantive? Here's my analysis for making the most of our gifts:
Reflect on the importance of life
• Gift of life and life's memories - I wish to live long enough to have more memories. Life is not a flower garden, nor a crystal stair, but I wouldn't trade my life for anyone else's. It has made me who I have become. I consider it a blessing to have memories... whether happy or miserable, they're mine. I believe we carry around too much in our brain. What can be in there? What is relevant enough to store in our brain? We need to decide what to keep and what to chuck away. It's your brain; You need to protect what comes in through all your senses and emotions. We must guide our tongues, so that we speak life.
Envision possibilities
• Gift of options - It is just a true blessing to have choices. Living has been packed with changes, turns, and dips in the road. Someone once said, "the mind is a factory of Imagination". Having a fruitful imagination provides an opportunity to seize the moment, run with an idea, spot the rut in the path, and fill the pothole... aiding one to enjoy the next level in life. Incredible! That's personal power.
• Intentional Assessment - From time to time, you need to take a moment to do an assessment of who you are, what makes you happy, and what value you bring to the community of human beings. Do you like what you see in the mirror? Do you know your assets? Can you learn something new that will prepare you for the next phase of life's journey? What will it take to do the things you can to be all of that you can be? A honest assessment of our talents and skills, strengths and weaknesses, values and hopes, disappointments and anticipations, along with an acknowledgement that we didn't do all this ourselves, can surely lead to an increased life that abounds in hope and joy.
Possess an attitude of gratitude
• Gift of time - As the years go by, I am so grateful for every single new 'number' I attain. Every turning-point is a gift idea that enables me know how blessed I really am. As I work to add the 'fruit of the spirit' in my daily life, I am able to exponentially increase in the riches of new relationships, new ideas, and fascinating activities.
• Be filled with laughter - Laughter has medicinal value. Research indicates that those who laugh everyday live much longer, have infectious attitudes of gratitude, and are great to be around. Therefore, laugh frequently! Be around energizing people and place yourself in situations where joy is the ultimate outcome. Have this concious recognition that, even in the saddest situations, we usually can find something to laugh about, if we allow ourselves.
Navigating through all the transitions of life, and into the older years, is worthy of admiration. But, as my grand daddy once said, "It requires strong nerves to watch it sometimes!" Graceful ageing is a gift. Enjoy your gifts... enjoy living!
