Happiness is a majestic force that lifts us beyond what we feel life should look like at any moment. It sets a magnificent mental and emotional stage to celebrate life fully as it exists in every current moment. Aristotle said, Happiness depends on ourselves.” What say you?
With depression and sorrow at all time highs we are led to ask, “ Does healing and happiness go hand in hand?” Consider how joy fills the center of grace and acts as evidence of wonder fully in play. How though, might we restore this union of healing and happiness back to the millions who appear to have lost any sense of personal wellbeing, much less miss life’s laughter and sometimes silly play.
A thankful heart offers us one remedy against depression and sorrow, Sure, we may have to alter expectations a bit, because rigid expectations can destroy any hopes for happiness. Would you agree that if we access highways into happiness with its laughter, we’ll also open a crossroad into gratitude?
Our inflexible expectations insisted upon can dash any hope of happiness. Years ago, the Clark family expected to board a ship in Scotland to travel to the US. Their lifetime dream got cruelly crushed when their son became ill and the family required 14 days of quarantine at the same time they were to have boarded the ship. Nothing could console the Clark family, until a breaking news report informed the world that their ship, The Titanic, shockingly sank and many lives were lost. Hearing this terrible fate, the family thanked God for a quarantine that seemed a tragedy at first, but that transformed into blessings for this family in the end, since they were spared death.
Happiness is sometimes spoken of as a sort of utopian state most people crave, and yet few realize. Ask happy people where their joy and laughter comes from and they tell us happiness comes with awareness, is the work of grace and often resides in those who cultivate a free spirit.
It’s true that nobody who lives in this chaotic and crazy world, feels happy 24/7. Nevertheless, joy and delight are available much more than most of us unwrap or experience this life-changing gift. Also true is that we live in the past, at happiness’ peril while we wallow in missteps or miseries.
One surefire way to happiness is to remain open-minded, and to learn new approaches or possibilities regardless of age or education. We step beyond our old ways and allow others to teach new ways through their eyes, and their understanding. We garner happiness for all when we listen more, and create incredible new perspectives side by side with those around us. We consider @oxherdboy’s question to the Ox:
“Will you teach me everything you know?” the boy asked.
“I don’t think so,” replied the Ox.
“It would be better to relearn life with you than teach you my old ways.”
Imagine how we seniors regain happiness by relearning with our grandchildren. What if seniors could lead the way to reinstate happiness into lives of all ages, and personalities. Could it work?
I am thinking about starting a podcast on this topic, to engage seniors in that possibility. I’ll title the podcast, SENIORS AS HAPPY, HEALED AND HOPEFUL. This interactive growth mindset podcast will encourage seniors to uncover daily happiness as we grow wisdom and give back happiness together.
LINKS TO MY BOOKS AND MATERIALS TO GROW EMOTIONALLY AND MENTALLY HEALTHY
Grace Mindset Book – paperback
The Teen’s Growth Mindset Workbook – paperback
Growth Mindset Interactive Materials at TPT