Find Your Happiness

"We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same."
– Carlos Castaneda

Recently, I read about what one person believed that happy people do. Unfortunately I do not know how this person arrived at his conclusions. Also, the definition of happiness was not defined. His seven points were as follows: 1. Make good friends 2. Actively express thankfulness (gratitude) 3. Actively pursue your goals 4. Do what you excel at as often as you can 5. Give as opposed to taking 6. Don’t single-mindedly chase stuff 7. Live the life you want to live.

These seven points are all positive and may or may not lead to happiness. In my book “It Has Nothing To Do with Age,” I prescribed seven points that I believe creates a healthier lifestyle. My seven points take account of adjusting both attitude and behavior. These seven points are based on the profiles of eight mature athletes that compete in extraordinary sports as well as current research. My prescriptions are as follows: 1. Get inspired. It’s okay to begin a new activity by taking baby steps. A physical activity can help in improving physical fitness, losing weight, reducing anxiety and minimizing depression. 2. Find meaning in an activity outside of family, career, or raising kids; it can build self-esteem.3. Enrich your emotional life by making physical contact, having friends, sharing interests, and learning about others, by becoming part of a new group. 4. Realize that there is more to life than the accumulation of material things; having the biggest toy does not result in happiness. 5. Participate in outdoor activities to help nurture spirituality. 6. For a way to escape, read about other people’s adventures. 7. Find inspiration motivation through the illuminating profiles of eight remarkable senior athletes found within this book.

Further, in each of my posts I talk about keep moving, laughing, smiling, bonding, appreciating and loving. I do not claim to have the secret for the pursuit of happiness but I do know something about creating wellness and a healthier lifestyle. And, when leading a healthier lifestyle you have the best.

When I was a young boy, I remember one of my aunts saying something to the effect of, “to have your health is to have everything.” I fully understand and agree with my wise aunt. Thank you  aunt Eva.