55+ Living Guide Spring/Summer 2017 55++LG+Spring+17+Spreads | Page 50

The Vine
Happiness Starts
with You
:
By Frank Buck
As the grass turns green, the leaves return to the trees
and summer sounds fill the air we all feel happier.
Why is it, that a change of season can change our mood
in such a way? That happy feeling is inside all of us and
exists during every season, if we know where to look
for it. It’s a seed deep inside us, waiting for a warm
rain, some sunshine or just some simple patience to
get it to sprout. When we feel good about ourselves
we aren’t caring about what others think. True
happiness flows from performing good with continuity
throughout a lifetime.
Is happiness pleasure, honor, wealth, knowledge or
something else? For Aristotle, the great philosopher,
happiness was not seen as an immediate result, for
that would be a momentary pleasure. It must be seen
as an end result, achieved only as a long-term goal.
He concludes that to be happy, we must be just,
virtuous and morally right.
Happiness is the way you think about yourself and
you choosing what you prefer rather than following
the encouragement of others. It’s not what you have,
it’s what you think. And in the words of Colleen
Laukka,” Happiness is living in the energy of an open
heart and freely sharing its effervescence with all.”
We all know someone that just never seems happy
but doesn’t every one of us deserve happiness? In
the pursuit of our happiness we cannot lose sight of
others that are on the journey with us. We need to be
aware of who we are touching and what is being sown.
Always remember to smile, laugh be kind and show
respect to yourself and others. People may not remem-
ber what you said, but they will always remember
how you made them feel. Everybody is special.
Make those around you feel it and your own life
becomes more enriched.
We need to pay attention to the little things.
It’s been said to live simply, but love generously!
Everyone loves a hug, so do it, tomorrow might be
too late. If you love someone, tell them today.
Work to create the life that feels right to you, not
the one that looks right to everyone else. It’s the dream
no one can see but you. The future is yours to create
and its often great challenges that make life interest-
ing, but overcoming them makes life meaningful.
As we grow older and wiser, we realize what we
really need and what needs to be left behind. Try not
to make that perfect utopic life and forget to live life
and to love. Happiness, it starts with you.
People may not remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.
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