Forty percent of our happiness, or lack thereof, is dictated by our genes, and about fifteen percent is by circumstances. That means you’re in control of about 40 to 45 percent, which is a lot. Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones of Happiness
Yesterday my daughters and I took their two youngest, Marcella and Sitara, both five, to Santa’s Village, a kiddie amusement park/petting zoo, for the day. At one of the girls’ first rides I noticed that Ken, the 60-ish ride operator, was extraordinarily happy as he welcomed each child to his ride, smiled and waved at them as they rode, said good-bye to each one as they left. We returned to Ken’s ride (it was a favorite) at the end of the day. I was hot and droopy but not Ken. He was still smiling and welcoming each child as they boarded.
Perhaps this is Ken’s retirement job and that’s why he seems to love it so….perhaps he is living off the meager income it provides. I have no idea but I do know that Ken has chosen to be happy and brighten the lives of little children and tired grandmas. Thanks, Ken.
Affirmation: I choose to be happy.
Coaching questions: In what ways do you choose to be happy? Who do you know that, despite their difficult circumstances, has chosen to be happy? In what way do they inspire you? If you are this person, know that you are inspiring others.
Life after losing a mother 
I have three prayers for aging that I share with others. Number one is that I give up my car before I hurt myself or anyone else. And I do this willingly. Number two is that if and/or when I have to go into some type of assistant living arrangement, I do so without putting my family through a guilt trip. And three: I’m the HAPPY OLD LADY in that nursing home and not some old crab. I understand that there are some medications that affect the mood and I may not appear as HAPPY as I hope to be. I recently placed a “burden” on my son regarding my aging. He is responsible for making sure the hair on my chin gets cut off on a regular basis. I don’t want to be that HAPPY OLD LADY with a hairy chin. This is my plan.
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I LOVE this! Thanks for sharing. I always say that just because someone is older…of course, disease is the exception….doesn’t give them the license to be mean or ugly to others or generally grumpy. I accepted that once in my life and regret it.
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