The Good NEW Days!
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People love their stories, especially older people, and especially stories about ‘the good old days.’ There’s even a magazine called Good Old Days. Nothing wrong with bygones, nostalgia, looking back–unless you get stuck there and ignore the good new days that are here to enjoy.
Leslie Alderman in her article, “Get Happy,” published in Real Simple magazine (September, 2005), reminds readers that happiness (including having fun) brings its own reward. “. . .it feels good–but it has another benefit: it’s great for your health.”
Researchers who study the science of happiness, according to Alderman’s report, have found that “happier people live longer, have stronger immune systems, and are more resilient to stress than their less sanguine counterparts.”
What are some of the simple things you can do to make the most of the good new days, to have more fun, more pleasure, more relaxation? That’s a question my sister often asked in one form or another. “I need people to help me have fun,” she said.
I suggested we both start by making subtle changes in our daily life. For instance, I’m trying to keep my to-do list under control. Now that I live alone, no more house cleaning every few days. I change my linens every few weeks instead of every week. And I’m paying attention to how often I say ‘yes’ when I really want to say ‘no.’ I cook less and ‘assemble’ more!
I’m making sure I include plenty of funshine each day.
If I want to take a nap, I do.
When I want to sit outside and enjoy my flowers I do.
If I feel like walking with a friend instead of ironing a blouse, I do!
I’m here now and it’s time to be part of it.
Let’s raise our happiness quotient by including fun in our lives–regardless of how we were raised, the messages we received about ‘work’ when we were young, our current age, what others think or say. It’s my life and yours, God’s gift to us to respect, cherish, and live in the moment.
These are the good new days.
“My purpose is to give you life in all its fullness” (John 10:10)
Along with scripture and songs, poetry has been a great source of encouragement to me. Two short ones that seem to apply here are.
“I look out on my fair today, I clasp it close and kiss it’s radiant brow.
Here in the perfect present let me stay, for I am happy now”
The other one:
“Are you almost discouraged with life my friend? I will tell you a wonderful trick.
It will bring you contentment if anything can.
Do something for somebody, Quick!”
Wish I could tell you who wrote those, but I have often quoted them.
Hi Etta Mae. Thanks so much for your delightful comment and the two poems you included. I enjoyed reading them and benefiting from their wisdom.
I’m on board with you on this one, Karen. I think I’ll have cereal for dinner tonight and then get out my adult coloring books.
Enjoy your cereal topped with a few luscious berries, I hope. 🙂 And adult coloring books. I have two on my coffee table and love to indulge while watching the evening news. Here’s to us.
Good thoughts, especially during the holidays! Nice to hear from you, Karen! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and your family too. Thanks for checking in, Bev. Always good to hear from you.
I feel like I am having fun just reading this, Karen! I like that you are minimizing the rigidness and maximizing the whimsy factor!
Thanks, Heidi. With recovery comes a willingness to have fun. So let’s keep it up.
Love this one! I used to subscribe to “The Good Old Days” magazine and to “Reminisce”. In fact, I enjoyed them so much I kept them for a whole year!! I found so many things that I could remember myself! Guess that tells you I am “old” but thankful I CAN remember! I am blessed. I always enjoyed listening to older people when I was young. The stories they told were awesome. I take a nap every afternoon and most of the time Nirvana, the cat we inherited, watches as I put the afcan on my lap and that means it is time for her nap too. There are advantages to being retired! If I want to just read, I read. If I just want to sit and look at the beauty outside where I can watch some of the golfers across the pond on the golf course, and that is a good time to do a lot of “thanksgivine” thoughts to God. It is a real blessing to live long enough to ‘stop and smell the roses’.
Love and blessings, Margaret
I agree, Margaret, that it is a blessing to live long enough to smell the roses. I am doing that more and more and grateful I can.
Well written Karen.
Read. Received. Inspired.
Thanks!
Merry Christmas!
🎄Smiles, BRC
Wonderful to hear from you, Beth. Have a lovely Christmas season and a bright and happy new year.
Thank you Karen. The same to you and your family.
Smiles, BRC
I’m happy to take a walk with you when you want to have fun! 🙂
Wonderful post, Karen. <3
Hi Sherry. I’m always up for a walk with you. Let’s plan another before the end of the year–if we are able.
I love this Karen! It’s so easy to get caught up in our “to-dos” and forget to stop and enjoy the moment. I’m trying to sit and hold hands with Don more while we watch Hallmark Christmas movies, walk Paigey periodically, and enjoy the special events of the season. No one will regret not having a spotless house but they would regret not spending precious time with family. Thanks for the good reminder!
I love hearing what you’re doing to enjoy the holidays and to let go of things that don’t really matter in the long run. 😊
Great advice …a good reminder to take care of ourselves. Now that the demands of Christmas are past and after the 11 family birthdays are celebrated the end of January I will
Breathe a sigh of relief. So appreciate your kindly wisdom, Karen.
Wish you lived next door! From your fellow Karen
Thanks, fellow Karen. I hope 2019 will be filled with many ‘good new days’ for you.