In May, I turned 53. I’m really enjoying my fifties and look forward to the rest of them. I’m looking forward to the years beyond that too. I see so many people who seem to be unhappy with getting older, but getting older is a gift that not all of us are given. Aging has brought a rare sense of calm and acceptance to my life. One that has made my values clearer and my goals simpler.
I’m not sure that I would feel this way if I hadn’t made some changes in my life. I was heading down a cranky, miserable path filled with complaints, a lack of responsibility, and a “poor me” attitude. I knew it was time to stop living a miserable existence and to take ownership of my own success and happiness. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.
Birthdays are gifts that we owe it to ourselves to celebrate. Not everyone makes it to their next birthday and one day we won’t either. Life can be hard. Things go wrong, tragedies happen, health declines, and it’s tough to stay positive. Yet what is the alternative? Take whatever time we have left and spend it unhappily? Life won’t go faster or be better if we choose to be miserable.
Ask yourself, “How will staying unhappy or stressed out help me enjoy my life?” Happiness and thankfulness are choices. Sometimes they are harder to achieve, but they are still choices. I’m glad I chose to find happiness where and when I could. I’ll deal with whatever life throws at me. We all will. In the mean time, bring on the birthdays . . . and the birthday cake!
Love,
Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC