3-05-2024 5:59pm

You Can Be Happier

Christine Larkin Editor

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - YOU CAN BE HAPPIER

I love flowers. They make me happier. It's amazing to see buds on the tree branches and Hyacinth starting to grow. Daylight Savings time is this coming weekend. Soon it will be Spring.

I'm reading a book called The Art and Science of Getting Happier: Build the Life You Want by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey. They say, "You can get happier. When times are good, this is easy to believe. But sometimes life's hardships can feel like impossible barriers, making happiness seem out of reach. Other times, we may just feel stuck--not unhappy, but wanting more out of life."

As I read this book, I realize that I'm a pretty happy person. It doesn't take much for me to be happy. It can be as simple as sitting on my stoop and watching the world go by, or a long day at the beach with good friends. I am very happy when I'm eating a delicious meal with my family or listening to an amazing song. Music makes me feel very happy.

I think the reason that happiness can elude us at times is because as we age, we can get stuck in the muck of life and forget what genuine happiness feels like. We are very busy these days. Sometimes I find myself saying, "there's too much life." By that I mean too many errands and things to do. But that's part of life. We have to pace ourselves so that we don't get overtired. When we get overtired, we can feel grumpy and that doesn't make us feel very happy now does it.

Arthur C. Brooks is the Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor at Harvard Kennedy School and Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School where he teaches courses on happiness. He is the creator of the popular How to Build a Life column at The Atlantic, an acclaimed public speaker, and an author of bestselling books, including From Strength to Strength and Love Your Enemies. We all know Oprah.

In the book, The Art and Science of Getting Happier: Build the Life You Want, Arthur and Oprah share hard-earned wisdom from their own lives as well as advice from regular people whose lives are joyful despite devastating personal and professional hardships. In the 25 years that Oprah had her TV show, when she asked her audience what they wanted, most said more happiness.

"This is not another book with unrealistic promises of perfect bliss," says Brooks and Winfrey. "It is a science-based work plan that meets you wherever you are and shows you how to make getting happier a daily practice. This book is your blueprint for a better life."

The authors invite you to begin a journey toward greater happiness no matter how challenging your circumstances. Drawing on cutting-edge science and their years of helping people translate ideas into action (something I enjoy doing very much), they show you how to improve your life right now instead of waiting for the outside world to change. There's no time like the present.

With insight, compassion, and hope, Brooks and Winfrey reveal how the tools of emotional self-management (I call it self-awareness) can change your life immediately. They recommend practical, research-based practices to build the four pillars of happiness: family, friendship, work, and faith. The macro nutrients are enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose.

I'll leave you with a story I read recently in AARP Magazine.

When Lillian Fowler died in an Ohio nursing home at the age of 108, her relatives were quick to comment on how cheerful she had stayed until the very end. She had played golf into her 80's, became queen of the county fair at 104 and never stopped making friends. Her niece explains that Fowler chose to be happy no matter what her situation: "She would say, 'You need to blossom where you are planted.'" Fowler's sunny disposition may counter our expectations for the elderly. After all, stereotypes of aging curmudgeons abound. But scientists researching longevity and aging suspect her story reflects a common pattern. Surveys and studies in developed countries around the world have given investigators a closer look at the relation between age and what psychologists call "emotional well-being"--that is, when a person consistently reports more positive than negative feelings. And by this measure, they have discovered that seniors are happier than their juniors.

I think the key to happiness is to stay curious about life. Try new things. Never stop learning. Meet new people. Love deeply. And be grateful that you're still here, happy or not.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and beyond, there's never enough happiness to be had.

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - OLD WESTBURY GARDENS

I've recommended this beautiful oasis on Long Island in the past, but as Spring nears, it's a must-go-to destination. With hundreds of flowering plants, you will forget about your worries and be so very happy tip-toing through the tulips.

For more information, visit www.oldwestburygardens.org. Opening soon!

SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Dear God,

Open my heart to appreciate every moment. Guide me through each day towards greater happiness. Amen.

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SKYLARK'S INSPRIATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What would make you happier?

Please put your answer in the Reply bubble below next to the heart. I would love to hear from you. Thank you.

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SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - HAPPY by PHARREL WILLIAMS

LYRICS

It might seem crazy what I'm 'bout to say
Sunshine she's here, you can take a break
I'm a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air like I don't care baby by the way
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Here come bad news talking this and that (yeah)
Well give me all you got, don't hold back (yeah)
Well I should probably warn you I'll be just fine (yeah)
No offence to you don't waste your time
Here's why
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Bring me down
Can't nothing bring me down
The level's too high to bring me down
Can't nothing bring me down, I said
Bring me down
Can't nothing bring me down
The level's too high to bring me down
Can't nothing bring me down, I said
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Bring me down
Can't nothing bring me down
The level's too high to bring me down
Can't nothing bring me down, I said
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Because I'm happy
Because I'm happy
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do (come on)

ABOUT SKYLARK

My brand, Skylark Live, consists of a weekly newsletter; Skylark Live Town News, and a monthly vlog; 60 and Beyond with Skylark. I’m still mulling around the idea of monthly in-person chats called The Skylark Sessions. This is a work in progress. They are all designed to inspire and motivate people to thrive in older age through knowledge and self-awareness at 60 and beyond. Andiamo! Let's go!

Skylark Live Town News - My weekly newsletter features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, motivation, music, places I've been to, and ideas I want to explore. I represent Bay Shore and towns beyond. There is also a calendar of events. And, I throw in Italian words because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a paying subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. That gives you a head's up. You can also advertise your business or event on my newsletter. Just click this link to subscribe For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter!

60 and Beyond with Skylark Vlog - This is my first Monday-of-the month vlog that is inspirational and motivational and is a reflection of what I've written about in my newsletter throughout the month. My vlog is recorded and posted on my YouTube channel, as well as on my Patreon account and my social media sites. Just click my YouTube channel link to subscribe:

Support me on Patreon - This is where you can support my brand for just $5 a month. This enables me to carve out time to write my newsletter and create my vlogs. Just click the link: Skylark Live | 60 and Beyond with Skylark | Patreon

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Thank you for your love and support. Apprezza la giornata. Cherish the day. Saluti! Cheers!