Happiness for Old Folks

I found in adjusting to being an older person, now 80 years old has been a struggle at times.. I moved to a Senior Community a few years ago and have met many Seniors… and have learned from them what and how I wanted my life to be. Many people are busy-busy like they are running away from something…others are shrinking their lives and withdrawing with self pity… I have the balance for me to appreciate my quiet times alone to meditate, watch the wild life in my yard, be with my own animals, reading and just being still…
And reaching out with courage to do new things like learning how to play May Jongg, joining groups offering new relationships and experiences.
I appreciate and am grateful for everyday I have, even if I walk with a Walker or Cane, get very tired and just unable to do what I want to sometimes and have some medical problems.. I have found peace and grace at this point in my last Chapter in life.

I...am missing your point here, I think, sorry.

in reply to @edsutton I just finished a great book, The Life of Meaning, that was written by Jungian Analyst, James Hollis, and I found it very insightful in terms of "aging." You know, preparing ourselves for the "final phase" of our lives. I also have a postcard adjacent to my bed that says, "Grateful," reminding me every morning when I wake up that "I got another day, many did not...." It works. The older I get, having just turned 63, I have finally realized that while my circle of friends has changed, it is more about quality, not quantity. And while I am not a religious person, I have joined an Episcopal church to meet kind people. A recent "blessing of the pets" planted a seed in my brain, and now I am giving thought to giving a greyhound a "forever" home. They are rescued from a racing track in Florida. I never thought I could get another dog, but I miss the companionship that only a dog can give. Thank you

So true, happiness and positive attitude are so important. I have battled an aggressive stage 3 cancer that I cannot get rid of. I enjoy life every day through my struggles and happiness. Attitude may not be the cure, but attitude goes a long way in quality of one's life.

I'll be quiet after this.
To restate and focus the topic:

Neurologist Antonio Damasio states that feelings come from the physical state of our body. This may be in response to an external situation or in response to a thought, but the feeling itself is a body state. This body state has a strong influence on our thinking, usually unconscious.

Paul Eckmann, who revolutionized the study of human emotions, catalogued how the muscles of the human face express different emotions. He suggested that when we imitate faces expressing different emotions, we will tend to feel those emotions. If we can move the muscles of our face we can move our feelings.

Marco Iacoboni (and others) write about emotional mirroring. We understand what others are feeling by unconsciously imitating their facial expressions. People whose facial muscles cannot make emotional expressions have limited ability to feel or understand emotions. Their own feelings and other peoples' feelings.

So, my personal experiences, plus some reading and thinking, have led me to a very simple understanding of "basic happiness."
-Happiness is a basic and valid feeling experience in its own right.
-Because happiness feels good, it is good to be able to feel happiness just because it feels good. -Other "reasons why" are not necessary. (Though they are surely welcome!)
-We can learn the expressive "body cues" that cause happy feelings.
-For folks growing old, this may be a crucial skill that can change the balance of our feelings in difficult moments.
-It's really worth a try. If Happiness is too strong a word for you, substitute "Peace" or "Contentment."

I dedicate this to our late Uncle Carl who, in his 90s continued to smile and twinkle his eyes.
He said: "It's amazing how many things can be wrong with you and you still feel good!"

Greyhounds are wonderful.
And make friends with other greyhound people.
They are very kind people, and can help with special greyhound concerns.

Yes, thanks. The woman I met who had one, said there was a Facebook group of Greyhound owners who are very supportive of one another. For example, if one goes away for the weekend, another member will take care of the dog. The woman at church's dog was age 13 and was stunningly beautiful. I have looked at smaller dogs, but I want a "real" dog. My last one was a "staffy." 78 pounds. Almost as heavy as me. LOL

in reply to @edsutton About that physical state. I am getting IVIG bi-weekly, and while it has taken some time to adapt to the IV treatment, I can say with certainty that I am just as active, if not more, than I was prior to the infusions. Of course I had a 6 month hiatus, but once that passed, I was back to my old self. As my neurologist pointed out to me yesterday, "it's all about your thought process," and I feel terrific, finally

Yes, there is a Facebook group of Greyhound rescuers, meaning if I needed to go away, someone in the group would take care of the dog. I think I will be ready for one after the first of the year after the bad side effects of the IVIG stabilize. Thanks so much

Anyone have a catchy name for a new dog. My last dog was Ducky, the name given by the SPCA. I don't want anything like Reese, Sparky....you get the idea. It would be a female dog. I had a cat once, Teddy, how does that sound? My partner refused to give her to me when I fled, and the cat had been a gift, a beautiful Maine Coon that slept on my head, and Ducky at my feet. LOL