midlifejourney.com

Midlifers? It’s more than time to determine how the rest of your life is going to go. In the beginning, the early years, circumstances dictate so much of our lives. Where we live, how healthy we are, educational opportunities, friends, etc. The world is small. And then, we grow beyond the small world of early childhood and into those awful teen years where stretching and testing every boundary is just a natural part of growing up. The 20s and 30s are bigger. Edges blur and we are eager to try just about anything, go anywhere, test the waters.

For most of us, the circle begins to stabalize at this point: spouse, partner, work, children, home, we set down roots and settle in to some spot. For some, the roots get ripped up soon enough, the business fails, the partner moves on to someone else, the children grow and leave. Even if the roots are still growing deep as the years pass, the ground is sure to shift. And everything that seemed so stable, begins to rattle a little. Even our knees begin to squeak.

The key to happiness in midlife is to find it in yourself: It’s your choice. Take responsiblity for making it happen for yourself. Don’t look outside to work, though that can be satisfying, or a partner, though that can be fulfilling. It’s more of developing an attitude of expectation and optimism. Things are getting better. Every day. Say it. Outloud.

Saying it outloud-even you are the only one who hears your voice, makes happiness possible. It does. You are responsible for your own happiness.

So, is my name Pollyanna?