WHY MIDLIFE'S FABULOUS - HAPPINESS

The A-Z Challenge ~ Why Midlife's Fabulous ~ Happiness

CLOUDS AND LININGS

One of the biggest lessons Midlife has taught me is that the key to happiness lies firmly and securely in my own pocket. I am responsible for how I see life and I get to choose whether to look for the silver lining, or wallow in the rain cloud. Give me a silver lining any day!

Over the last few years I've made many positive changes in my life. I've left the job behind that was sucking the joy slowly out of my life, I've given up doing things out of a sense of duty and obligation, and I've taken a step back from a lot of the things that were wearing me down. Because of these changes, my sense of happiness has increased exponentially.

APPRECIATING THE LITTLE THINGS

It's so important to appreciate the moment - I can be strolling along, or cruising around on my pushbike and I'll look at the beauty around me and think how fortunate I am to be a part of it. This feeling oozes up inside me and gives me a tangible sense of peace and contentment.

I relish having a husband who has loved me for more than 30 years. I look at our home and think how blessed I am to have a house that is more than what we need, with enough room for our kids when they visit and want to stay for a while.

I am so proud that our children are doing so well with their spouses and with their careers and are settled into their own lives. It's such a pleasure to see they've grown into really fine adults who are a credit to us as their parents. 

OWNING MY HAPPINESS

I've come to realize that I am allowed to feel happy. I don't have to question why I feel that way or worry about it not lasting. I don't have to feel guilty because my life has (finally) settled into a place where there are no major upheavals and things are going smoothly. Midlife has given me permission to feel a sense of contentment, to be open to feeling like I deserve to be happy and I don't have to justify it to myself or to anyone else.

There are no guarantees for tomorrow or for what will happen down the track, but I am enjoying this time in the sunshine and savouring the moment. It's lovely to feel this quiet happiness and to be thankful for it. I am truly blessed by God and by this life I am in the process of living.

Life is going by - don't waste a minute - choose to be happy!

If you'd like to read more about Happiness you can go HERE or HERE.
See you tomorrow for I- which is for the Invisible?


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20 comments

  1. Sounds like things are going extremely well for you. Leanne. That's a wonderful place to be. I can relate to most of this, too, although leaving my job was a decision made for me during a 'downsizing'. In the end, it was the best thing that could have happened! Happy Week Two of the A to Z! ☺

    Debbie @ THE DOGLADY'S DEN
    Latest Post: HELLO, I LOVE YOU: Stuck behind bars!

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  2. It definitely is our choice to be happy isn't it Leanne? I know sometimes I wake up and feel blah and then I do some yoga and just reflect on all the good things in life and suddenly life doesn't seem that bad. I can't keep up with your A to Z posts! Keep going though.

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  3. How wonderful this is. It is also interesting to me that we need to give ourselves permission to be ...'content' 'happy' or maybe to be 'left alone'. I think after decades of 'serving others' it remains something that is a bit foreign until WE take charge of it for ourselves. Thanks for linking up for #lifethisweek 15/52. Next week is 'A Special Memory'.

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  4. It's good when you take on happiness in a positive and active way rather than letting yourself take on negative feelings. If we have to work at most things we do, to do them well then it is logical we should work a being happy too.
    A to Z Theme: Sharing Family History via #GenealogyPhotoADay.
    By Fran from TravelGenee Blog

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  5. You've nailed it with this post - happiness lies in our own hands, appreciate all the moments and even the little things. And long may it continue. Your post is a happy post.

    Suzy at Someday Somewhere - Help Comes ...

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  6. Uplifting post, and you're so right. So much of our emotions are up to us. Choosing to be happy is a big one. Thank you.

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  7. Lost my comment, a great post!

    http://slimexpectations.com/2017/04/letter-h/

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  8. I'm reading this immediately after seeing a friend post on Facebook the fact she misses being 20 and laments not having the wisdom she possesses now when she was young. I'm with you, sister. I would not go back for all the money in the world…

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  9. I definitely choose to be happy! Even when I wake up in the night and can't sleep and dark thoughts begin to swirl. Things you know will never happen. (I mean, how many gorillas are going to corner you in your dining room while you cower under the table?)
    Yep. I'm choosing happiness! :)

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  10. I agree with every word of this post! Thank you for sharing your joy. :)

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  11. This post brought me joy! I choose to be joyful too!

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  12. I would not trade the turmoil of younger years for where I am now, although I would love to have that young body back. Excellent post.

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  13. Our happiness should not be dependent on anyone....it's a choice we should make for our well-being.

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  14. We all need to own our happiness...no one or nothing can make us happy but us...because everything else can be taken away in the blink of an eye... So own it! And don't worry about tomorrow A-Z post...if it is invisible, you don't have to do one...LOL

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  15. I think that as we get older, we do get better about focusing energy on those things that make us happy. It is definitely a benefit of midlife.WeekendsInMaine

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  16. Not sure if my comment went through, so here I go again:
    What a wonderful post, it's so true, it's up to us to choose how to look at life and things!
    Good for you to quit your dreaded job. I hope you'll find one that you love!

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  17. Thanks for attending the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty, I shared your post.

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  18. It's wonderful to be at a place where happiness is truly appreciated! Thanks for sharing at Over the Moon - I feel good just reading this.

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  19. I love that final quote and also your paragraph where you say you don't have to wonder why you're happy, just be in the moment and enjoy it. I'm all for that! Thanks so much for spreading your happy and linking up to #HighlightsofHappy . Would be lovely to see you again next week...

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Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.