Do you sometimes look into the mirror and feel unloved?

Try this.  Look through and beyond.

It is very easy for us to forget as we look into the mirror that if the glass we look into had no silver in it, then we would be looking not into a mirror at ourselves but  through a window at others. – And we just might realize how well off we are and how desperately the rest of the world needs our love.

A fear of committing ourselves, of taking a step beyond our own comfort zone, often holds us back from offering to others the kind of uncompromising love exemplified by a newborn.  And it is in offering our love that we receive love.

A happy way to experience age-esteem is to

• look beyond yourself to the needs of others,
• stretch out of your comfort zone and
• find a way to share your talents and love with those less fortunate.

Bonnie Happiness at Every Age age-esteem, every age, happiness, love

Help Others

An important trait of people with high age-esteem is that they are happy and help others.

After an exhaustive study, the prestigious Pew Society in the United States came to the conclusion that the more people give of themselves to others in terms of time, money or other things, the happier they are. Not only that, they feel that in giving, they are the ones who receive more.

You want to be happy?  Find ways to help others!

• Identify people around you who seem truly happy.
• Interview these people about how they are helping others.  Do they build part of their leisure and/or budget with that purpose?   Even though they don’t normally talk about it spontaneously, you’re bound to find that they are regularly contributing to the lives of others in some way.
• Test the concept personally.  Build in an activity that focuses on others rather than on you.

Help others.  Build your age-esteem and find happiness at every age.

Bonnie Happiness at Every Age contributing, happiness, Pew Society, United States

Reach Out: When we reach outwards, thinking of and doing for others, we have less time to dwell on our self. Being involved in a project to help others gives us better perspective and a meaningful purpose. We grow and learn.

• Ask yourself what talents and interests you have that you are not using. How would you like to use these?
• Look for opportunities to contribute at least one hour every two weeks to a school, charity, social service or club. Ask friends, search the Internet, read announcements.
• Make a commitment to contribute your time and talents as the next step to building this dimension of your happiness. It will also enhance your confidence and age-esteem.

If you want to be happy, just be happy!

Bonnie Happiness at Every Age confidence, happiness, help others, perspective, purpose, reach out

Play: Why is it that when we become teenagers we decide that certain activities or games are too childish for us? Being silly and playful is wonderful at any age. Play is energizing and creates laughter. It helps us to bond with others of all generations.

• Choose something silly or outrageous that you’ve wanted to do, and do it! Sing in the rain, skip in the park, fly paper airplanes, wear that silly hat that makes you feel happy. Start with something simple and build from there.
• Invite friends for an evening of play: board games, volley ball, or acting out a play. Even those who drag their heels in the beginning will admit they had a good time.

Bonnie Happiness at Every Age childish, games, happiness, outrageous, play, sing

Do you feel like you’re walking a tightrope with all that you have to do and want to do?

Balance your life: Happy people tend to have a balance among exercise, healthy food, positive relationships, adequate sleep, and their main activity (studies, parenting, career, etc.).

• Take a tough look at your own balance. What works well? What is missing? Prioritize the activities you want to build into your schedule.
• Choose priority one to begin this week.
• Decide how to build this activities into your life. Will you drop or reduce another activity? Will you get up earlier? Stay up later?
• Act on this priority to put it in balance with your other activities. As soon as it seems to be in harmony with the others, move on to priority two.

Bonnie Happiness at Every Age balance, exercise, happiness, harmony, positive relationships

Even if your first reaction to “Just be happy” is “Bah, Hum Bug”, give yourself a chance. Multiple research shows that people who have a positive attitude and are optimistic live happier, healthier lives. Test these AgeEsteem techniques for finding happiness at every age.

Smile: Did you know that it’s impossible to be depressed when you smile and look up?

• If you’re feeling low, smile! Smiling actually makes you feel happier.
• Need help? Put a pencil horizontally across the front of your mouth. It forces the edges of your mouth up, making you feel better. Look at yourself in the mirror. Who knows? You may really smile!
• Look up! Do this when you are caught in traffic, too. Rather than stress out, look up. You will feel better – and there is a whole new world up there to discover.

Bonnie Happiness at Every Age depressed, feel better, happiness, optimistic, positive attitude, smile

“If you want to be happy, just be happy!”

This may sound simplistic, but let the strength of the message sink in. Yes! If you want to be happy, just be happy.

Your happiness depends on you. Think about it. No one can force you to be happy or to be sad. You control your emotions. Whether you’re a teen, a single parent, or a retiring professional, how you greet each new day or deal with unwelcome surprises is up to you. Do you see the glass half empty and feel sorry for yourself? Or do you choose to imagine the glass half full and learn from the situation and the challenges it presents?

Your happiness is up to you no matter what your age, income or physical condition. Decide to be happy!

Bonnie Happiness at Every Age happiness, income, retiring professional