There is no question in my mind that we were put on this Earth by our Maker to be happy. If you don't believe this name a single philosopher, theologian or modern day guru who says otherwise. In fact, I am reminded that our forefathers founded this nation to allow us to pursue happiness along with life and liberty. (They come first). It's awful tough to be happy if you're dead! It's not as difficult if your are not free, but tough nevertheless. That's the reason so many people came to our shores now and throughout history as in, "Send me your huddled masses yearning to breathe free"
There is a difference, though, between being happy because some thing "good" happened to us , for example we received a present versus being happy as a state of being as in "He is a happy person." That's what we mean by happiness, a state of being. And something we Boomers should strive for especially in the Second Half when we've left our work and career in the rear view mirror and have time to indulge ourselves examining some of life's more important issues . Besides, it's pragmatic to do so, happy people are better able to handle the ups and down of life, i.e. aging when they have a happy or sunny disposition.
I know some of you are thinking yeah that's ok for you but to say but most happy people I know were born that way. There is some truth to that. Martin Seligman a well know psychologist from the University of Pennsylvania says we each have a happiness "set point". He also believes we can increase our level of happiness beyond our "set point".
That we fail to do this is the result of several factors including, we don't believe we deserve to be to be happy, we don't want to be happy, we don't know how to be happy. It could be all three!
Are you a Boomer? Are you about to enter your Second Half? Are you already in your Second Half? Are you as happy as you'd like to be? If not, which of the three reasons apply to you? And, what can you do about it?
Helping Boomers Be More and Do More in The Second Half
About Me
- Gary Billings, Ph.D.
- I am one of 80 million Boomers many of whom are entering what is often called the Second Half. For many of us it can be a difficult transition because we must deal with many complex issues including, managing our finances during a deep, deep recession, finding a new purpose and identity outside of work, finding an outlet for our talents and abilities, reintroducing oursleves to our spouses and staying physically and mentally fit. The purpose of my blog is to help you deal with these and other issues as you enter the Second Half. Much of what I will share is based on my ongoing efforts to find the happiness and well-being each of us have worked for and deserve at this time of our lives. I hope you will find my posts easy to read, relevant and practical. I encourage your comments, questions and suggestions for future posts. As for my backgound. Before retiring I was an educator, corporate executive and management consultant. My doctorate is in Education with major in organizational behavior earned from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.
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