Happiness

The New York Times had a headline teaser that said "A Century of Happiness Research has yielded one big clue." They didn't tell you the answer unless you subcribed, but I googled and found the answer from several resources with the same title. The answer to happiness,research says the key to happiness is SOCIAL CONNECTIONS.

There are so many ways to make social connections. For example, after I had to give up a lot of former activities due to problems with my back and knees, such as The Outdoor Club, and my volunteer tour guiding, (both of these are great ways to make friends) I still had my lunch friends. From my career as a teacher and from these activities I had made one or two staunch friends who still meet even though I can't hike or kayak any more. We have lunch and catch up on what's going on in one another's lives! Two I am meeting this Monday have both just returned from traveling and will share their photos and adventures with me. We share many other things as well, family stories, best books, good movies, health issues and solutions, to name just a few.

Walking the dog also gives you the opportunity to make new friends. I met a neighbor who was painting his fence where I walked my dog and his wife and I have become good friends and often walk together. We have added another neighbor to our little friendship group and we three lunch each month together now.

Seven years ago, I returned to a faith community, the Society of Friends. I had been a member many years ago in Philadelphia, but lost touch after I moved to New Jersey. I rejoined at Woodbury Friends Meeting and I truly enjoy both our discussion group at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, and the Meeting for Silent Worship that follows from 11:00 to 12:00. I have made two new fast friends from this group, one of whom is an artist as am I.

Our Secniors Community Center in Mt. Ephraim has bloomed since we elected our new mayor, Susan Carney. She added classes in chair yoga, fitness, games and other activities and going to any of these is an excellent way to get fit and make new friends.

So, don't sit alone in your house watching a news channel all day, get out and about! Make friends!

Recently some Philadelphia family members of mine moved to New Jersey and now that we are geographically closer, I treat my young great-niece to lunch once a month. We have gotten to know one another much better and really enjoy that time together, plus it has brought a young person into my senior citizen world. Speaking of family, I am blessed to have a sister nearby and we get together every week or two. She means the world to me.

Attending some community events and historical site events is also a great way to meet people!

Happy trails! Jo Ann

wrightj45@yahoo.com (e-mail for discussion as the comments section of this blog spot is polluted by spam, thank you)