On CNBC’s Make It, 107-year-old Shirley Hodes shares her secret to a long and happy life: Don’t wait for your dreams to come true.
Shirley Hodes, who celebrated her 107th birthday earlier this month in North Carolina, says, “Not everyone has their dreams come true.” If you want to be happy in life, especially as you age, “you must look at other things besides dreams.”
That philosophy means reorienting yourself towards finding joy in small things, in what you can control, and in wanting what you already have. It is about being grateful.
“You must be content with who you are and what you can expect of yourself. Find things that are satisfying,” Hodes says.
Cultivating this kind of happiness mindset requires effort. But the work can pay off: Positivity is linked to a longer and healthier life.
Here are top tips for staying happy as you get older.
- Think of yourself as fortunate and blessed. Be thankful for all the things and people currently in your life.
- Believe that tomorrow will be better than today.
- Focus less on what others have and more on the aspects of life you can feel grateful for. Don’t get swept up in jealousy or resentment,
- Find delight daily in the small things. I listened to books on tape, took walks, watched old movies on TV, and had a scoop of ice cream after dinner. Most importantly, family and friends.
Source: 107-year-old shares her secret to a long and happy life: Don’t wait for your dreams to come true https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/21/107-year-old-shares-her-secrets-to-happiness-as-you-age.html