This Grandma recently went to a conference where the leader’s speech was about happiness. She said entire fields of study have emerged to research what makes us happy. Surprisingly, she said money has little correlation to happiness for those persons whose income is greater than $75,000 a year and there is no discernible difference in happiness levels between someone who makes $75,000 a year and a millionaire. Similarly, physical possessions, according to studies, bring no greater happiness.
So what brings us happiness? Studies show that the following three areas in life bring greater happiness:
1. Personal relationships. Our friendships and social interactions with others enhance our lives and sense of well-being and bring us happiness.
2. Personal Growth. Engaging in activities that enrich our minds and bodies and nourish our souls bring us happiness.
3. Making a difference in the world. Performing acts of kindness and charity brings us happiness.
Now what combines the above and brings us immeasurable happiness?
Grandparenting, of course!
And it is our duty to teach our grandchildren to bring happiness into their lives. We Grandmas can teach our grandchildren about how to be a good friend and the importance of friendships throughout one’s lives. My grandchildren think I am twelve so I have to be careful when I talk about lifetime friendships! But I do tell them how much I treasure friends I have had forever. We Grandmas can expose our grandchildren to travel, museums, theatre, the arts, and activities that expand their horizons. When Egypt became too dangerous a place to visit, grandpa and I took our grandchildren to the New York Metropolitan Museum and we all went inside a real Egyptian temple and touched a statute of a sphinx rebuilt inside the museum. When we went to the Easter Island exhibit and touched a moai statute before grandpa and my trip to Easter Island, the grandchildren asked why we needed to go anymore! We Grandmas can give our grandchildren the gift of making a difference in the world by exposing them to charities that help children less fortunate and make donations in their honor instead of one more toy at holiday time. My grandchildren have chosen UNICEF and a local charity that feeds poor children all the school year by filling backpacks with food for the weekends.
Sharing ourselves and our lives with our grandchildren helps us to remember the blessings in our lives and the happiness we have because our grandchildren are part of our lives.
The best time of life is now.
Joy,
Mema
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