[Villages PL]

According to "The Longevity Project", a study that started in 1922 and kept going until recently, optimism and/or happiness is not the secret to good health and longevity. Not that happiness isn't important, but happy cheerful children were more likely to live shorter lives than those who were more serious or "sober".

You can find out more by reading the book, "The Longevity Project". Chapter 4: "Happiness and Health? A Cheery Conundrum"

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

According to "The Longevity Project", a study that started in 1922 and kept going until recently, optimism and/or happiness is not the secret to good health and longevity. Not that happiness isn't important, but happy cheerful children were more likely to live shorter lives than those who were more serious or "sober".

You can find out more by reading the book, "The Longevity Project". Chapter 4: "Happiness and Health? A Cheery Conundrum"

You could read that book If you wanted to quell the happy and cheerful attitude you may now have.

[quirky3]

My serious and sober side tells me that joy and bliss can't be beat.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by quirky3

My serious and sober side tells me that joy and bliss can't be beat.

Graciegirl and quirky, I am trying my best not to take any joy in bringing this news.

[quirky3]

You probably feel differently, but quantity of life without quality is not for me.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by quirky3

You probably feel differently, but quantity of life without quality is not for me.

Do I hear an AMEN!!!!!

[eweissenbach]

However many years I have in this place, I'll take happy and cheerful over the alternative every one of those days.

[pooh]

You okay, VPL?

[Pturner]

Wonder how many years that cost me.

[shcisamax]

Another Amen here!

[ariel]

Maybe those who were abundantly cheerful didn't have as good an ability to deal with adversity or sorrow when it occurred in their lives. Wasn't it Gibran in "The Prophet" who talked about needing to experience sorrow to fully appreciate joy? Hopefully, in our lives we have more joy, happiness and laughter than we have sorrow; and enough seriousness to map out plans and work toward them.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

According to "The Longevity Project", a study that started in 1922 and kept going until recently, optimism and/or happiness is not the secret to good health and longevity. Not that happiness isn't important, but happy cheerful children were more likely to live shorter lives than those who were more serious or "sober".

You can find out more by reading the book, "The Longevity Project". Chapter 4: "Happiness and Health? A Cheery Conundrum"

Villages PL: My first thought was you were attempting to "fun us" but that is in another forum. Serious "sober", huh? Okay! All I can think to respond is what my favorite President once said "Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be." Abraham Lincoln Abe always had that serious and sober look but his life was short even for his time.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

Do I hear an AMEN!!!!!

AMEN..........

We always say that we raised two of the most cheerful optimistic children into adulthood and they are doing the same with their own little ones.

I'd rather be with a positive, cheerful, happy go lucky and joyful person than a negative rigid "my way or the highway" type individual who lives a spartan lifestyle out of fear of death and dying. We all leave this planet the same way.


All of these "surveys" and books are just another person's opinion, to which they are entitled to.......

So, Amen again..........

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Graciegirl and quirky, I am trying my best not to take any joy in bringing this news.

I would say it is more of one studies opinion. You know what they say about opinions, so I will wait for an opinion that agrees with mine and that is the secret to a happy and fulfilled life is one that is full of laughter and optimism rather it be 50 years or 100 years.

[graciegirl]

The post about having to experience sorrow in order to fully appreciate joy really is so true.

There are so many of us, I would say most of us seniors,who have had terrible, awful, overwhelming sorrow in our lives and some more than once.

When that happens, and time passes enough to heal the worst of it, we realize that we have an option to look for good times and to try to find joy and laughter again and when we do find it we realize that our emotional health is restored, although we won't forget the sad and bad things that happened.

Since we have felt pain and sadness, our compassion for others and our understanding of others has increased.

We realize that a long life is not granted to all and that we need to use the life we have to live sweetly and find as much joy and laughter as we can. Each day we must give ourselves the right to be happy and to spread happiness to others if we can. Life is not a dress rehearsal.