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I just attended the Philadelphia Professional Women’s Conference. Although the focus was business driven, there were a few key note speakers who spoke on the emotional component of life.
Martha Beck, a Life Coach and columnist “O,” The Oprah Magazine, illustrated to a group of several thousand women on finding the ” Golden Treasure Chest” inside us.
Even before I heard Ms.Beck, I had already decided that I was going to write about what “happiness” meant to me.
So, it was only fitting that I should mention her “Golden Treasure Chest” approach to happiness and fulfillment.
It would be impossible to retell it her way, but this is what the gist is…
Look to the left and right of you, above and below you, then inside of you. Think about what can you put in your “Golden Treasure Chest” for which you feel happy and at peace.
In no particular order, these are SOME of the things that fill MY “Golden Treasure Chest”…
- Having dinner with my whole family at home, at my kitchen table
- Getting a foot rub from my husband
- Having my young adult children say they love my cooking over any one else’s
- Being surprised by my college aged son coming home for a visit
- Celebrating my aging parents and in-laws birthdays and welcoming in another year
- Watching television with my children; football, hockey and baseball, Dexter, Boardwalk empire, and Castle… and, yes, there are more!
- Watching all my kids get along and showing true love for one another
- Having friends I can count on no matter the circumstance.
- Seeing friends I haven’t seen in years and picking up where we left off
- Receiving flowers from my children- sometimes for a reason, and sometimes just because
- Having my spouse empty the dishwasher and do the laundry without asking
- Hearing “I love you” from your children no matter their age
- And, last but not least… having the privilege of being a mother, daughter, sister and spouse to my family!
I could go on but I think it’s pretty clear that love, family and friendships drive happiness. Being 50+ has given me the ability to appreciate the most important things in life.
As our world is so volatile and our financial security is tenuous at best, we need to believe in the half full version of life. Soak up the good times with your elderly parents, savor the moments you have with your growing or grown up children. Your empty- nester years are approaching- enjoy as much you can, take the time and make it count.
