Turns out the shape of happiness is a U.
According to an article in this month’s Atlantic, our happiness levels have a U shape over the course of our lives: higher in our twenties, lower during midlife, and rising again in our late 50’s and early 60’s. The What struck me as I read the article was story after story of people struggling with happiness in midlife because life hadn’t turned out like they thought it would. They hadn’t advanced in their careers or written the great American novel. They had divorced, their children were struggling, or they were caring for aging parents.
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Psalm 100
1 Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.[a]
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
May you and your families be
blessed with many reasons for
joy and thanksgiving.
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This morning Lord, I am thankful for the little gifts that you’ve sprinkled throughout my days…
- What is it about that first sip of hot coffee in the morning? Even my inexpensive stuff from our Super Wal-Mart makes me smile in anticipation. The aroma…oh such a beautiful aroma! Thank you God, for that first sip of coffee.
- My white towels are stacked on top of the washer. Folding them as I pull them from the dryer, the white fluffiness gives me pleasure. Why didn’t I think of white towels and bleach when my sons were little? So easy! Thank you God, for my folded towels.
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I admit it.
It is never easy for me to give thanks during trying circumstances. But, in an effort to grow in gratitude, humility, and communion with my Jesus, I attempt to see the blessings in the trials:
*I am thankful for my little monkey of a toddler, flipping over the sides of the couch…because it means he is healthy and curious enough to do it.
*I am thankful for the crumbs, scraps, and dirt that I am sweeping from my faux hardwood floors again today…because it means that little hands were busy creating, and that we had food enough to generate the mess.
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Lord, I’m thankful for electronic reminders that keep me from forgetting important appointments.
Lord, I’m thankful for email and video calls that allow me to stay connected with family and friends far away.
Lord, I’m thankful for cell phones that make me less fearful about my kids.
Lord, I’m thankful for information that is available in an instant.
Lord, I’m thankful that Your Word is mobile, searchable, and sharable.
Father God, help me to remember as I go through my day that You have made the technology that we have possible. Every time I email, call, do a web search, or read your Word in digital formats, remind me to praise You.
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Written on
November 21, 2012 by
Carol in
Blog
In a cabin on the edge of the Smoky Mountains, she sits together at a table with her parents and children. In her eyes are strength and beauty, but behind them there is brokenness and despair.
Her one true love left the earth too soon and the thought of going through the holidays without him is almost too much. In the quiet of her mind, she has relived the entire last Thanksgiving – the meal, the conversations, the games played and even the private laughs they shared when no one else was around.
She isn’t alone. There are many today who will take this day one breath at a time.
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