40’s & 50’s

I have a new appreciation for individuals who have reached their 40’s and 50’s, it seems they know more about themselves than any other generation today. They are content, and they are turning the establishment upside-down. When you see the success of our dear friend Oprah Winfrey, you see a lady that knows herself, knows what makes her happy, and has found her passion in life.

I’ve recently read a wonderful post by a newfound friend named Cathy, she has her own corner of real estate at NancyDrewAndMe.blogspot.com, and she writes about being in the 40 something category, and further reading, you get a sense of.. Wow.. this girl’s got it going on, and she’s not too shy to tell us what’s going on… true, we may never have all the answers in life, but in searching for our own purpose, it’s always good to seek those who have found their purpose and who are walking in that light with a sense of knowing themselves…

So, in this age, where instant gratification, wealth, and power rule the day, I remind you that true happiness comes from within and is always a choice. You have a choice to be happy, and while striving for the higher ground, let’s not forget to smile once in a while, or else life will have passed us by…

Cathy writes in a recent post, “Happiness, as I have learned the hard way, is something you choose and is a joyful by-product of choosing to serve only one Master and in walking faithfully and quietly in His ways.”

More power to Cathy, Nancy Drew, and we don’t even have to wish Oprah well, because it seems she has everything down already… But, as we grow in our age, we always hope that wisdom follows, and we are always inspired by individuals who share to us their experiences in life.

Confucius and Sheryl Crow

You’re probably thinking to yourself what does Sheryl Crow have to do with happiness, and lumped in the same title with Confucius… but, it’s rare nowadays that musicians actually quote a famous philosopher, especially Confucius, but on that rare occasion, we should acknowledge it. Remember, the song “Soak up the Sun” and the single line of lyrics “It’s not having what you want, It’s wanting what you’ve got”, here’s what Confucius has to say about that…

“Happiness does not consist in having what you want, but wanting what you have”

It makes sense, but many individuals predicate their whole life and happiness upon whether or not they have achieved their goals and material objects. In a sense they say to themselves, “I will be happy when I achieve this, or I have that”, but what they don’t realize is that you can be happy while striving for your goals, that happiness is not an “if and a then statement” in which you say, “If this, then I will be happy”…

So, let’s heed some good advice and be happy. It’s our choice.

Here’s “Soak up the Sun” video and lyrics for you to enjoy and sing to!

“Soak Up The Sun” lyrics - Sheryl Crow

My friend the communist

Holds meetings in his RV

I can’t afford his gas

So I’m stuck here watching TV

I don’t have digital

I don’t have diddly squat

It’s not having what you want

It’s wanting what you’ve got

[CHORUS:]
I’m gonna soak up the sun

Gonna tell everyone

To lighten up (I’m gonna tell ‘em that)

I’ve got no one to blame

For every time I feel lame

I’m looking up o I’m gonna soak up the sun

I’m gonna soak up the sun

I’ve got a crummy job

It don’t pay near enough

To buy the things it takes

To win me some of your love

Every time I turn around

I’m looking up, you’re looking down

Maybe something’s wrong with you

That makes you act the way you do

Maybe i am crazy too

[CHORUS]

I’m gonna soak up the sun

While it’s still free

I’m gonna soak up the sun

Before it goes out on me

Don’t have no master suite

I’m still the king of me

You have a fancy ride, but baby

I’m the one who has the key

Every time I turn around

I’m looking up, you’re looking down

Maybe something’s wrong with you

That makes you act the way you do

Maybe I am crazy too

[CHORUS]

I’m gonna soak up the sun

Got my forty-five on

So I can rock on.