Mary Ann Hayes

The older I get, the more I realize the importance of positive thinking; you know, walking in the sunshine and avoiding the shadows in our minds. We gaze into the future and wonder what lies beyond the little bit we can see. Our economy is terrible, the housing market is failing, businesses and families are sinking quicker than life preservers can reach them, and health care is no longer affordable. It’s a frightening time for everyone let alone for us baby boomers.

Looking forward to retirement was supposed to be fun. That was back in the days when we thought we actually could retire. It’s getting more difficult to imagine living on investments that have all but disappeared and social security than is anything but secure. Social what? Did you say security?

Yet when we get right down to it, we all have a choice to make and it is a decision that will affect the rest of our lives. The choice is:  how will we decide to view life. Is the glass half full or is it half empty?

I took an inventory of my physical self the other day and even though things could be better, nothing is really all that bad. In fact, with the constant stream of information available to us on-line, we can do a lot of taking care of ourselves. I no longer run off to the doctor for almost anything  let alone every little thing. I turn on my computer and get to work. I know what I should weigh compared to what I do weigh, what I should and should not eat for my cholesterol, and how to keep my heart strong and my teeth white. I’ve managed my menopause with supplements, diet and exercise, and books upon books full of advise. From it all, I’ve developed a personal program  and I must say is working quite well.

Another thing: I no longer look at our aging vehicles with disdain. Now, don’t get me wrong. A new car would be nice. I don’t think we’ve ever waited this long or put more miles on our vehicles than right now.  Yet, when we talk about it, we conclude the following: They are reliable, they’ve been paid for forever, and we no longer care what anybody thinks. Then we go out and wash and vacuum and get em looking so good we wonder just exactly what it was we didn’t like about them anyway.

Our family is wonderful but far from perfect. We have our ups and downs, good times and bad times, yet, we all love each other. Love and good health is about all you can ask for in a family, don’t you think?  It’s enough as far as I’m concerned. Our friends become more dear to our hearts as time marches on and we are forever grateful for those that have remained in our lives over the years. Having good friends and good family is better than having a bunch of good toys. Material things don’t love back – people do.

So, when the rain comes I chose to look at the gray sky and thank God for the beauty it cultivates, and when the wind gusts thirty miles per hour, I realize it sure cleans up the air and moves those eastern Washington wind mills. When I get sick I take my vitamins, eat chicken noodle soup and nap. I throw on an extra layer of clothes rather than turn the heat up any higher and have decided to make due with what we have rather than run off to the grocery store for that one missing ingredient.

Life is what we make it and I chose to make it the best I can with what we’ve got.  A glass in my world is always half full. What do you think?

Later,

Mary Ann