This week there were a couple of things that made me glad I am generally a “happy” person. This article in Psychology Today about research showing that “individuals with greater optimism are more likely to live longer and to achieve ‘exceptional longevity,’ that is, living to age 85 or older.” And this article about the “Positive Affect”, people who feel cheerful are less likely to experience memory decline as they age. I do think I am a cheerful person, and most people would probably use that word to describe me. For awhile I felt people meant I was sappy or naive; but I am fine with that descriptor now! My crotchety Aunt Nelita even gave me this one year for Christmas(when I was 13 or 14). She said I was the happiest person she knew.
