A Matter of Faith...

By Carol Round

How to be Happy

“Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob, and whose hope is in the Lord his God.” Psalm 146:5 (NLV)

Someone once asked me what made me happy. Without hesitation, I replied, “Helping others.”

Many people are searching for happiness. Most fail in their quest because they are looking in all the wrong places. They’re trying to find it in someone or something outside of themselves.

A relationship with the Lord is the foundation for happiness. When we build on that foundation, then we can fully experience happiness. I recently came across the following list of Ten Rules for Happier Living:

1. Give something away.
2. Do a kindness.
3. Give thanks always.
4. Work with vim and vigor.
5. Visit the elderly and learn from their experience.
6. Look intently into the face of a baby and marvel.
7. Laugh often—it’s life’s lubricant.
8. Pray to know God’s way.
9. Plan as though you will live forever—you will.
10. Live as though today is your last day on earth.

When you reflect on these rules, you also realize that they don’t require money. They are not complicated. They don’t come with a list of additional steps. Nor do they come with a list of ingredients that you have to buy at the store. Anyone can follow them.

Over the past few years, I have made an observation about people who have lived into their 80s and beyond. I am especially fascinated by those who have celebrated their 100th birthday and more. I want to know their secret because, God willing, I plan to live that long too.

Their secret? It’s not just in the genes. Nor is it just a healthy lifestyle. They have followed some or all of the ten rules listed above.

A 104-year-old Kansas man was recently recognized as “America’s Oldest Worker,” an honor given to him at a ceremony in Washington. Ralph Waldo McBurney still goes to work at his honey business every day. Waldo attributes his longevity to three things: he never smoked nor drank, he ate his vegetables, and he keeps very busy. (See rule #4 above.)

Another centenarian, Rosella Mathieu, is 100. In addition to being an active herb grower, she has been keeping a journal of her journey through her later years and is contemplating writing a book of her experiences as a guide to others. "It's hard to get answers to questions you have as you get older,” she says. “I think that's one thing I can make a contribution on." She cares passionately about others, particularly as they enter the uncharted territory of life after 80. (See rules #2, 5, 9 and 10.)

I recently struck up a conversation with an 83-year-old gregarious woman while shopping at a bookstore. I learned that she would be celebrating her 84th birthday that week. When I told her that she didn’t look her age, she replied, “That’s because I have Jesus in my heart.”

With Jesus in your heart and a heart for others, you can’t go wrong. Happiness will be yours.

A collection of Carol Round’s most popular faith-based columns is now available in book form. For more information, readers can reach her at carolaround@yahoo.com.