Letter from Southport
AUGUST 2021
ABOUT THE COVER
BRUNSWICK SENIOR BUZZ
5
Happiness Happens
I
recently read, “Some people could be given an entire field of roses and only see the thorns in it. Others could be given a single weed and only see the wildflower in it. Perception is a key component to gratitude. And gratitude is a key component to joy.”
Photo by Carmen Daughtry
Carmen Daughtry took this summery photo of the sunrise on Sunset Beach—you can almost feel the heat of the day star ng. In the background you may catch a glimpse of The Isles Restaurant on the west end of Ocean Isle Beach. Read more about Daughtry and her work on page 4.
BRUNSWICK SENIOR BUZZ EDITOR Shelagh Clancy buzz@bsrinc.org (910) 622-1036 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mallory Balice, Melissa Catlett, Casey Freed, Beth Klahre, Joan Leotta, Donna Ruth Morgan, Pat Naughton, Sandy Porcaro, Marilou Smith, René Tarquinio CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Carmen Daughtry, Jillian Hardin, Joan Leotta, Veronica Lett-McGee, Teresa Nelson, Holley Norris, Amy Segen ADVERTISING SALES (910) 754-2300 Anita Langin alangin@bsrinc.org Shelagh Clancy buzz@bsrinc.org © 2020 Brunswick Senior Resources Inc. All rights reserved
www.bsrinc.org
In essence, this quote is saying that people are only as happy as they want to be. August is National Happiness Happens month. Joy can be found anywhere. Everywhere. Sometimes we must look pretty hard for it, but it is there for the taking. Abraham Lincoln once said, “Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”
A Challenging Time The past year and a half has had plenty of horrible times, sadness, fear, and frustration. We have lost loved ones, seen others’ conditions deteriorate, said goodbye to those who moved away. Compounded by isolation and having the center closed, happy times seemed a distant memory. It was difficult for staff to come into an empty building, devoid of the happy sounds of our beloved participants. The building itself felt sad. Fast forward to June 7. Opening the front door at 8 a.m. was like the first day of school, knowing I would see all of our dear friends again. With the opening of the door, laughter and happiness filled our halls and our hearts again. It felt like all was right with the world, finally. Smiling faces and catching up with loved ones breathed new life
Melissa Catle , Director The Brunswick Center at Southport
into this center. My gratitude is never-ending for the ability to be able to reopen.
Happiness Begets Happiness A grateful heart will bring about happiness every time. Even in the midst of great loss, there is always something to be grateful for. Happiness begets happiness. Oprah Winfrey said that it was not until she learned to be happy that good things started happening to her. These days, it feels more important than ever to have smiles, hugs, laughter, closeness, and yes, happiness. If you are struggling in your pursuit of happiness, here are some self-help books you could try: The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, and Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. After all, happiness is a choice, and an excellent one.
