As I get older, I am more interested in finding ways to keep my heart open. I am a positive person and I love to laugh, so I am resilient! I always enjoy sharing ways to stay open, so if anyone has something that works for them, I would love to hear it!

I like your topic choice, teddybear51. Being open is something that I also try to work on. One of the things that I do is make an effort to talk to at least three people a day that I have never talked to before. It can be as small as a complimenting someone on the great pair of shoes that they are wearing or even asking for directions. And I make an effort to establish eye contact and smile as I initiate these small "incidents". For me, it makes me pay attention to people instead of walking around in my own little world. I consider myself to be shy and making myself talk to people helps me feel less shy.

I think if you focus on YOU first and other things second you will always remain a happy, go lucky person. When I stopped trying to fix other folks and just work on me, things just seemed to fall into place.

One thing I do now, that I didn't in the past, was make ME time. As funny as it sounds, I make a date with myself once a week to pamper myself, whether it be sipping wine in a hot bubble bath or having a pedicure. When I feel good about me the world is a much happier place.

Happiness comes from within. And I can say, surrounding myself with like minded people, enjoying my family and spending time with my children keeps my smiles abundant. My motto is : the glass is half full not half empty. I'm going to stop a smell the roses, pick up a good book and sit back and enjoy life.

Just my thoughts anyway