Published: May 09, 2008 07:35 pm            

Don Newberry: Make your own sunshine

This column is as much a restatement of the obvious as are the findings of a couple of exhaustive studies released in April’s American Sociological Review.

Researchers’ surveys of 28,000 Americans (ages 18-88 over a 32 year period) suggest that in general, older people are happier than the young ‘uns.

I would have been surprised only if the findings had been reversed.

Think about it: We commonly read “jolly old” adjectives in front of senior adults’ names. I don’t remember ever noting a “jolly young” reference.

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Overall, a third of Americans said they were “very happy” at age 88. Only 24 percent of respondents in their 20s marked the “very happy” block.

In general, the odds of being happy increase by 5 percent for every decade lived.

I can believe that, can’t you? I’ve got several friends a decade or so further down life’s road than I’ve trod, and they’re happier than clams at high tide. (Notice that this is the complete bromide. Often, it is shortened to “happier than clams.” Low-tide clams, I contend, can be world-class grouches.)

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Sometimes we joke about present buying for people who already “have everything.”

Probably no individual has it all, but mega-billionaire Warren Buffett may come close. He had a happy heart even during his college years. That’s when he earned extra money writing those clever rhymes that appeared on Burma-Shave signs nailed on roadside fence posts across the land.

A half-century later he remains highly quotable, and his happy heartbeat continues.

Upon learning that airlines have lost a total of $27 billion so far this century, Buffett made this observation: “If there had been a farsighted capitalist watching at Kitty Hawk, he would have shot the Wright brothers’ plane down.”

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The Apostle Paul provided an important ingredient in the recipe for happiness. He made the conscious decision to be happy wherever he happened to be and despite what circumstances prevailed.

That’s an important decision to work toward, and it can take a few decades for the concrete in this resolve to dry.

I’m inspired by brethren who “press on,” intent on giving back to fellow human beings, despite advancing odometers. You’ve probably got a strong list of givers, too — folks who’ve learned to “make their own sunshine” as they strive to light the way for others.

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One such friend is Everett J. “Ebb” Grindstaff of Ballinger. He’s been a church, school, community and civic leader there for more than half a century. A few months ago, he re-upped to serve as city attorney for the 51st consecutive year.

Ebb’s what I call “eaten up” with Lionism. That is, he’s relentless in his zeal to serve the world’s largest service organization. And he keeps on keeping on.

He’s held virtually all offices, including the presidency of Lions International in 1982. During his presidency, programs for drug education, diabetes awareness and “journey for sight” were introduced to more than a million Lion members in a couple of hundred countries.

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I’ve never seen Ebb without a smile splashed across his face like bubblegum in a blow-out.

Note this: 28 years have passed since he served as boss lion for Lions International. He keeps plugging away on club projects like a scout aiming for a merit badge.

His walls are covered with expressions of appreciation from folks in many walks of life. There are plaques, certificates, trophies and more “whereases” on “thank you” documents than can be counted. If he gets more — and he will — he and Jay, his wife of 54 years, will have to put up another wall.

I doubt that the word “emeritus” will ever follow his name. (Speaking of names, Grindstaff children Jeff and Michelle remember Ebb’s oft-repeated instructions during their growing up years: “Remember, you’ve just got one name, so take care of it.”)

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Serving others makes him happy. He’s an encourager.

Someone said that Hollywood is the only place in the world where one can die of encouragement.

I’m glad that folks like Ebb are willing to risk being encouragers anyway.

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At a district Lions’ convention in Belton recently, Ebb was there in the middle of things, cheered on by his wife and fellow Lions from a couple dozen counties.

Some of them were talking about the “happiness findings,” specifically about the 5 percent gain in cheer for every decade. “With a smile nearly as wide as his gait, Ebb’s as happy as anyone I know,” someone said. “On the happiness meter, I’d say he’s several notches north of euphoria.”

That’s the way it is with people who decide to be happy, preferring to wear out rather than rust out. They “make their own sunshine,” then give it away.



Dr. Newbury is a speaker and writer in the Metroplex.

He welcomes inquiries

and comments.

Send email to:

newbury@speakerdoc.com. Phone: 817-447-3872. His website: www.speakerdoc.com.

        

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