Today’s Brilliance from Elsa Brehm Hoffman

As I age, people ask more and more, “What are your secrets?” People can see I try to take reasonable care of myself, am an eternal optimist, and love being with people daily.

These are some of the all-important basics that are simple things, yet have incredible impact on how well and how long one lives. Since scientists now say that longevity is only about 25% genetics, there are other things at work.

It is imperative to keep your spirits up, especially through difficult times. I have seen many economies, for example, including The Great Depression, and “this too shall pass.” Everyone responds to different things, but perhaps these ideas will help:

Like unwinding a tangled ball of twine, take one step at a time to resolve any challenges or tasks that need to be accomplished. Know that you are not the only one when there are difficulties. Get help if needed. Just do something.

During The Great Depression, my husband and I used our own funds and a government program to help us make apartments in a building we had into smaller more affordable ones. We filled the building and helped others. You’ll feel such relief to just take the first step to get some help and direction.

It may be hard to hear right now, but know with confidence that your difficulties not only make you stronger, but they prepare you for better things you may not be able to envision right now.

For example, my husband Bill and I dreamed of owning and operating a seasonal resort in our favorite place, the Adirondacks. Bill developed terrible bronchitis in the winter, so we had to concentrate on his health first. I made the plans for us to start going from New York to south Florida seasonally; he felt so much better within a few days. Our resort dream moved to south Florida. It was better than we imagined.

Become an adapter. I enjoyed new modern conveniences like television. Refrigerators that did not need ice to keep them cold were a terrific new item to adjust to, also. Nevertheless, adapting also means doing some things you may not find as pleasurable at first.

Harder economic times affect just about everybody. If you are just soaking up all of that and feeling lost, you need to pick yourself up and make a new plan. Downsize your home? Get a job? Simplify your life? I promise you, the changes will comfort you in time. Some say the one good thing about bad economic times is that it puts the focus back on family and less on excesses and always rushing around.

Find happy thoughts. Release negativity. Appreciate. I just think of beautiful memories and that lifts me up. Be kind to others. Forgive someone. Pray. Do all you can to resolve any matter bothering you, then let it alone and move on. You know you can always find something happy to remember, to look forward to, or do right now.