HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE YOU MAKE: LESSONS FROM A YEAR AMONG THE OLDEST OLD by John Leland Books.kim - free summaries of bestselling books. Download PDF and MP3 versions of the summary from www.books.kim The latest effective learning methodology has been utilized to construct the summary, ensuring that you can easily retain the key takeaways. The technique involves a great deal of repetition and rephrasing, which have been proven to be highly effective when it comes to information retention. In fact, this is the same approach employed in memorizing poems. Our objective is to not only help you comprehend the most significant concepts, but also enable you to recall and apply them in your daily life. Summary: Happiness Is a Choice You Make: Lessons from a Year Among the Oldest Old by John Leland is an exploration of aging and how to make the most out of life. The book follows journalist John Leland as he spends time with six New Yorkers aged 85-95, learning about their lives and what makes them happy. Through his conversations with these individuals, Leland discovers that happiness is not something that can be found in material possessions or external circumstances; rather, it comes from within. He finds that those who are happiest have developed habits such as gratitude, resilience, and connection to others. The book begins by introducing us to each of the six people featured in the story—Lillian Rubin, Mary Cerrone, Joe Novello, Ruth Willig, Muriel Gillick and Alice Herz Sommer—and exploring their backgrounds. We learn about their childhoods and families before they moved into Manhattan's Upper West Side neighborhood where they now live. Each person has had different experiences throughout their lives but all share one thing in common: a commitment to living life fully despite age. Throughout his year spent with these individuals, Leland learns many lessons on how to find joy even when faced with difficult times. He discovers that having meaningful relationships is essential for happiness; being able to connect deeply with others helps us feel supported during hard times and gives our lives purpose. Additionally he finds that cultivating gratitude can help us appreciate what we have instead of focusing on what we don't have; this allows us to focus on positive aspects of our lives rather than dwelling on negative ones. Finally he realizes that resilience plays an important role in finding contentment; no matter how challenging life may be at any given moment it is possible to bounce back if we remain open minded and flexible enough to adapt when needed. By embracing these three habits—relationships, gratitude and resilience—we can create more fulfilling lives for ourselves regardless of age or circumstance. Main ideas: Main idea #1. Social Connections are Essential for Happiness: Social connections are essential for happiness, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to loneliness and isolation. Leland found that those who had strong social connections were more likely to be content and fulfilled. Main idea #2. Meaningful Activity is Important: Meaningful activity is important for the elderly, as it gives them a sense of purpose and keeps them engaged in life. Leland found that those who had meaningful activities to do were more likely to be happy and fulfilled. Main idea #3. Gratitude is Key: Gratitude is key to happiness, and the elderly are particularly prone to feeling grateful for the small things in life. Leland found that those who expressed gratitude were more likely to be content and fulfilled. Main idea #4. Embrace Change: Change is inevitable, and the elderly must learn to embrace it in order to remain happy. Leland found that those who were able to accept change were more likely to be content and fulfilled. Main idea #5. Find Joy in the Little Things: The elderly must learn to find joy in the little things in life, as this can help them remain content and fulfilled. Leland found that those who were able to appreciate the small moments in life were more likely to be happy. Main idea #6. Don’t Dwell on the Past: Dwelling on the past can be detrimental to happiness, and the elderly must learn to let go of the past in order to remain content and fulfilled. Leland found that those who were able to move on from the past were more likely to be happy. Main idea #7. Cultivate Optimism: Optimism is essential for happiness, and the elderly must learn to cultivate it in order to remain content and fulfilled. Leland found that those who had an optimistic outlook were more likely to be happy. Main idea #8. Practice Self-Care: Self-care is important for the elderly, as it helps them stay healthy and remain content and fulfilled. Leland found that those who practiced self-care were more likely to be happy. Main idea #9. Find a Sense of Purpose: Having a sense of purpose is essential for the elderly, as it gives them a reason to get up in the morning and remain content and fulfilled. Leland found that those who had a sense of purpose were more likely to be happy. Main idea #10. Live in the Moment: Living in the moment is important for the elderly, as it helps them appreciate the present and remain content and fulfilled. Leland found that those who were able to live in the moment were more likely to be happy. Main ideas expanded: Main idea #1. Social connections are essential for happiness, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to loneliness and isolation. In his book Happiness Is a Choice You Make: Lessons from a Year Among the Oldest Old, John Leland found that those who had strong social connections were more likely to be content and fulfilled. He interviewed dozens of people over the age of 85 in New York City, many of whom lived alone or with limited family support. Despite their circumstances, he found that those who maintained meaningful relationships with friends and family were much happier than those without such connections. Lelands research showed that having someone to talk to was key for these seniors emotional wellbeing. Those who had regular conversations with others reported feeling less lonely and isolated than those without any close companionship. Additionally, they felt more connected to their community as well as supported by it—a sense of belonging which is often lacking in older adults living on their own. The importance of social connection cannot be understated when it comes to overall happiness among the elderly population. It is vital for them not only to have someone they can rely on but also someone they can share experiences with—someone who will listen and understand them no matter what life throws at them. Main idea #2. Meaningful activity is an important part of life for the elderly. It gives them a sense of purpose and keeps them engaged in life. According to John Lelands book Happiness Is a Choice You Make: Lessons from a Year Among the Oldest Old, those who had meaningful activities to do were more likely to be happy and fulfilled. Meaningful activities can range from hobbies such as gardening or painting, to volunteering at local charities or taking classes at community centers. Engaging in meaningful activities helps keep seniors active both mentally and physically. It also provides social interaction with other people which can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation that many older adults experience. Additionally, it allows seniors to stay connected with their communities by participating in events or programs that are available locally. Having meaningful activities is essential for maintaining physical health as well as mental wellbeing among the elderly population. Not only does it provide an outlet for creativity but it also encourages healthy habits such as exercise, proper nutrition, and stress management techniques. Overall, engaging in meaningful activity is important for the elderly because it gives them something positive to focus on while providing numerous benefits including improved physical health, mental wellbeing, social connections, and overall happiness.