My Reflections on Today's Headlines- March 21, 2026

Reflections on Today’s Headlines — March 21, 2026

At ninety-one, I find myself reading the daily news a little differently than I once did. In my earlier years, the headlines were something to analyze, debate, and sometimes even worry about. Today, they feel more like windows, small openings into a vast, ever-changing world that I am still very much a part of, even from the comfort of my senior community.

This morning’s stories carried a curious mix of science, sport, and global connection.

I was particularly drawn to the reports of the Northern Lights appearing farther south than usual. There is something quietly humbling about that. Long before satellites, forecasts, or scientific explanations, people simply looked up in wonder. Even now, with all our knowledge, the sky still reminds us that we are not in control of everything. At my age, I have come to appreciate those moments of awe more deeply. They are gentle reminders that beauty does not retire.

Closely tied to that is the geomagnetic storm watch, something that, in my professional years, I might have followed with a more technical curiosity. Having spent much of my career at the FDA, I was always interested in how science and systems intersect with daily life. Today, I read such news with a quieter appreciation. The same forces that can disrupt our technologies can also paint the sky with light. There is a lesson in that balance.

Then there is the world of sport. The Belgian Darts Open and the global athletics championships are underway, drawing competitors from across the world. I admit, darts was never my game, but competition itself is something I understand well. In every stage of life, we are striving for something, recognition in youth, stability in midlife, and perhaps meaning and connection in later years. Watching young athletes perform at their peak reminds me not of what I have lost, but of what I have experienced.

And of course, there is the digital world, millions of people logging in to participate in a Fortnite event. It is a different kind of gathering than what I grew up with, but a gathering nonetheless. In my own way, I, too, participate in a global community through my daily blogs. While others connect through games, I connect through words. The tools may differ, but the human need to reach one another remains unchanged.

As I reflect on these stories, I realize that the headlines themselves matter less than what they represent: curiosity, competition, connection, and wonder. These are not bound by age. They evolve, certainly, but they never disappear.

My world today is smaller in some ways. I no longer travel far, and my daily routines are simpler. But through these headlines and through my writing, I remain connected to a much larger story.

And perhaps that is the quiet gift of aging: not stepping away from the world, but learning how to stay connected to it in new and meaningful ways.

Meanwhile, here are other five major stories dominating the news today, March 21, 2026. ( From Perflexity AI)  

1. Escalating US–Israel–Iran conflict

• Joint US–Israeli strikes have reportedly hit Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, sharply raising fears of direct war.​

• Iran has vowed severe retaliation, threatened attacks on enemies in public and tourist locations worldwide, and put its forces on high alert.​

2. Global oil shock and economic fallout

• Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf and broader Middle East have driven global oil prices sharply higher.​​

• Governments are warning of higher fuel costs and broader inflation pressure as energy supplies are disrupted.​​

3. Intensifying political stakes in the US

• With control of a narrowly divided House at risk, key races like Rep. Tom Kean Jr.’s New Jersey seat are drawing national attention.​

• Today’s political coverage also centers on White House responses to the Iran crisis, congressional investigations, and the 2026 midterm landscape.

4. Extreme weather and climate-related crises

• Parts of the US are being hit by an unprecedented, dangerous heat wave, tying or breaking March temperature records in some regions.​

• Other areas, including Hawaii’s Oahu, are coping with flash flooding and severe storms at the same time.​​

5. Health and society: care and mistrust

• US pediatric and neonatal providers report rising refusal of not only vaccines but other routine preventive care for newborns, tied to broader medical mistrust.​

• Public health experts warn this trend could reverse decades of progress on infant health and disease prevention

  My Photo of the Day: 

  
  
  

How My Idea of Happiness Has Changed Over Time

How My Idea of Happiness Has Changed Over Time

One of the lessons that comes with living a long life is discovering that happiness is not a fixed idea. It changes as we change. What satisfied us in one stage of life often gives way to something entirely different in another. Looking back over my ninety-one years, I can see clearly how my own definition of happiness has evolved.

When I was younger, and especially during the height of my professional career, happiness was closely tied to accomplishment. Like many people who devote themselves to their work, I wanted to know that what I was doing mattered. Recognition from my superiors, appreciation for a job well done, and the feeling that my work contributed to something meaningful brought me real satisfaction.

Interestingly, it was never about money for me. Of course, a stable income was important for supporting a family and building a life. But the deeper happiness came from achievement and from knowing that others respected the work I was doing. Professional pride can be a powerful source of motivation.

At the same time, family relationships were always central to my happiness. Career achievements are rewarding, but they are rarely the moments we remember most fondly. The time spent with family, the conversations, the shared experiences, those are the memories that stay with us.

Now, at ninety-one, my idea of happiness is much simpler, and perhaps much clearer.

These days I find happiness in playing bridge four times a week. There is something wonderfully satisfying about sitting around a table with friends, exercising the mind, sharing a few laughs, and enjoying the social connection that comes with the game.

Another important part of my life is writing my daily blog. What began years ago as a simple exercise has become a meaningful way to reflect on life and share thoughts with readers all over the world. Writing keeps my mind active, and it gives me a sense that my experiences, collected over many decades, might still be useful or interesting to others.

And then there are my children, my grandchildren and my two great grand children.

A weekly visit or phone call/message from my adult children brings me a kind of happiness that is hard to describe but easy to recognize. It is the quiet satisfaction of knowing that the relationships built over a lifetime are still strong. In many ways, those calls mean more to me now than many of the professional achievements that once seemed so important.

If there is a lesson in all of this, it may be that happiness becomes less complicated as we grow older. The grand ambitions of youth gradually give way to an appreciation for smaller, more personal moments.

A good game of bridge. A thoughtful blog post. A phone call from a son or daughter or a message from one of my grand children. A positive response from my blog readers. A good weekly massage. And winning in bridge or mahjong no matter how small the amount.  

At ninety-one, I have come to realize that happiness is not one single destination. It is a series of changing landscapes we travel through during our lives. And if we are fortunate, we eventually arrive at a place where the simplest things bring the greatest joy.

For me, that place is now.

Meanwhile, here's the AI Overview on the Above Topic:

As we grow and evolve, our definition of happiness often shifts from external achievements to internal peace. While the specifics are unique to everyone, most people experience a similar "happiness curve" as they move through different stages of life.

Here is a look at how the idea of happiness typically transforms over time:

1. The Achievement Phase (Early Adulthood)

In our 20s and early 30s, happiness is often synonymous with attainment. We tend to view it as a destination or a trophy to be won.

• The Focus: Career milestones, finding a partner, buying a home, or social status.
• The Trap: This stage is often defined by "If-Then" thinking: "If I get that promotion, then I’ll be happy." This leads to a "hedonic treadmill" where the joy of reaching a goal quickly fades, replaced by the next requirement.

2. The Complexity Phase (The "Messy Middle")

As responsibilities grow, raising children, caring for aging parents, or managing high-pressure roles, the "big" moments of happiness become rarer.

• The Shift: Happiness begins to be redefined as relief or stability. It’s the feeling of a quiet house after the kids are asleep, or a weekend without work emails.
• The Realization: We start to realize that happiness isn't a permanent state of euphoria, but rather the ability to manage stress while finding small pockets of joy.

3. The Perspective Phase (Mature Adulthood)

Later in life, research often shows a "U-bend" in happiness. Once the frantic pace of building a life slows down, happiness becomes less about what we have and more about how we are.

• The Focus: Health, deep connection with a few close friends/family, and "simple" pleasures (a good meal, a walk, a hobby).
• The Shift: There is a move from High-Arousal Joy (excitement, thrill) to Low-Arousal Joy (contentment, serenity, peace).

Key Transitions in the "Idea" of Happiness:

From...	To...
Quantity (How many friends/accolades?)	Quality (How deep is the connection?)
Comparison (Am I doing better than them?)	Authenticity (Am I being true to myself?)
Intensity (Big, explosive moments)	Consistency (Small, daily rituals)
External Validation (What do they think?)	Internal Validation (How do I feel?)

Why This Shift Happens

• Brain Chemistry: As we age, our brains become less reactive to negative stimuli and more focused on positive emotional regulation.
• Acceptance: We eventually stop fighting the "unhappiness" parts of life. We learn that happiness isn't the absence of sadness, but the capacity to hold both at once.
• Time Horizon: When we are young, we view time as infinite and focus on "preparing." As we age, we view time as finite and focus on "experiencing."

Reflection: If you look back five years, what did you think you needed to be happy then versus what brings you peace today? You’ll likely find that while your "wants" have grown smaller, your "contentment" has grown deeper.

My Video of the Day: The Secret of A Happy Life- Meaningful Relationship

https://youtu.be/8KkKuTCFvzI

The overarching secret to a happy and long life is 

cultivating warm, meaningful relationships, which act as crucial regulators for stress and mental health. Research shows that prioritizing social connections over wealth or fame, maintaining good physical health through self-care, practicing gratitude, and living in the present moment are key drivers of lasting happiness