Every situation in life has an upside and a downside; getting older is no exception. Even if we can only see the thin silver lining of a difficult situation, it is worth identifying and focusing on. With age, we come to understand that life is complex, and bad situations can include gifts and even transform into blessings.

Those of us in the 50+ crowd are well aware of the downsides of aging: less energy, wrinkles, aches and pains, expanding waistlines… but what about the upsides?

Below is a handful of blessings that come with age and experience.

Discernment — With experience comes wisdom through the ability of discernment. Over a lifetime of trials and errors, successes and failures, we have settled on our priorities and we know better what to focus on, what battles to choose and what to let go of. Discernment is knowing what is important in life, and this brings clarity. Clarity guides us in how best to spend our limited time and energy.

Self-awareness — With age comes knowing ourselves. Having more years on this earth means learning what works and doesn’t work for us; what our requirements and needs are in relationships and in life. Healthy boundaries, self-compassion and communication skills can flow from self-awareness, especially if we invest time in self-reflection and living consciously.

Gratitude — With discernment and self-awareness come appreciation for what we value most in life, including simple joys and small wonders, like spending time with loved ones; listening to birdsong; or engrossing ourselves in a spectacular Arizona sunset. Shifting into an attitude of gratitude is always available.

What we focus on expands, so if we actively look for what is going well and what we are thankful for, we will not only increase our mood and outlook, but we will also crowd out the negative chatter. So be on the lookout for more silver linings — turn it into a daily practice!