Adding Life to Your Years

My Path of Creative Mastery #17

Adding years to your life is about adding life to your years. Do you want to live to be 100?

Buettner shares empirical data and first hand observations through some lovely stories as to why these populations live healthier and longer lives.

I’m only halfway through the book and I am surprised by the inspiration and delight that has crept up on me.

In North America we seem to have a culture of negative outlook upon aging. We tend to emphasize the biological part aging and there are more and more elders living and aging in isolation.

In villages that are homes to some of the world’s longest lived people such as Okinawa, Japan and Sardinia, Italy, there is a focus on the social and environmental aspects of again. They think about aging in the context of family or community.

It is these communities of world where elders are respected, revered and celebrated. More than that; they are needed. The more older a person is, the more social equity they seem to have.

What delights me within this book, are the interviews with the centenarians themselves. They commonly seem to be cheeky and humorous, with a no-nonsense directness.

This is how I aspire to age.

One teen of an Okinawan village says:

“Grandma doesn’t keep stress. Sometimes she is so straightforward it could sound harsh.”

When asked about her secret to living so long, a 102 year old woman living in Okinawa replied:

“I used to be very beautiful. I had hair that came down to my waist. It took me a long time to realize that beauty is within. It comes from not worrying so much about your own problems. Sometimes you can best take care of yourself by taking care of others.”

“Eat your vegetables, have a positive outlook, be kind to people and smile.”

When asked what he and his circle of elder friends where laughing about, Seiryu Toguchi, another Okinawan villager of 105 years-old said:

“It’s Vitamin S. You smile in the morning and it fortifies you all day long.”

Here are 5 insights I’ve received thus far in regards to adding life to my years.

I don’t have any children, but I plan on having lots of grand-children.

Looks like I’m a good candidate for living to be 100. Not that it is something I desire. I am more interested in adding years to my life by being healthy, active, creative and sharp into my elder years.

As always, I love and appreciate your questions, comments and feedback. Do you want more creativity in your life? I can help.

Send me a line at candybonestheatre@gmail.com.

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