“I look forward to being older when what you look like becomes less and less an issue and what you are is the point” – Susan Saradon
At a lunch party I attended last week one of the guests was eighty-nine years old. The fascinating part of the story is she was the life of the party. Both extremely witty and sharp, the conversation was not a reflection on the past (although her stories were part of it) but a focus on the present and the future. Occasionally I meet people who are fully present and in the moment continuously, and this gracefully and funny guest was all of that an more.
It made me wonder, even hope, I would be that spry and alive at eighty-nine. It’s only a small thing but her car’s license plates were personalized, I can only hope to still be driving at eighty-nine. For me this was a fabulous example of someone living life to it’s fullest.
Love of Live?
My Aunt Betty lived over ninety years and demonstrated a strong thirst and love for live the whole time. During lunch I had a kind of an epiphany (not literally). It seemed obvious to me one of the keys to longevity was an appreciation of all the great opportunities life offers. Basically having strong motivation to live each day to it’s fullest can contribute to both health and presence of mind.
Retire and Die
Over the years I have read numerous long term studies on the effects of retirements. There is a wealth of statistical documentation that those that retire from a life time of daily work with no plans or replacement personal goals and objectives die shortly after retiring (1 to 5 years).
Is there a magic formula?
Having a reason to live, a thirst for enjoyment (from reading a book to parachuting from a plane, whatever turns your crank) are the keys. You body might betray you from a physical perspective but remember your life is about who you are, not how far you can run, your complexion or the size of your breasts.
Unfortunately the bad news for those that read my posts is I plan to live a long time and these strange musings will keep on coming.