Betty White got me thinking about this. She is 96 and will be 97 in January. (Update: She passed away at age 99 (January 17, 1922 – December 31, 2021)). She’s funny, active, positive and has lived an interesting life. I love her attitude and how she’s always willing to rise to any challenge and make the best of any situation.
There are more than 2 types of people in the world. But for contrast’s sake, here’s two types you may recognize.
- The type that can be given a beautiful castle and turn it into an outhouse.
- The type that can be given an outhouse and turn it into a beautiful castle.
Type 2’s get things done, fix things up, and make things better. They figure out ways to do things. They use their brains and their heart and their guts and their resources (no matter how limited) and make things the best they can. They have a positive and realistic attitude and just keep going. They are grateful for any help along the way.
Type 1’s spend their time blaming, complaining, and ruining things. They expect others to rescue them from every bad situation they get themselves into. They will trash everything you give them and treat everything you do for them as if it’s not good enough. The love you give them will be treated like dirt.
Guess which type tends to live longer? How many interviews of 100-year-old people have you observed? I’ve seen several and as of yet, I haven’t seen any 100-year olds acting like a Type 1, they aren’t complaining and miserable. The 100-year olds I’ve seen have been Type 2 characters – spry, active, blessed, witty, funny, grateful, loving, and just plain awesome.
I went to the internet, looking for crabby centenarians. I didn’t find any. Instead, I found a lot of cool stories. Some young people don’t think they want to live 100 years but here’s the biggest secret the oldest living people have shared – it’s worth the effort. “Like climbing a mountain, we should aspire to reach that height, not just because it is there, but because the view from the top is unsurpassed.”
I believe true love can certainly help you live longer, and several life stories prove me right.
John and Charlotte Henderson, 104 and 102, often field questions from wannabes eager to learn their secrets. “Living in moderation,” he said. “We never overdo anything. Eat well. Sleep well. Don’t overdrink. Don’t overeat. And exercise regularly.” Charlotte Henderson said she believes being married may have helped them reach these 100-plus years. “We had such a good time when John retired. We traveled a lot,” she said. “We just stay busy all the time, and I’m sure that helps.”
Bernard Hirsh, 100, of Dallas agrees. His wife, Bee, is 102. They married in 1978 when both were in their early 60s and each had been widowed, she for the second time. “I think it’s been such a wonderful marriage, and we’ve contributed to each other’s benefit,” he said.
Margaret Dunning, 102, is a self-made businesswoman and philanthropist who learned to drive on her father’s Model T at age 8 and has collected and restored classic cars since the 1940s. She is competing in 11 antique car events around the country this summer. “It’s been a good ride and I am enjoying the opportunities provided by these later years,” says Dunning, who kicked off the circuit in her 1930 Packard roadster at the Concours d’Elegance in Amelia Island, Fla. “I love the awards and the attention the car gets. It’s my ‘Beauty.'”
The majority of active centenarians say they do not feel their chronological age; on average, they report feeling 20 years younger. “I don’t think old and I don’t feel old,” says Astrid Thoenig, 103, still at work as the office manager in her family’s New Jersey insurance agency.
“The trick is not to act your age,” says Marvin Kneudson, 101, who played a central role in developing the community college system across the Midwest. “I use a smartphone and I keep in touch with my grandsons on Skype.”
Top 7 Tips:
- A Positive Attitude – Trudi Fletcher of Tubac, Ariz., a lifelong artist, remains an innovative painter at 100 and recently had a gallery exhibition showing off her new style. She credits her creative longevity to “attitude, attitude, attitude.” Almost all of the centenarians we spoke to believe a positive, yet realistic attitude is critical throughout one’s life and described themselves as optimistic people.
- Diet – Here’s diet advice you may not have heard before: Eat like it’s 1960. Our centenarians were critical of today’s supersized portions; the majority advised just eating nutritious food in moderation. Only 20 percent said they had ever been on a specialized diet plan, although some had become vegetarians.
- Exercise – “Move it or lose it,” says Louise Caulder, 101. “I don’t leave my bedroom before doing 30 minutes of stretches. Later, I walk a mile. Three times a week I play bridge. You’ve got to exercise your mind as well as your body — everyone knows that, but I wonder how many are actually doing it.”
- Faith – It came as no surprise to us that almost all centenarians we spoke to said that their faith has sustained them. Most believe they will be here as long as God has a purpose for them. “Perhaps we are here to be an example to others in hard times,” says Roberta McRaney, 101.
- Clean Living – Harry Adler, 101, says it’s this simple: “Just stay out of trouble.” Everyone’s interpretation of that advice may vary, but many centenarians told us it means doing what you know is right and following your conscience.
- A Loving Family – Family was universally important to centenarians. They enjoy their roles as matriarchs or patriarchs and many spoke of the pleasure of watching younger generations grow and flourish.
- Genetics – “I picked the right parents and genes!” says Andy Weinandy, 100. But there’s no reason to be discouraged: A large percentage of centenarians we surveyed said their parents and grandparents were not especially long-lived.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2013/08/20/7-life-secrets-of-centenarians/#1f48844d1af5
Anna Gravina, 96, says it is important to “always do something, never get bored,” in order to stay healthy.
Maria Del Prete, 87, puts her long life down to the fact she eats good, natural food and never stands still.
Farmer Luigi Ruocco, 98, says the secret to long life is to keep working — and drink half a liter of red wine a day.
Giuseppe Vassallo, 94, says living in a beautiful place and keeping a vegetable garden are the secrets to a long life.
Cleonice Pascale says keeping busy with work, not eating too much, and never drinking alcohol have helped her live to 87.
Antonio and Amina say eating fresh food, including their own rabbits and chickens, has kept them healthy. Antonio, 100, wasn’t interested in talking about diet, though. The secret of his longevity, he insisted, was “this beautiful woman, the woman of my life.” Amina, 93, smiled shyly. Spry and good-humored, she still writes poetry, and recites it easily from memory. Her favorite is a poem she dedicated to Antonio.
https://www.cnn.com/2016/09/21/health/how-to-live-to-100-acciaroli-centenarians/index.html
Of All The Things I've Ever Dreamed 