“Old age is just a record of one’s whole life.” – Muhammad Ali
I’ve always set goals, made lists, and followed action steps – all so I could hit my target. The steps help me achieve success, so it’s no wonder I want to use this proven model to achieve my goal of living the rest of my life in the healthiest way possible.
I was born on July 14, 1941. I am 75. That used to sound old – but not anymore. I plan to hit 100, so I still have 25% of my life to live. Having a strong finish in my Q4 will be important.
Just like years ago when I wrote out my Unifying Principles, now, with help from Dan Buettner at Blue Zones, I am sitting down to plan for a strong finish to what has been a great run.
Step One
Move, and do it naturally – not repetitively. I don’t need to pump iron, run marathons or even join a gym, I just need to stay active. Walking, swimming, some time on my bike along with a full list of chores will do it. I want to keep moving without thinking too much about it.
Step Two
Have a good reason to wake up each day. I have a wonderful wife and great family so that is reason enough, plus I now have Louisa Dear McIntyre by my side. She helps me get up and out the door each day.
Step Three
Relax and breathe. It’s the beginning and ending of everything. Take time for a nap. Reflect with gratitude. Enjoy!
Step Four
Eat right and eat only most of it. Make the right choices, they do matter. Also, forget the clean plate club, I don’t need to top off my tank three times each day. 80% done is done.
Step Five
Beans are the real deal. Have you seen this video? Caution, it’s not pretty.
This may already be your choice, if so, congratulations. It isn’t fully mine yet, but I think more about it all the time.
Step Six
Wine is divine, but it’s not mine. They say a little wine each day is good. Maybe, but some of us don’t do little. There are other ways to get the same benefits. Red grapes and grape juice have all of the health-protecting antioxidants and don’t make me act and sound funny, that gets embarrassing for oldsters.
Step Seven
Belong somewhere – to something. Get plugged in. A faith-based group is best, but anywhere I can belong and attend regularly keeps me in community.
Step Eight
Family is First. Close ties between generations, a commitment to a life partner, even family reunions are all part of this next to last step.
Step Nine
Keep the right friends and step away from those who aren’t. The more my friends can join me in my first eight steps the better chance I have of a good Q4. If they aren’t part of the plan, maybe they should get off my bus.
There you have my nine steps. Many are similar to what I wrote in my Unifying Principles. The final step in my original list was, “Have fun and smile easily, be honest with myself.” That will be the repeating mantra to each of my new nine steps.
Will I make it to 100? Who knows, but I will have a better chance, plus more fun along the way, with the help from my friends at Blue Zones.
Do you have a list like mine? What do you think? Have I left out something or can you tell me what step I don’t need?
Tell us about people you know who have lived long lives. How did they do it?
As always, the conversation starts here.
“In the ordinary choices of every day we begin to change the direction of our lives.” – Eknath Easwaran
Epilogue
Get acquainted with Blue Zones, they have cities springing up everywhere. Do you think Charlotte should be a Blue Zone city?
Bruce, Given that “the conversation starts here”, I would start by disputing the philosophy behind the initial goal of “planning to get to 100″. One could easily fall into the trap of moving one’s daily action exclusively around such goal. How about starting with a different goal for life, sometthing like ” living each day of one’s life, under clearly determined principles, as if I was the last day of one’s life, and with the clear objective of ‘leaving something behind’ (to one’s family or community or society)”. Then, no matter how long one is on this earth, one’s journey… Read more »
Enrique –
Thanks for joining the conversation. You are correct. The goal is a balanced and full life, not a life of 100 empty year. I would not want that for anyone. Each of these are choices. My vegetarian friends would not join you in prime rib, I respect their choice. As you know, I will pass on the Malbec, and I know you respect my decision. I will join you for ice cream anytime, but my vegan friends will pass.
If we agree on seven of the nine, that is good.
Namaste.
– Bruce
Hi Bruce,
Love your 9 steps. I have a little suggestion for your steps 4 and 5:
4. Stay in the empty plate club. Just take 20% off your plate before you eat them. Remember, there are still people suffer from hunger in this world.
5. Don’t go extreme with no beef and all bean. A balanced diet is better.
Rose – Thank you for those observations. You are correct. When we plate food at home we are careful to not overload. I wish restaurants were as mindful, often their portions are enough for two or more. Maybe I am in the clean plate club at home and the 80% done is done club when dining out. For Step Five, I am not vegetarian, but I am viewing animal protein more as a condiment than I once did. I view all dietary decisions as personal and/or religious choices, as long as they are mindful. As I said to the reader… Read more »
Happy Birthday Bruce! I am so happy to have met you through MPPC, running. That we got to know each other better the past few years.. Add your advice, those words of wisdom! That is why we need family and and community elders. Great post. We saw Dan speak about 3 years ago here in Charlotte at a Northwestern meeting. We chatted with him. I am a big fan. He even went to an F3 workout with Edwin the next day (after drinking his red wine!) to see the community/workout. I wrote on my blog about his talk. On food.… Read more »
Amy – Thanks for the birthday wishes. “To 100” for you and yours also.
How exciting that you know Dan Buettner of Blue Zones, I can think of no better way to bring everyone in Charlotte together than by modeling our entire community around his steps. And, I can think of no better family to make it happen than yours.
What say you? Let’s do it!
– Bruce
The photo of you is great—and with your yoga mat! I really appreciate this week’s Choices–loved the black bean video. I haven’t eaten meat in over 35 years–occasionally eat wild Alaska salmon but will never go back to eating meat–for my health and for the environment (good info in the video). I am confident my diet is well-balanced. I am not vegan but limit eggs, dairy, etc. and limit sugar.
Mary Lou –
I am glad you like the photo. I was headed to a yoga class of yours the day it was taken.
Congratulations on 35 years as a vegetarian. Yes, our health and the environment would both do better if we all made better choices.
What I know for sure is that you can out hike me by miles any day and that if anyone can fly by 100 it’s you.
Thanks for all you do for the wellness of our community and for being my friend.
– Bruce
Well said, Bruce, these all make sense. Where I live, my mother-in-law has a 94-year-old friend who is the oldest National Park Ranger in the country, at the Rosie the Riveter Museum. She indeed has a life fulfilled.
Theresa –
How great to be the oldest National Park Ranger in the country, especially at this time as the agency celebrates 100 years on August 16. It would be exciting to visit with your mother-in-law’s friend and talk about her ideas on aging. I bet staying active is at the top of her list.
Thanks, Theresa, for your comment and for being part of the Choices Do Matter family.
– Bruce
So good! Happy Birthday Bruce!!!
Caroline –
Thank you for the birthday greeting. I am glad you like the 9 steps. Are yours similar? What would you add, or leave off?
Your friend,
– Bruce