Zest for Life

Posted on July 12th, 2011, by iMinerva

The Today Show – today – began a new series on “How to Live to Be 100″ and featured an interview with Bel Kaufman, author of  Up The Down Staircase. Ms Kaufman, who celebrated her 100th birthday this May, truly personifies the “inner glow” that true Minervas possess.

Her words of wisdom for a long life:

• I’m too busy to grow old.
• You have to live, even if it kills you.
• If you wake up in the morning and something doesn’t hurt, you know you’re dead.

 

For Ms. Kaufman, two important keys to longevity are curiosity and love.  “I can’t imagine not loving someone.”

While science claims only 30 percent of aging is genetic, The Longevity Project, an 80-year study of more than 1500 people found the secret to a long life is not just attitude, but a zest for life, being mentally engaged.  Based on their extended study, the secrets to longevity include:

• Setting goals and working to achieve them
• Strong and stable personal relationships and social connections
• Helping others
• Worry in moderation – thinking ahead and planning
• Working hard at one’s job

 

Watch for a new film to be introduced at Sundance later this year from Mark Wexler, director of “How to Live Forever.”  Wexler studied aging populations in cultures around the world compiling interviews for personal perspectives on the secret to a happy, long life. 

Take a few minutes to feed your inner glow with sage advice from Bel Kaufman.  

 http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/43724128#43724128Live to be 100