How to Live to 100

This is my final speech toward a Advanced Communicator Gold Toastmasters award.

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I had my 59th birthday last month.  I like being 59 so much that I might stay this age for a while on my way to 100.  Getting to 100 involves luck because tragedy befalls the strong. Getting to 100 also requires overcoming tragic events-- death of parents, death of children, even outlasting pandemics.  There are transitional events we all go through. Betty White at 98 is on her way to 100. Does she still wear sexy underwear? Depends. Perhaps you need a healthy diet and lots of exercise to make it to 100.  For sure, you need the right attitude, which can be summarized with words containing the letter G-- you need to be grateful, engaged and you need at least one goal.

Being Grateful

I think to my great grandmother born in 1884.  I knew her well. She lived until I was an adult.  In her 80s she shucked dozens of bushels of corn each year.  Toward the end, her husband was in the nursing home while she was on the retirement home side of the building.  I remember her being asked about living apart from her husband. "I couldn't take care of him!", she responded.

My daughter might also have the proper attitude.  Mom told Rose how sad she will be when Rose grows up and leaves home.  Rose answered, "I'm here now."

My wife, Monica, worked at an assisted living facility.  A lot of people in their 80s were whiners. Those in their 90s and above were glass half full people.

My grandfather was very fastidious about washing his hands. But then not too many people experience age 100 without a pandemic.  He was 13 for the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. 

Betty White is doing fine in the pandemic.  "I wasn't leaving home that often anyway." 

 I'm doing fine in the pandemic.  Having Rose home while she goes to school is the best of both worlds.  If you are doing fine distancing from others in the pandemic, you might have the grateful mindset needed to live to 100.  Or, else you are an introvert.

How do you feel more grateful?  I imagine life for Otsi, found frozen in the Alps after 5000 years with grass shoes and a copper axe.  Or, if pre-history actually appeals to you, imagine life 100 years from now. With the right framing, almost any current scenario seems pretty pretty good.  Situations much worse than what we put up with are the historical norm.

Being Engaged 

I love reading about Astronomy.  It is amazing how much gets discovered each month.  When Rose was born, New Horizons was flying past Pluto.

I love travel.  My daughter goes to a Korean immersion school.  Wouldn't it be fun to live in a different country for a while?

The senior member of the seniors writers group that I joined in El Cerrito,  CA went bowling every week.

At Twins games, they are always pointing the camera at a centenarian going to their first baseball game.  Following the Twins is being engaged.

I'm amazed by Monica's elderly aunt who knows everything about her relatives young and old.

Betty White plays Scrabble with her friends over Zoom.

To live to be 100, you have to be engaged and in the moment.  Engagement counts as 2 Gs.

Having a Goal 

Did you know that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both made it to the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence? They both died July 4, 1826.  They willed themselves to the milestone.

 Do people die at 99 ½ or do they make it to 100?  People make it to the milestones. Those who make it to 100 will themselves.  Freakonomics studied the data and found this to be true.  

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Let me close with a story about Monica's favorite 104 year old from the assisted living facility.  She had issues with getting to the bathroom and solved them. All she needed was crotchless underwear from Frederick's of Hollywood.  The elderly may indeed have sexy underwear. 

I love being 59 and am looking forward to many more years.  By having a mindset based on the letter G-- being grateful, staying engaged and having the goal, we have the mindset to outlast the pandemic and make it to 100.

P.S., NIH reports that very strong mental health is a trait of the very old. 

Link: https://parade.com/1051505/paulaspencer/centenarian-secrets/