Rock-Stars-of-Aging-by-Marc-Middleton
Rock-Stars-of-Aging-by-Marc-Middleton
Rock-Stars-of-Aging-by-Marc-Middleton
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<strong>Rock</strong>s <strong>Stars</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Aging</strong><br />
19<br />
STATE OF MIND<br />
5: Centenarians Live in the Present<br />
“I don’t dream; I believe in reality. I live one day at a time. I find that’s<br />
the best way. Worrying one day is enough.” -- Onie Ponder, Florida’s<br />
longest living person (September 3, 1898 – December 31, 2010)<br />
Nearly every important philosopher in history has underscored the<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> being in the moment; expanding the now. Centenarians<br />
are pretty good at it; they are all about the here and now.<br />
Living in the moment increases enjoyment. Centenarians don’t live in<br />
the past, which eliminates regret, and they don’t worry about the<br />
future, which reduces stress.<br />
When Wilhelmina Hoorn turned 107, we asked if she worried about<br />
the future. “What is there to worry about? You can’t change the<br />
future, honey,” she answered.<br />
Once you reach old age, it seems that as soon as you believe your<br />
life is behind you, it is. Memories are great comfort for the elderly but<br />
making new memories is an important key to longevity.<br />
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters<br />
compared to what lies within us” -- Ralph Waldo Emerson, author<br />
and lecturer (May 25, 1803 – April 27, 1882)<br />
<strong>Rock</strong> <strong>Stars</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Aging</strong><br />
19
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