This excerpt taken from Dan Buettner's well-known book, "The Blue Zones," really struck a chord with me. Buettner describes our fascination with the mythical "Fountain of Youth" and discovering the long lost secrets to living forever, happily. While no such magical source has ever been found, this book might have some of the most valued secrets to date.
According to the text, only 25 percent of how long we live is determined by our genetics. We are not doomed to a shorter life because our grandparents died at a younger age. In contrast, we also cannot simply expect to live to be 100 just because someone somewhere in our family tree did at one time. It takes practice and requires a listening ear to those who understand how to live long and happy lives.
This book explores Buettner's quest to better understand the world's "blue zones," areas where the population of 90-100 year old people is unusually high and provides a way to scientifically study cultural patterns, habits and viewpoints and how it relates to living longer.
I've been curious about this book for quite some time. The Cedar Falls and Waterloo communities have been working toward becoming certified "Blue Zones" areas through pledges and Actions. In order to become certified, a community must 20 percent of its citizens sign up with project and complete one Action. Twenty-five percent of schools and 25 percent of locally-owned restaurants and businesses must also become certified. Actions include such things as, "I will buy a bike and helmet to use," or "I will stock my kitchen with smaller plates to avoid overeating." Today, approximately 2,200 Cedar Falls citizens have pledged and completed an action in the ongoing project.
Having become aware of the project in my own community and hearing about it on national news, I needed to read the book. Before I began reading, I surfed through the website and completed the Vitality Compass portion. This tool is the most accurate life estimator and bases your life expectancy on eating habits, exercise decisions and outlook on life, etc. My results showed by maintaining this lifestyle, I can expect to live to approximately 91.6 years old, 75 of them without major disease. My biological age (the age my body is based on my lifestyle choices) was 20.2 years. I was pretty pleased with this considering my actual age is 22.4 years! But I noticed I have areas where I struggle, particularly concerning the areas of life outlook and how fast I push my life's "gas pedal."
I have barely delved in and already notice ways I can improve my own quality of life. It's easy for me personally to eat right and exercise. I have always enjoyed vegetables and have constantly exercised. As a track athlete for the University of Northern Iowa, I have an advantage when it comes to daily exercise as it is scheduled into my day. Upon graduation, the available time and enjoyment of exercise in my life may change, an area I may need to be concerned about in the future. But my personality and lifestyle has always revolved on doing the "right stuff"-eating right, exercising and sleeping well. What about belonging, outlook and pushing too hard, too fast?
I may be missing out on months or even years of my life due to some of my choices. I'm not a casual or relaxed person. I have Type A personality beyond what even seems possible sometimes. I push and push and push and eventually crash, sometimes crying due to stress and feeling overwhelmed. My perfectionist attitude has led me to great successes but often I find myself unable to shut down my over thinking, my self-abusing attitude and thoughts that, "If I quit now, I'll never be the best. I'll never be first. I'll never just get...done." But I'm realizing now that always pushing to the "destination" and how to get "there" is just sometimes the complete wrong approach. I've always been so focused on getting ahead that by the time I should be ahead, I'm focusing on what's next, never really enjoying a break.
The American culture, in my opinion, is fixated on pushing so hard and so fast and worrying about our lives later. We don't have time to enjoy the food we eat, the yards we play in (if we do play at all!) or the music we listen to. Everything is a process. I'm eating breakfast quickly so I can get to work. I have to hurry up and walk the dog so I can do the dishes. It's never-ending. Everything we do is purpose driven and must lead to some end, the end we never truly find.
Having started this book and contemplating my own life and outlook, I have some work to do. This week I want to focus on my food. Isn't it crazy that we have this amazing power of taste and barely notice our food? Half the time I'm shoveling food so quickly into my mouth, it's barely enjoyable! I really want to savor my food, taste it and feel the texture. Secondly, I want to be truly aware. Instead of sitting down and reading a book for enjoyment while thinking about everything else I have to get done, I want to be truly present and really read the words. I want to take in the vocabulary, engage my curiosity and consider how I am personally involved with the text. I want to be aware of how soft my bed is, how warm the water from the shower feels, how beautiful the snow really is.
Finally, like Ogata said, "I try to mentally check to make sure that I haven't hurt anyone, that the people around me are okay." Wow, I realize how selfish I really am. I don't ever think about anyone else besides what I need and where I need to go and do. This week I need to be about the people around me. When they speak, I must listen. And truly listen, not just think about what I am going to say or respond with next. That is such a horrible habit I have. I barely hear the words others say, I'm only concerned about what witty, clever or funny thing I might say next. I think about how disrespected I would feel if I knew others "listened" to me in that way. Listening is one of the most important gifts you can ever give to someone. And that means putting my cell phone down too. Talking with the people who are next to me and not pretending like they don't exist and my phone is so much more engaging.
Ok, so be aware. Really listen and take time to care about others. It sounds so simply when you say it like that.
-Scotti
P.S. Check out the "Power 9" on the Blue Zones website- this is Buettner's collection of nine common denominators from people who live the longest.
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