My mother-in-law turns 100 years old tomorrow.
Yes, you read that correctly: She will be One. Hundred. Years. Old.
Her father was one of the last homesteaders in Montana. And she was born in a one-room log cabin — that her father built — during the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. She rode a horse to school, which was also a one-room schoolhouse. She married right out of high school — and years later, she became the first female lobbyist for National Farmers Union. She was a late-in-life mom when it wasn’t the norm, after experiencing several miscarriages. And she lost her first husband to a rare and aggressive cancer when her son (my husband) was five years old. There’s a lot more to her story, and I’m thankful she’s written it down for the family.
A few weeks ago, when I asked her what she thought about her approaching milestone birthday, she said, “Well, you just put one foot in front of the other, and somehow, there you are.”
Many people like to weigh in on the secrets to a long life — and some people are simply surprised to find themselves older than they ever expected to be. I also know that no matter what age we are, the number doesn’t define us. So often, someone will say, “I don’t feel [insert a specific age].”
So maybe the secret to living well is to ignore the accumulation of years. Instead, accumulate good memories. Accumulate love. Accumulate a strong sense of self. Accumulate kindness. And then share all of that wealth you’ve accumulated … over and over again.
In Your Words: What’s your “secret” to living well?
In Others' Words: The Secret to Living Well http://bit.ly/2ABS41D #quotes #perspective Click To Tweet 'The secret to living well and longer is: eat half, walk double, laugh triple, and love without measure.' Tibetan Proverb http://bit.ly/2ABS41D #life #encouragement Click To Tweet
Comments 8
I love this post, and I hadn’t heard that quote, but what good advice. (And Tibetans and Nepalese are famous for living long so there must be at least natural truth in it–it makes me want to adopt it). Your M-I-L has quite a legacy (and wonderful fruit now). I think her observation is correct. Having faced what was termed life-threatening issues a few times, it’s sculpted a response in me to live each moment to the fullest and live without regret. I’ve certainly been enjoying the journey and the outstanding friends I meet along the way.
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There’s truth to what you say in living without regret because that weighs a person down and holds them back. I also think unforgiveness and resentment does the same thing.
Excellent essay, Beth.
If I have any clues to living well, one of them is that I don’t have a strong sense of self. Life has stripped away what I thought I was, and i saw that it had been only a papier-mache construct of what I did, and the things to which I aspired.
Putting aside the definitions, which were rigid and, while attractive, ultimately binding, I’m now free as the sparrow who flits from branch to branch, singing in his dawn that is free of self-consciousness.
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Andrew: I would argue that you have redefined your sense of self — and that yes, it is a strong sense of self. One that gets you through the challenges you face every single day.
I would love to post that picture and quote for my friends. Would you send it to me to share? I don’t tweet. And I love the picture!
tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com
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Hi, Gail:
You can share it to Facebook. It’s on my FB page and you can share it from there. Does that work? 🙂
Beth, I love this post! Happy Birthday to your MIL! I totally agree…accumulate it all and then share all that you’ve accumulated!
Author
Thank you, Tonya! I will share your birthday wishes with my mother-in-law! 🙂