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Is Age Really Just a State of Mind?

Recent studies suggest many of us are going to be around longer than our parents were, but will those latter years be worth living?

Statistically, worldwide we’re likely to be living longer than our parents.  The 116th birthday celebration . on Sunday bears testament to that. This, of course varies from country to country, but according to infoplease.com, it has gone from an average joint lifespan for men and woman in 1960 of 69.7 to 78.7 by 2010. That’s an increase of almost 10 years in just half a century.  The big question, however, is will we be able to make those extra 10 years worth living?

According to t, yes – and baby boomers are leading the way. A featured Patch photo of 70-year-old Bud Stacy surfing behind the wake of a boat on Lake Sinclair suggests that some even before the baby boomer age have it figured out.

Our question today is, now that we’re going to be living 10 years longer than our parents, are we going to be able to make those years worth living? And if so, what is the best way to do so?

Sheri & Bill Eppright August 28, 2012 at 01:41 pm
Thanks for mentioning us, Sharon! Your article is right up our ally, and we would love to chime in with a comment on our favorite topic! As Boomers, Public Speakers and Ambassadors of healthy aging, our presentations offer tips on living an Active Positive Lifestyle. The path? Eat your fruits and veggies and plenty of H2O; reward your body with exercise; stimulate your mind--do something productive that you love; and surround yourself with active positive people to help keep that smile on your face! Positively yours, Sheri and Bill
C Hobbs August 28, 2012 at 01:43 pm
My husband and I are both 57 and we love to wake surf behind our boat on Lake Hartwell. It not only helps keep us in shape physically, but it keeps those endorphins going strong. We have had many good laughs, and best of all it doesn't hurt to fall! Congrats to Bud Stacy! We hope we will be doing this at 70, just like you! Exercise and eating right is the right start to longevity...then find something you really enjoy and stick with it.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) August 28, 2012 at 02:29 pm
One of the things that struck me when I first moved to the U.S. almost 25 years ago was the fact that people worked to retire, so they could really start living. When I was in SA, it seemed to me that people worked to retire so they could sit back and wait for the end of their life - this way worked so much better for me. But I agree, you have to work toward it - you have to plan ahead for those latter years, financially and physically, so you can really start living then.
Ann Anderson - mustbeamiracle August 28, 2012 at 04:26 pm
My spirited 84 year old grandma is moving in with me this weekend and I am going to value the time together. I know she'd agree its a state of mind! To keep the mind following the body and vise versa here's my 2 cents worth. If you're dealing with any addiction or have a loved one that battles them, what decade in your life are you going to stop letting it lead you? Don't let it for one more day. Get help and remember if it ruffles feathers it probably means you are doing the RIGHT thing. Cross your arms in front of you and squeeze - you've been hugged!
Linda M August 29, 2012 at 01:42 pm
Personally, I don't want to live to be 80 years old; I am 61 and feel my mind and body are already falling apart!
Jack McClure August 29, 2012 at 02:23 pm
I'm 31. it's so hard for me to imagine what my life will be like in 5 years, much less 50. At this point, I really want to be helping people and building a community, so as long as I'm doing that, I think I'll be old and happy.
John Macak August 29, 2012 at 05:04 pm
I am 59 years old with health problems, It really sucks knowing that I will be lucky if I live another 11 years. So I try not to think about it and just keep on truckin !!!!
bobby black August 29, 2012 at 06:01 pm
Sometimes the quality of life reaches a point where you wonder if it is worth keeping on keeping on.
Harriet August 29, 2012 at 06:18 pm
Hang in there John. If Obama has it his way, you'll never have to suffer another 11 years. He'll find you a pill to take or something.
Elizabeth August 29, 2012 at 08:20 pm
Linda, I am not trying to prescribe for you, but I am watching Dr. Oz right now, and he cites a lack of B-12 in a diet as a concern. Talk to your physician about how you feel. You may need supplements to your diet, more exercise, or brain stimulation such as reading or working crossword puzzles. If you are able, get out and about. My mother is 87, and just started "working out" with an exercise class for her age group. I need to take a clue from her and do that, too!!
Elizabeth August 29, 2012 at 08:29 pm
Jack, helping people is like a tonic - it gives one a boost. Building a community will bless people long after you are gone, and will leave a good mark that you were here.
Elizabeth August 29, 2012 at 08:31 pm
That is true Bobby. That is when I pray for God's will, whatever that might be, to be done in the life of my loved one or a casual acquaintance.
Elizabeth August 29, 2012 at 08:32 pm
John, I truly believe our mental attitude can affect our physical condition. Keep on keepin' on!!
Kimberly Gorgoglione August 29, 2012 at 09:01 pm
Maybe there's something you can do to change the quality.
Racer X October 30, 2012 at 11:42 am
You are only as old as the woman you feel. If you want to stay young, always marry a younger woman.

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
David Binder June 18, 2013 at 06:03 pm
And it's not posting my comment how I typed it. It's jumbled on the "Boards" banner.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 06:11 pm
Yea, sorry David. We are still dealing with some "issues." It rejected Jason's blog, andRead More none of us, not even our top regional editor, is being given authority to release it. Poor Jason, I know he so hates being rejected! And we hate it happening to him. The people not being "bugged" by technical issues, however, are reporting that it is super easy to use.
Tammy Osier June 18, 2013 at 01:08 am
Sadly, Mr. Newman, we have people who live in a utopic vision of the world and refuse to believeRead More that this can happen. Sounds a bit like 1984. Ironic too, is that in the bible, when the Lord was referring to people being blinded and going astray, he referred to them as sheep, and that phrase has been coined today to denote the same type of mentality. This could happen if our watchmen stop guarding the gate.
Karsten Torch June 18, 2013 at 12:39 pm
What's sad is that people will accuse you of needing a tinfoil hat because of this post. But weRead More are marching inexorably toward this end, the only thing we can really control is how quickly or slowly we get there.....
Tom Laverick June 18, 2013 at 01:06 pm
That looks similar to a lost dog poster at the corner of 81 and Bold Springs Road.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 03:05 pm
Tom, I will see if I can find the connection.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 05:51 pm
Good news! Her name is Izzi and she has been reunited with her owners.
tijensen June 15, 2013 at 12:34 pm
The better assignment would have been how could you have written a letter to try and convince themRead More not to commit suicide. To persuade them about all the wonderful things you love about them, how special they are and what the world would miss if they were not in it. A creative teacher could have used the same exercise to teach a life lesson that may have helped someone save a life down the road.
Tammy Osier June 15, 2013 at 12:40 pm
TJ, exactly. Like you said, a GOOD teacher would have found a way to make students think outside theRead More box yet still examine the mood of the story. But I do agree with ggy that it might have been more appropriate for a college aged student. High school (girls especially) have so much drama going on inside of them, and confusion about so many things, that it might be impossible for them to be objective in an assignment like that. Boo to the teacher.
flyinby June 15, 2013 at 08:34 pm
strikes me as more subversive attempts by perverted minds dedicated to influence all our childrenRead More with this sick mindset: http://larouchepac.com/node/11188 http://www.naturalnews.com/040744_euthanasia_children_mercy_killings.html http://www.lifenews.com/2013/06/06/sarah-palin-blasts-sebelius-for-denying-girls-lifesaving-lung-transplant/ http://cnsnews.com/blog/judie-brown/lives-unworthy-be-lived-and-polst http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/the-elite-are-attempting-to-convince-us-that-killing-off-our-sick-grandparents-is-cool-and-trendy suicides higher than car crashes past few yrs http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2207089/56-million-suicide-prevention-programme-launched-study-reveals-Americans-lives-die-car-crashes.html http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/02/08/more-states-consider-legalizing-assisted-suicide-as-baby-boomers-age/
Octo Slash June 14, 2013 at 12:18 pm
My kids drink coffee every morning because they need something to accompany their cigarettes.
Tammy Osier June 14, 2013 at 01:12 pm
Tr - the perfect diet - the Mediterranean diet has a lot of fish in it. Olive oils etc... OurRead More American diet has a lot of animal fat in it and look at us as opposed to other nations! Fish oil is brain food. A multi is good, but we should ask our pediatricians about adding fish oil to our kids' diets. We should get our (good) fats through diet. Good fats help vitamins go where they are supposed to and do what they're supposed to do.
Deedee June 15, 2013 at 08:12 pm
My grandma always drunk coffee all day and I started around 30 and I am no good without at least oneRead More cup a day but she always stated that we couldn't have any as kids because it will stunt our growth. I have always felt that there is something to many of those old sayings and did not let my son touch it.
Tammy Osier June 17, 2013 at 01:53 pm
DR, seems like an oxymoron doesn't it? I'd like to hear from someone who is actually from there toRead More find out their spin on why they even enter a contestant in the first place. It's my understanding that a woman that shows that much skin in public will be flogged or worse? Maybe democracy is taking ahold in some places, who knows?
Good Grief Y'all June 17, 2013 at 03:24 pm
I was wrong. Guys are interested pageants. You would no doubt be happy if the contestants justRead More wore the face shawl with their bikinis.
Karsten Torch June 17, 2013 at 04:30 pm
Couple of thoughts - One, why hold it in a land where there is going to be this kind of protest?Read More Just move it and don't worry about it. Other, I find it interesting how the Muslims want us to be understanding and inclusive of their beliefs, but don't even think they'll allow anything they don't agree with. Just a tad bit hypocritical...
R June 14, 2013 at 02:06 am
You mean the FEES don't you? Cause they aint taxes don't you know...
Bonnie June 14, 2013 at 11:50 am
I call it a "rainbow!"
M.K. Osborne June 14, 2013 at 03:30 pm
Fees is when its lightning too .
Mr. B June 13, 2013 at 01:29 pm
They're not Americans. They don't deserve to step foot on American soil.
Good Grief Y'all June 13, 2013 at 01:34 pm
Meh, a difference without distinction.
Good Grief Y'all June 13, 2013 at 01:37 pm
Huh, you learn something once in a while on Patch blog threads. I didn't know you must be anRead More American citizen to be tried and convicted of crimes against America . . . ;p I think John and Sarah could handle them . . . you betcha! They would probably beg to be sent back to Gitmo. LOL
EMILY GOLDSTEIN June 7, 2013 at 10:35 am
We don't know yet..it was not me who found her. They had Gwinnett pick her up after staying withherRead More for a few hours..we will know after they process her there. I have contacted golden retriever rescues to let them know so they can see if they have lost ads ..or if need be rescue her
EMILY GOLDSTEIN June 8, 2013 at 02:24 am
She is so sad and missing her owner ANIMAL ID#32243 I am in PEN 114, FEMALE, GOLDEN RETRIEVER. TheRead More shelter thinks I am 3 YEARS OLD. I will be available for adoption starting 6/12/13. FOUND STRAY, LARGE, FRIENDLY Contact the shelter for more info 770-339-3200.
EMILY GOLDSTEIN June 10, 2013 at 03:11 am
Reunited!
Good Grief Y'all June 12, 2013 at 11:43 am
The top marginal tax rate in 1945 was 94%; today it is 35%. This info from one of the slides in theRead More article on various tax charts, including corporate. "A look at 2010 data reveals that the U.S. is one of the least taxed countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), according to a study released Monday by Citizens For Tax Justice. The CTJ added up federal, state and local tax revenue. The only countries in the OECD that collected a smaller percentage in taxes are Chile and Mexico, according to the data. The OECD is a group of 34 countries that work together to improve the global economy." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/us-lowest-taxes-most-industralized-countries_n_3039470.html?utm_hp_ref=business&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D295994
Good Grief Y'all June 12, 2013 at 12:30 pm
So, B, are you saying no corporations pay taxes? If that were true, why do they offshoreRead More manufacturing and money to avoid and evade? Some don't pay depending on their structure, many do. US corps don't pay as much as most in developed countries, and they sure won't go along with paying more or seeing their CEOs pay more on individual returns. According to the OECD as mentioned in the link, US corporations pay an e f f e c t i v e rate of 13%. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/us-lowest-taxes-most-industralized-countries_n_3039470.html?utm_hp_ref=business&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D295994
Maria Navarro June 13, 2013 at 04:36 pm
Most of the government organizations cannot be trusted, as they have been filled with mostly crooksRead More (not all, but a good majority who use their power to fill their pockets)therefore, I think the IRS should be abolished. We need to go to a FAIR TAX and this way EVERYONE would have to pay their fair share!