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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?

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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.
Note Article
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 20, 2013 at 12:32 am
I have a coworker that wants your fridge. Please email me or leave a number where she can call youRead More & I'll hook y'all up.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 19, 2013 at 09:16 am
David, it's still there we are just in the process of working out the bug on uploading photos toRead More articles that we authored (ugh!). I just didn't want to promote it and have people try and upload photos unsuccessfully. Depending on how long it takes to address this issue, I may keep June open through part of July - I hope not. If you have any photos you want to add, email them to me and I will upload them for you in the meantime.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 19, 2013 at 09:19 am
That is the strawberry fields. I have a picture of the strawberry fields between the welcome toRead More Loganville and welcome to Grayson signs that I will get up soon.
EMILY GOLDSTEIN June 18, 2013 at 09:49 pm
Rabies tag on dog leads to a disconnected owners number
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.
TheSkalawag June 19, 2013 at 08:10 am
I wonder. Will Patch restore the reply button and add a responded to your comment notification?
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 19, 2013 at 09:21 am
Please keep these comments coming. We are forwarding all these issues to our production team. TheRead More ones that are most pressing are more likely to be addressed first. Once we have the initial roll out completed and working well, the tweaking will begin.
Dave June 19, 2013 at 07:28 pm
I'm just reporting the news, Skal. I don't know the reasons although I could speculate. Just keepRead More your head down and don't answer the door.
TheSkalawag June 19, 2013 at 07:43 pm
Okay Dave ;-) Whatever you say:-) :-)
Good Grief Y'all June 19, 2013 at 07:47 pm
Scawwy stuff.
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.
Tom Laverick June 18, 2013 at 09:42 pm
Great News!!!!
TheSkalawag June 19, 2013 at 07:50 pm
As usual Dave all you have are complaints about possible solutions but NO solutions of your own toRead More offer.
TheSkalawag June 19, 2013 at 07:55 pm
There's one in particular GGY.
R++ One of the Famous Dacula Crew June 20, 2013 at 12:27 am
Put it all the questions on the Census...
TheSkalawag June 19, 2013 at 07:35 pm
I remember my Great Grandmother putting just enough coffee in a cup of milk to color the milk and weRead More would sit and have our "morning coffee" together before we went to the farmer's market on Saturdays or before we went to church on Sundays. Those were some of my most cherished times in my life.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 19, 2013 at 07:58 pm
So glad you have found your voice again Skalawag!
TheSkalawag June 19, 2013 at 08:12 pm
Me too. Couldn't have done it without you and your great IT team. Thank you Sharon.
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++ One of the Famous Dacula Crew 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 .