How is your day so far? This week I got to sit down and actually read an article that I had put aside to read when I wouldn’t be disturbed. I wanted to read about the elderly in Okinawa Japan. It seems that the villagers in a sleepy northern part of Okinawa, appear to live longer, and healthier. There is even a song that says that 50 and 60 year olds are babies, and people in their 70 and 80’s are adults. It is only after turning into your 90’s that you begin to bloom. In the Ogimi village, (pop 3308) they claim to having the highest longevity record in the world. A super elder is someone over 100 =^_^=
The longest centenarian study (36 years) has involved Dr. Makoto Suzuki who is the principal researcher behind the Okinawa Centenarian Study. In 1994 he was joined by Drs. Craig and Bradley Willcox (Calgary born). Their findings have been published and thanks in part to Oprah Winfrey, it became a bit of a bestseller.
How the World’s Longest Lived People Achieve Everlasting Health – and How you can too (2001). The study was funded by the Japan Ministry of Health. they looked at the total health of the “seniors” – physical, mental and spiritual. Dr Suzuki explained that part of the good spiritual health came from the island way of thinking called nankuru naisa, meaning don’t worry, be happy.. note.. these people lived through relentless bombardments during the war and years of poverty in the aftermath. In PL, every day is a new day, a new beginning, the 21 Principles help us achieve an Artistic Life.
Another factor in the islander’s longevity, is waking each day with Ikigai (a reason to get out of bed) In PL, we do our best to live each moment to the fullest, PL Precept #18 – Each Moment is a Turning Point …………. PL # 14 Peace is everything
Let’s not forget, diet and exercise. How food is cooked is as relevant as the foods themselves. Having purpose in all we do ( life ) is so important The philosophy and concept of what I was reading smacked of how as a Taoist I try to live everyday, and as a practitioner of PL (Perfect Liberty) I am encouraged and supported in my daily devotions to live in a manner that will promote world peace. Grand thinking, no not really, if we, each and every one of us, practice living with love in our hearts and continue to reach out and pray for others and peace, one by one our loving hearts will link, through Shingei (sharing our PL faith with others) the loving energy of world peace will grow.
When we look beyond ourselves, towards world Peace, our lives will be more fulfilling. We will have joy in self expression, living our lives to the fullest, will give us longevity. Happiness is such a wonderful state of BEing. Blessings all!
The article that so inspired this piece was written by Annarosa Sabbadini ( published in Doctor”s Review March 2013 )
virtual art from SL (Second Life)
Happiness is a state of mind – BE happy everyone….
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