The first of the Baby Boomers, the ole hippies of the sixties, are now reaching the ripe ole age of sixty, however they are far removed from the grandparents of yesteryear. In fact, many 60-somethings are out to defy the death penalty of the average age of life that is set at eighty-two.
In fact, former US President Clinton is sixty today and said that "sixty was no dream", he added "I hate it, it's true" and added "For most of my working life, I was the youngest person doing whatever I was doing, then one day I woke up and I was the oldest person in the room." Routers - Friday August 18, 2006
Myself turning fifty-five this past spring, I know how Clinton feels. I too was the youngest in my career and one day, as if it were a simple blink of an eye, I was the oldest in that room. Although, I realized that it was my time, a time to begin to live my new life.
The population is aging at an increasingly rapid rate. The Canadian Government report on aging demonstrates that "In 2001, one Canadian in eight was aged 65 years or over. By 2006, one Canadian in five will have reached age 65." The Canadian study finds the life expectancy a little different than the US study, however, the Canadian report concludes that "Life expectancy is expected to continue to grow, albeit more slowly, reaching 81 years for men and 86 years for women in 2041."
At age 55 in 2006, there is a chance that I will live to see if the above facts are true. I sure am going to give it my best shot to get there.
According to Dr. Michael Brickey, an APA Fellow and Board Certified Psychologist with more than 30 years of clinical experience, the secret to living longer is: "70% is mental and lifestyle" and the other "30% of longevity is genetic." Dr. Brickey says that the way to "effect your health" is "Your Anti Aging ABCs (Attitudes, Beliefs, and Coping)."
Of course living a healthy lifestyle through the proper foods and plenty of exercise is right up there as well.
So why is it that with all this information people are fattening at an ever-increasingly alarming rate?
Maybe it will be the Baby Boomer generation that will take the lead and show the rest how important the above lifestyles will add years onto one's life.
Of course there are many factors that assist one to live a much better life. Quitting work early in life is one, however, only if you have something to take up the slack so as you do not sit around and mope about being "bored", a term I hear all-too-often from recently retired workers.
I had the fortunate experience to plan my retirement for many years. I looked forward to the day when I could say, "Take this job and ....". I look forward to each coming day, however I live one day at a time, planning of course for trips and events that are well into the future.
This past week I spent one of the most gruelling times on a course that I have ever experienced in my life, a course to become an ORCA Flatwater Canoe Instructor. After five 13-hour days of lessons and practicing precise paddling skills and a final test, I am now, a certified Flatwater Instructor. My plans include many more outdoor courses, two more this year, and my Canoe Tripping Level II in the spring of 2007 (already booked with Canoe-About).
With exercising 3 days a week at the gym, eating healthy, not smoking or drinking, and having many activities to challenge my mind, I do plan on living a very long time, God willing.
In fact, former US President Clinton is sixty today and said that "sixty was no dream", he added "I hate it, it's true" and added "For most of my working life, I was the youngest person doing whatever I was doing, then one day I woke up and I was the oldest person in the room." Routers - Friday August 18, 2006
Myself turning fifty-five this past spring, I know how Clinton feels. I too was the youngest in my career and one day, as if it were a simple blink of an eye, I was the oldest in that room. Although, I realized that it was my time, a time to begin to live my new life.
The population is aging at an increasingly rapid rate. The Canadian Government report on aging demonstrates that "In 2001, one Canadian in eight was aged 65 years or over. By 2006, one Canadian in five will have reached age 65." The Canadian study finds the life expectancy a little different than the US study, however, the Canadian report concludes that "Life expectancy is expected to continue to grow, albeit more slowly, reaching 81 years for men and 86 years for women in 2041."
At age 55 in 2006, there is a chance that I will live to see if the above facts are true. I sure am going to give it my best shot to get there.
According to Dr. Michael Brickey, an APA Fellow and Board Certified Psychologist with more than 30 years of clinical experience, the secret to living longer is: "70% is mental and lifestyle" and the other "30% of longevity is genetic." Dr. Brickey says that the way to "effect your health" is "Your Anti Aging ABCs (Attitudes, Beliefs, and Coping)."
Of course living a healthy lifestyle through the proper foods and plenty of exercise is right up there as well.
So why is it that with all this information people are fattening at an ever-increasingly alarming rate?
Maybe it will be the Baby Boomer generation that will take the lead and show the rest how important the above lifestyles will add years onto one's life.
Of course there are many factors that assist one to live a much better life. Quitting work early in life is one, however, only if you have something to take up the slack so as you do not sit around and mope about being "bored", a term I hear all-too-often from recently retired workers.
I had the fortunate experience to plan my retirement for many years. I looked forward to the day when I could say, "Take this job and ....". I look forward to each coming day, however I live one day at a time, planning of course for trips and events that are well into the future.
This past week I spent one of the most gruelling times on a course that I have ever experienced in my life, a course to become an ORCA Flatwater Canoe Instructor. After five 13-hour days of lessons and practicing precise paddling skills and a final test, I am now, a certified Flatwater Instructor. My plans include many more outdoor courses, two more this year, and my Canoe Tripping Level II in the spring of 2007 (already booked with Canoe-About).
With exercising 3 days a week at the gym, eating healthy, not smoking or drinking, and having many activities to challenge my mind, I do plan on living a very long time, God willing.
