Aloha Everyone,
My Mother is a very happy person. People ask her what is the secret of her long life. I think it is total concentration. Watching my Mother work in her garden, mindful of her task at the moment or her doing her accounting or preparing meals for us, whatever she is doing, she is giving her 100 percent.
Happiness is contagious. Here are some of the wisdom passed on by my Mother.
1. Be in the moment. Don't worry about tomorrow.
2. Eat well. Be sure to eat at least 20 types of food a day to have a balanced diet.
3. Sleep. If you are tired, don't resort to medications but instead go to sleep.
4. Learn to say, "No." Keep your life simple and learn to give a clear, concise answer of "No".
5. Have immediate goals and a long term goal.
6. Work in a garden. This could be the number one health practice for my Mother. She loves her garden and spends at least 2 - 3 hours a day.
7. Have friends. She has so many friends, young and old. If they know she is home, the phone does not cease ringing.
8. Don't worry about money. Money well spent will come around.
9. Volunteer, volunteer and volunteer. Helping others really is helping yourself. Social interaction enhances self-esteem, physical health, sense of well being, satisfaction and self-worth, purpose for your life and definitely anti-depression.
10. Travel. My Mother is an excellent traveler and loves to travel. She has been to nearly all of the states as well as to Asia, South-East Asia, Europe and South America. Her favorite country is Egypt. She is looking forward to returning there.
11, Enjoy the quiet time alone. She loves to surround herself with family and friends and yet she enjoys time alone and cherishes her moments of solitude.
12. Learn something new. She uses an iPhone when none of her friends even get close to it. She takes photos and emails them to her friends. She was watching me play a computer game and wants me to download the software so she can learn to play.
13. Surround yourself with reliable health professionals.
14. Have music in your life. She teaches Japanese musical instruments and singing.
15. Be grateful to everyone and count your blessings.
Her favorite saying in Japanese,
"Hito no furimite waga furi naose"
Translation: Observe others’ behavior, and correct your own.
Meaning: Learn from others’ good and bad points.
Aloha -- Cathi
