I was watching a couple of talk shows with the author of the new book "The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest", by Dan Buettner . As I understand it the book is about the few places in the world where people live to be 100 in quite large numbers and what they do in each of their lives to reach such a milestone. How people eat, socialize, exercise and view the purpose, (or lack thereof) in their lives, determines how long an individual will live. It is not something one can just fad diet or try out on the weekends...it is a life style that one lives every day. Our routines, our families and our outlook on life it turns out not only determines how we live our lives but for how long.
In our society as it is today....most Americans live in a zone that is anything but blue. Most of us live and work away from our families. We change jobs, cities and friends frequently. We seem to to lust for highs, whether, natural or chemical as opposed to building foundations on family, routine and purpose. I am not sure what color the author would paint the zone that most of us live in...but blue would certainly not be in the color pallet of most American lives.
Perhaps the current financial crisis we are in will actually turn out to be a blessing in the long run as it may force many of us to be closer to home physically, psychologically and nutritionally. If we cannot indulge ourselves in these areas we may reconnect with what is really important and extend our lives here on this earth. Wouldn't that be ironic? Many of us have spent tons of cash and extended credit for years chasing foutains of youth, along with magic diets when all along the simple, inexpensive key to long life was in our back yards! Start your gardens or tend the ones you already have. As Star Trek's Mr. Spock used to say LIVE Long and Prosper!
Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com
DeLand, Florida Counseling Office and Sunshine State Online Therapy/Coaching/Consultation/Advocacy
1 comment:
Hi Jodi
Blue zone sounds so familiar to me.
I think that true "coming home" for us is to learn to know ourselves again. We go out buy things, run and look for something.. outside but "home" is inside .
If we could spend more time to truly listen to our mind, soul, intuition..(we can use many words) we will find our Blue Zone around ourselves.
Blue to me is peaceful happiness in sense of knowing who we are.
Love
Dorothea Healing Voice
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