A 2005 article in National Geographic
identified three regions of the world where
people have consistently shown longer life
spans: Okinawa, Sardinia, and Loma Linda,
California. Dan Buettner, a researcher and
explorer involved with the 2005 article, decided
to do a follow-up study to determine if there
were more regions to be discovered. His team
found an abnormally large number of people
living past 90—even into their 100s—on the
Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica.
Intrigued, Buettner and a large research team
made their way to the region to discover what
factors aided in living a longer life. They
found that longevity is due in part to diet, sun
exposure, and source of water, but they also
found the following factors to be crucial in the
survival of the people:
·
The people on the Nicoya
Peninsula have a strong sense of
purpose. They "feel needed and want
to contribute to a greater good."
·
They choose to focus on
the family. Persons over 100 years
of age in this region "tend to live with
their families…Children or grandchildren
provide support and a sense of purpose
and belonging."
·
They have strong social
networks. Their neighbors visit
frequently, and they all seem to know
the value of listening, laughing, and
appreciating what they have.
·
They know the value of
hard work. They even manage to "find
joy in everyday physical chores."
The above excerpt illustrates just how important
family and community are to the emotional and
social well being of most people.
When a person has a strong sense of purpose he
or she knows that they are not put here on this
earth to just take up space. They don’t sit
around and feel sorry for themselves. They find
ways to contribute consistently. They realize
that happiness, if it is the goal, will be
elusive. But when the goal is making life better
for others, it is a constant companion.
When a person focuses on the family they avail
themselves of one of the richest resources with
which God has blessed people. When Jesus was
making the point of the disciple’s devotion to
him, why do you think he chose the words he did?
He said, “If anyone comes to me
and does not hate his own father and mother and
wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes,
and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple”
(Luke 14:26). Why did he choose those
relationships to emphasize that no one must come
between each of us and our Lord? Because the
norm is that those are the most important people
in the lives of most people, apparently by God’s
design. And if the Christian has those
relationships properly secondary to his or her
relationship to Christ, then all lesser
relationships will also fall in line in the
proper place.
When a person has strong social
networks they know the value of getting involved
in the community and just casually visiting with
friends and neighbors. The coffee being on is
more important than the television being on.
They live among people not secluded from people.
Their “my space” is the dining room table or the
front porch where they touch, laugh and cry with
people who make their lives rich.
When a person knows the value of
hard work they know the good feeling of going to
bed, worn out from working hard. They know that
this hard work is the means that God has
provided for us to provide for ourselves, our
loved ones and others in need. They see
themselves as givers, not takers.
When a person understands
and appreciates his or her historical roots and
spiritual traditions they have a critical
connection to their past and a bridge to their
future. They see what has shaped them and why
they value what they do. They may see things
that need to be corrected but in their seeing of
these things they still maintain a high
appreciation for their heritage.
These things are about much more than living a
long life. They are about living a fulfilled
life. Make it your life.
God bless you,
Brad Fry
