A five year study, completed by Dr. Leonard Poon of
the University of Georgia, revealed some interesting principles regarding the
mastery of “balance” in our life. In his study of 97 active, productive people
over one hundred years of age, he found that they had mastered four common
characteristics.
1.
OPTIMISM –
They tended to have a positive view of the past and the future. They were not
dominated by worry and negativity.
2.
ENGAGEMENT –
They were actively involved in life. They were not passive observers, allowing
life to pass them by.
3.
MOBILITY –
They stayed active physically. One person was an aerobics instructor, most
walked daily or gardened.
4.
ADAPTABILITY TO LOSS – They had an extraordinary ability to stay balanced
by adapting to and accepting change or loss. Even though most of them had lost their
families and friends, they still had a zest for living.
The study also uncovered one interesting
surprise. These 100 year olds tended to eat whatever they wanted. In fact most
of them had a high fat, high calorie diets. What was their secret to a healthy
lifestyle? They were happy, involved, active, and balanced people. They
appeared to have mastered the joy of a balanced life.
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