What Will We Be Remembered For?

"We have no idea what age we will live to. But one thing is for sure,

we have the best chance at living a long and healthy life today, rather

than a hundred years ago. But the real question I ask is:

What will we be remembered for?"

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in

a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid broadside, thoroughly

used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: WOW, what a ride!"

—Author unknown

"The oldest practicing lawyer in Massachusetts was a man named,

 Reuben Landau.  Reuben was practicing law every day with his son Bill.

At age 103, Reuben refused to retire. He worked until he became ill,

three weeks before he passed away. The elder Landau was sharp right until

he passed on.

Maybe working every day kept him young. Maybe his refusal to

rust away like some old car from 1904 kept him alive. Imagine that—a

car from the year of Reuben Landau’s birth would have to be from

1904! That puts into perspective how old he was in 2007. Age really is

a state of mind. Attitude is so important. The attitude of “Why not?!”

is so important. The question may come up, “Are you sure you want to

continue working at your age?” And the answer that comes from the

heart and mind of the centenarian is, “Why not?!”

You see, they know in their minds that they are over 100, but they

immediately discount it, staying sharp, staying current with the times,

and growing rather than dwindling away."

"Edna Parker was born in 1893 and died in 2008. She lived to

the ripe old age of 115 years and 220 days. For some time Edna was

considered the oldest person in the world. She attended college, became

a teacher, lived on a farm, had two sons. She loved to read; she enjoyed

poetry and recited poetry to her visitors.

 

As of September 2009, there were twenty-three people who were

validated to have lived to the age of 115. Amazing! There are certain

genes that contribute to longevity, no doubt. But there are also thought

patterns that, I believe, shave many a year off someone’s life. Imagine if

we could only perfect the “special formula”!

To live to age 115, someone would have to live over 42,000 days.

Amazing! Can you imagine that? The number of people over age 100 in

the U.S. today is more than 84,000. By the year 2040 it is estimated that

number will grow to 580,000. My suggestion: Watch what you allow to

seep into that computer-mind that so skillfully runs the manufacturing

plant we call our bodies.

Sarah Knauss lived to be 119 years and 97 days old. She lived her

entire life in Pennsylvania. She was a homemaker, worked in an insurance

office, and was healthy most of her life. Her daughter explained her

mother’s longevity this way: “She’s a very tranquil person, and nothing

fazes her. That’s why she’s living this long.” Her daughter lived to the age

of 101 herself.”

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that

we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most

frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented,

fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your

playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about

shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all

meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of

God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we

let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do

the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically

liberates others."

—Marianne Williamson 

SO: What Will We Be Remembered For?
C-2011 John Paul Carinci