Today’s Miracle Moment is About a 105-Year-Old Woman’s Secret to Happiness…
Recently, I attended a singing event with about 25 people, where we sang beautiful songs and chants together for about 2 hours. Throughout the event, I noticed a radiant woman in the back row – she had a huge smile on her face, and she was clapping and singing along the whole time. She stood out to me because she looked to be a little older than the rest of the people there. After we were done singing, I went to meet her and found out that her name was Natalie and she was about to have her 105th birthday.
She was the first 105-year-old I’d ever met, and she was full of energy, cracking jokes, and living in what we call the Miracle Zone!
We sat down to talk to her, and I asked her what her secret is to living to 105 with such zest and a big smile on her face?
Because it’s one thing to live to 105, but it’s another to be full of life, vitality, happiness and energy at that age.
Natalie said that her secret is keeping busy and helping people. She loves encouraging others, helping them believe in themselves, and doing that gives her an extra spark.
What I love about this is that when most of us think about being 105, we’re afraid we’ll need to rely on others.
Instead, Natalie keeps her focus on helping others, and that’s helped her to stay healthy and energized at her age.
I also got to talk with Ann, Natalie’s daughter, who said that one of her mom’s strengths is that she’s a “rascal” who has a lightness and sense of humor about life. And she definitely made me laugh during our short chat.
Natalie’s experience is backed up by research done by Dan Buettner, who discovered the Blue Zones – the places in the world where people live the longest, healthiest lives. Just the day after meeting Natalie, I had an interview already scheduled with Dan for Your Year of Miracles members.
Dan said: Having a sense of purpose and helping others can add 8 years to life. And that’s far more powerful than any pill or any supplement you can find.
So there you go – put your focus on how you can help others, and have a sense of humor about life.
This week, I invite you to look for ways to focus on helping or encouraging others. This doesn’t have to look like spending a whole day doing volunteer work, but it can. Simply have the intention to be an encouraging presence for others, and as you go through your day look for the opportunities to help others or show you care. And, when life feels too serious, practice having a sense of humor.
Leave us a comment about what Natalie’s story inspires in you! We look forward to hearing from you.
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