Your attitude to life and how you approach them early on will form part of your life journey on how you would age. Just like the 60 plus years old leather briefcase above, which belongs to my dad, it takes care and discipline to upkeep to its current condition.
Since my earlier post on “Relaxing Australia”, I have received many interests to understand how my dad maintained both his physical and mental health so well. My dad had just celebrated his Chinese 100 years old birthday this week and I thought this is a great time for me to share his secrets towards graceful ageing.
Ageing gracefully is an attitude and a lifestyle that should be practised at any stages of your life. There are many aspects that could help but I like to share three key areas which are evident in my dad’s life.
Keep Your Mind Working
Organise his documents
Refresh his memory
Checking lunch bills
Be Curious And Stay Engaged
Read a lot; watch a lot; and talk a lot, be engaged in active conversations on anything and everything with a deep curiosity.
When you are curious, you will be constantly learning and your mind will be at work all the time. So if my hundred year old dad can progress to use digital tools and media like a smartphone to make WhatsApp video calls and watch old dramas over YouTube, anyone of us can learn anything as long as we put our mind to it !
Make friends with people of all backgrounds, be it young or old; workers or bosses; locals or foreigners; good or bad; etc.. there will always be something in common to talk about and to learn. Whether it is the latest news; the latest social media trends; memories of old times; sharing of experiences; all these interactions can be thought provoking and can help develop a very strong mental health !
He has amazingly made many lifelong friends of all age groups and backgrounds, many would call and chat with him frequently over the phone.
Keep Your Body Moving
Enjoy Every Moment
Be Adventurous
It’s More Then Just An Outing
How well you age is dependent on how active you were throughout your life. The more active you are during the younger years, the stronger the foundation for a graceful ageing. My dad used to practise Qigong at a young age and has stayed active throughout his life.
As one gets older, it does not necessarily have to be rigorous exercises, even just a simple walk; a simple outing to enjoy the sea breeze will help to keep both mind and body fit.
Be always curious and interested in things around you and be in control of your every action. My dad simply loves life and would often just flow along with what the children have organised for him and just enjoys his every moment.
His Secret Recipes
Ginseng
Eat Simply. My dad’s diet is very simple, porridge with tofu (beancurd), vegetables and fish are often part of his regular diet. But his real secret recipe is Ginseng !
He has been taking Ginseng for as long as I can remember and he always carries a few slices of Ginseng in a small ziplock bag with him wherever he goes, including travelling overseas.
One slice a day, keeps the doctor away .
Have a positive mindset, which is a very important attitude towards graceful ageing. How you think when you are young would influence how you behave and respond when you get old. Recent years, my dad has been reminiscing about the good old days and had so much energy and fun sharing them.
So, be thankful for the present moments and live life positively ! These are important foundations to happy graceful ageing, besides keeping mind and body fit.
Lyn
Amazing 100 years old dad
❤️
We all must learn to age gracefully like our dad !
Looking forward to your interests articles every week
Wow what an achievement !!! Thanks for the insight Lyn. Enjoy reading your blog. Looking forward to the next one!
Thank you
❤️
Amazing story!!!
Thank you ❤️
Hi, Lyn
Very Nice ❤
Well done
Thank you ❤️
Happy 100 Birthday to your dad !
Thanks for sharing the secrets of his longevity.
Thank you very much
great insights! Living to the fullest!
Indeed ❤️
Congrats to you dad’s 100th birthday! Wonderful fulfilling and healthy life!
Thank you
Wow living to 100 years old.. an intriguing and scary thought. But your dad is a great example of a life well lived…
Yeah indeed !
Wow! Your dad is such an inspiration. I am going to widen my circle of friends and definitely buying Ginseng
Thank you for sharing Lyn. Wishing your dad a very happy 100th birthday and many, many more to come.
Thank you and trust you will enjoy the Ginseng !
Super story . Wishing your dad his 100th birthday
Thank you very much !
To be 100 and still so healthy is a big achievement! Congrats and thanks for the sharing of his secrets!
Thank you !
Wow. Firstly please convey my Congratulations and best wishes to your father on turning 100. He would be one among the very few world over. He also showed that everything in life is simple but we end up complicating it with our so called value add! Amazing that he still remains curious. Finally i just can’t get over the photo of his leather bag – 60 years and looks new. My goodness. Today, we change stuff at the drop of a hat. Simple living High thinking.
Thank you ! Grateful that my dad has been an inspiration to many around him.
Hi Lyn,
Wishing your dad a Happy 100th Birthday!!!
Thanks for another great sharing here. Your dad is amazing – keeping himself mentally active, healthy and happy at his age!!! A great example for many to emulate.
Kmk
Thank you so much ! So happy that he can be an inspiration to even those he has not even met ❤️
Congratulations and Happy Birthday to uncle
Thank you ❤️
So many lessons for me in this blog. Living simply, being positive, keeping busy by making friends from all walks of life.
Most times we are busy chasing after material wants that we forget a simple life can give so much happiness.
Happy 100th birthday Uncle! You are an inspiration.
Thank you for sharing Lyn..
Thank you ! Yes my dad is my role model and feeling blessed ❤️
Lyn,
A Lovely true story which is simple to read, understand and be inspired. Thank you for sharing your love and joy.
Thank you so much for your feedback, so happy to know you find it simple to read and understand, and most importantly inspired !
Congrats to you dad’s 100th birthday! His outlook of life is just amazing and inspiring… may he have many more great and memorable years with his loved ones…
Thank you so much for your well wishes and so happy you find him inspiring !
Missed to read your post earlier. Belated birthday wishes to your dad. He is truly an inspiration. Pray for his continued good health and cheers. Thanks for sharing the “secrets” for a good life.
Thank you very much Shankar !
Lyn so awesome of u to share the secret to the long life of your 100 yrs dad. U are so lucky to have 100 yrs dad. I believe it is not easy. He really make good of the time he has. His memory is so fantastic. Thank u to his simple and healthy diet. We have to learn from him. Amazingly, he proves himself constantly learning by reading a lot, watching news, involves in active conversation by making friends and with family members, able to relax by watching u-tube and enjoy his favourite t.v. drama. Talking about your dad reminds me if I can live until his age and still healthy is a bountiful blessings. May God continues to bless your dad with longevity.
Yes my dad is an amazing role model for many.. and definitely proven that the mind is as important as the body, if not more, for our healthy aging. Thank you so much for your good wishes and blessing ❤️.