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Common observed traits in those
who live long and satisfied lives:
- Belief in, and daily connection with, the eternal
- Happy octogenarians tended to have a strong spiritual core.
- Belief in themselves and their own abilities
- A common trait seems to be the ability to focus on what they CAN do rather than on their limitations.
- Continual learning
- Most of these people described themselves as "students" of life. Most continued taking classes, reading non-fiction and learning new skills. This was true even of those who lived in extended care facilities.
- A positive disposition
- More than any other common factor, the overwhelming majority of these people thought the glass was "half full."
An active lifestyle
- Even those with limited mobility engaged in some sort of physical exercise on a regular basis.
- Involvement in community activities with people of all ages
- Those studied were friendly, open and involved with a variety of people to whom they were not related.
- A focus on the present
- While alert and happy elders have a sense of history and wisdom to share with the community, the vast majority of study participants were actively engaged in the present and focusing on today and near future projects.
- Conscious choice to be kind
- Nearly all the elders surveyed asked us about ourselves, offered us refreshments, etc. In surveying those around them, we were told repeatedly how caring these people were. Most responded to our survey question that they believed that being kind was a matter of choice rather than natural temperament.
- Sense of purpose
- Seniors who felt they were contributing to the common good tended to live longer and be healthier in both body and mind than their contemporaries.
- Sense of humour & determination
- Repeatedly, surveyors heard variations of the expression, "Old age is not for sissies." Many of the test subjects were practical jokers, and there was a noted difference in the frequency of their laughter as compared with others of similar age. In the words of one 92-year-old man, "Before you die, LIVE!"
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