I've Decided to Live 120 Years

1. Choose to Live 120 Years: Embrace Longevity as a Gift

"I've decided to live to 120 years of age."

Embrace longevity. This bold declaration is not about guaranteeing a specific lifespan, but about adopting a mindset that views extended life as an opportunity for growth, purpose, and contribution. By making this conscious choice, you reframe your perspective on aging, seeing it not as a decline but as a journey towards completion.

Design your later years. With increased life expectancy, many people now have 20 to 40 years of life after traditional retirement age. This "second half" of life offers unprecedented opportunities for personal development, creativity, and social contribution. By actively designing this phase, you can:

• Develop new skills and pursue long-held passions
• Deepen relationships and build new connections
• Contribute your wisdom and experience to younger generations
• Engage in meaningful work or volunteering that aligns with your values

2. Redefine Success: Shift from Achievement to Completion

"Success is the paradigm that pervades the first half of life."

Move beyond conventional success. While the first half of life often focuses on external achievements – career advancement, financial stability, and social status – the second half offers an opportunity to pursue deeper, more meaningful goals. This shift involves:

• Reflecting on your true values and what gives your life meaning
• Defining personal growth and spiritual development as measures of success
• Focusing on leaving a positive legacy for future generations

Embrace completion as a new paradigm. Completion goes beyond material success to encompass:

• Inner fulfillment and peace
• Harmonious relationships with others and nature
• A sense of having lived authentically and contributed meaningfully to the world
• Preparation for a peaceful transition at the end of life

3. Cultivate Physical Power: Move Your Body, Energize Your Life

"Physical power is life—just move."

Prioritize movement. Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining health, vitality, and independence as you age. The author emphasizes "opportunistic exercise" – finding ways to incorporate movement throughout your day:

1. One-Minute Exercise: Perform one minute of moderate to vigorous exercise every hour (e.g., push-ups, squats, jumping jacks).
2. Longevity Walking: Focus on proper walking technique, emphasizing parallel feet and pressing through the yongchun point (just below the ball of the foot).
3. Belly Button Healing: Stimulate the navel area to promote gut health and overall well-being.

Benefits of regular movement:

• Improved cardiovascular health and muscle strength
• Enhanced balance and flexibility, reducing fall risk
• Better cognitive function and mood
• Increased energy and vitality

4. Discover New Sources of Happiness: Hongik, Awakening, and Creation

"Old age is a time to find new sources of happiness."

Expand your concept of joy. As you age, shift from happiness based solely on external factors or material pleasures to more profound sources of fulfillment:

1. Hongik (Living for the good of all):

   • Engage in volunteer work or community service
   • Share your skills and wisdom with others
   • Cultivate compassion and empathy

2. Awakening:

   • Deepen your understanding of life's principles through reflection and meditation
   • Cultivate wisdom and insight from your life experiences
   • Embrace a broader, more holistic perspective on life

3. Creation:

   • Pursue creative hobbies or artistic expressions
   • Continuously learn and acquire new skills
   • Find ways to innovate or improve your daily life and surroundings

By cultivating these sources of happiness, you can maintain a sense of purpose, vitality, and joy throughout your later years.

5. Let Go of Attachments: Find Peace in Releasing the Past

"To have peace, you must be free from attachments."

Identify and release attachments. Common attachments that can hinder peace in later life include:

• Material possessions and wealth
• Power, status, and recognition
• Emotional baggage from past relationships or experiences

Practice letting go. Techniques for releasing attachments:

1. Regular self-reflection and meditation
2. Practicing gratitude for what you have rather than focusing on what you lack
3. Cultivating a mindset of impermanence and acceptance of change
4. Forgiving others and yourself for past hurts or mistakes

Benefits of releasing attachments:

• Greater emotional freedom and resilience
• Increased ability to live in the present moment
• More harmonious relationships with others
• A sense of lightness and inner peace

6. Embrace Solitude: Transform Loneliness into Brilliant Solitude

"Don't fear loneliness; accept it. And enjoy solitude."

Reframe solitude. Instead of viewing time alone as a negative experience, see it as an opportunity for:

• Deep self-reflection and personal growth
• Spiritual connection and contemplation
• Creative expression and exploration of interests
• Rest and rejuvenation

Cultivate brilliant solitude. Strategies to transform loneliness into meaningful solitude:

1. Develop a regular meditation or contemplative practice
2. Engage in solo creative pursuits (writing, art, music)
3. Spend time in nature, observing and connecting with the natural world
4. Practice mindfulness in daily activities (eating, walking, household tasks)

Benefits of embracing solitude:

• Increased self-awareness and emotional intelligence
• Greater clarity of thought and decision-making
• Enhanced creativity and problem-solving abilities
• Deeper sense of inner peace and contentment

7. Nourish Your Brain: Feed It Hopes, Dreams, and Positive Messages

"Brains live on dreams. And brains are as active as their dreams allow, no more."

Prioritize brain health. Maintaining cognitive function is crucial for a vibrant later life. Key strategies include:

1. Regular physical exercise
2. Continuous learning and mental stimulation
3. Social engagement and meaningful relationships
4. Proper nutrition and sleep habits

Cultivate positivity and purpose. The brain thrives on hope and meaningful goals:

• Set inspiring, achievable goals for your later years
• Practice positive self-talk and affirmations
• Visualize success and positive outcomes
• Surround yourself with uplifting people and media

Engage in brain-boosting activities:

• Learn a new language or musical instrument
• Take up challenging puzzles or strategy games
• Engage in creative writing or storytelling
• Participate in discussion groups or debate clubs

By keeping your brain active, engaged, and filled with positive stimuli, you can maintain cognitive health and continue growing throughout your later years.

8. Continuously Cultivate Yourself: Never Stop Growing and Learning

"Only you can raise your true value and make your life more precious."

Embrace lifelong learning. Approach your later years with curiosity and a growth mindset:

• Pursue new interests and hobbies
• Take classes or workshops in areas that fascinate you
• Read widely and engage with diverse perspectives
• Seek out challenging experiences that push you out of your comfort zone

Develop a personal growth practice. Strategies for ongoing self-cultivation:

1. Regular self-reflection and journaling
2. Setting and working towards personal development goals
3. Seeking feedback and mentorship from others
4. Practicing mindfulness and self-awareness

Benefits of continuous self-cultivation:

• Increased cognitive flexibility and adaptability
• Greater sense of purpose and fulfillment
• Enhanced resilience in the face of challenges
• Ongoing personal growth and self-discovery

9. Share and Give: Find Fulfillment in Contributing to Others

"The energy of joy in your heart doubles in power when you make other people smile."

Cultivate generosity. Sharing your time, resources, and wisdom can be deeply fulfilling in later life:

• Volunteer for causes you care about
• Mentor younger individuals in your field of expertise
• Share your life stories and lessons with family and community
• Donate to charities or causes that align with your values

Benefits of sharing and giving:

• Increased sense of purpose and meaning
• Stronger social connections and support networks
• Improved mental and emotional well-being
• Positive impact on your community and the world

Find your unique way to contribute. Consider:

• Your skills, knowledge, and life experiences
• Your passions and interests
• The needs of your community or chosen causes
• How you can make the most meaningful impact with your available time and resources

10. Connect with Nature: Harmonize with the Earth's Rhythms

"We have come from nature and return to nature."

Prioritize time in nature. Regular exposure to natural environments can have profound benefits:

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Improved mood and cognitive function
• Enhanced physical health and immune function
• Greater sense of connection and spiritual well-being

Ways to connect with nature:

1. Take daily walks in parks or natural areas
2. Practice outdoor meditation or mindfulness
3. Engage in gardening or plant care
4. Participate in nature conservation efforts

Adopt a nature-centered perspective. Recognize your interconnectedness with the natural world:

• Consider the environmental impact of your choices
• Develop a sense of stewardship for the Earth
• Learn from nature's cycles and rhythms
• Cultivate a sense of awe and wonder for the natural world

11. Become a Mentor: Share Wisdom with the Next Generation

"Enlightened elders were repositories of knowledge—like an encyclopedia or a library."

Embrace your role as an elder. Your life experiences and wisdom are valuable resources for younger generations:

• Share your knowledge and skills through formal or informal mentoring
• Offer guidance and support to family members and community youth
• Participate in intergenerational programs or activities
• Write or record your life stories and lessons learned

Benefits of mentoring:

• Increased sense of purpose and legacy
• Opportunity to pass on cultural and personal wisdom
• Strengthened intergenerational relationships
• Continued personal growth and learning

Develop mentoring skills:

• Practice active listening and empathy
• Cultivate patience and openness to different perspectives
• Focus on empowering others rather than solving their problems
• Continuously reflect on and learn from your mentoring experiences

12. Leave a Better World: Prioritize Environmental Stewardship

"The source of human life is nature. When nature gets sick, humans cannot avoid getting sick, too."

Recognize your environmental impact. Understanding the interconnectedness of human and environmental health is crucial:

• Educate yourself on current environmental challenges
• Assess your personal and household ecological footprint
• Stay informed about local and global environmental issues

Adopt sustainable practices:

1. Reduce waste and embrace recycling
2. Choose environmentally friendly products and services
3. Conserve energy and water in your daily life
4. Support local, organic, and sustainable food sources

Advocate for environmental protection:

• Support environmental organizations and initiatives
• Engage in community environmental projects
• Use your voice and vote to support eco-friendly policies
• Educate others about the importance of environmental stewardship

By prioritizing environmental consciousness in your later years, you contribute to a healthier planet for future generations and align your life with the natural world you are a part of.

Last updated: November 19, 2024