Longevity - what's it worth?

A Stodghill Says So blog (the 450th):

A man named Don Buetiner has traveled the world seeking out places where people live the longest. He has written a book about it and although I haven't read it, the advice seems to be the usual stuff about eating, exercising and so forth.
This poses a question: Does quantity take precedent over quality? My answer is no. That comes despite the fact that through no effort on my part I am in the middle years of being an octogenarian. I could cite a few dozen reasons why I feel that way but they are summed up in the final three sentences of Jack London's Creed: "The proper function of man is to live. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time."
Jack London died a relatively young man, but he indeed lived. His writing serves as a testament to that.
There was another writer, my late friend Ross Spencer, who felt the same way. After a heart attack the doctors told him what he must do. He listened, then said, "I'd rather live one day my way than ten years your way."
He lived eighteen with a cigar in his mouth and a drink in his hand. Like Jack London, Spence will be remembered for the beautiful writing he left for the world to enjoy.
Buetiner has selected Albert Lea, Minnesota as the town where he will attempt to have everyone live as he says with the goal of longevity. But is that what life should be about? Is living each day with the aim of adding more days to your lifespan that important? Or was Jack London right? Was Ross Spencer right?
I'll go along with Jack and Spence. One good day is better than ten average years, at least in my opinion. I've broken every rule along the way and still have a pipe in my mouth most waking hours, take a drink whenever the desire hits me and get most of my exercise by walking from my desk to the dining room for lunch. Using my time is far more important than prolonging my time. That's the way it always has been and continues to be. Most of my friends who believed otherwise now spend their days in a cemetery.

Dick,

You are so right. I think we are over-scrutinzed now a days. Our cholesterol, weight, exercise, blood presure, blood sugar--ad naseum.

I know of people with perfect blood pressure, weight and cholesterol who had heart attacks.

I have known folks who spent every waking moment on their health. The more they fussed with it--the worse it got

Reasonable care is one thing--obsession is another.

Your pipe smoking probably helps you stay so mentally alert.
The drink is good for relaxing you.

I wish I could have had a glass of wine at bedtime rather than the benzos.

I agree with both of you. I have a friend who has sent me every dire warning about getting cancer from using aspertane to microwaving in paper cups. I have cancer. I need no dire warnings. I have no idea why I got it—twice. I even ate lots of broccoli.

But I have had a great life and every day is a blessing and a gift. Getting real sick now and then is a real bummer, but I always again join the ranks of the living and have more fun than ever. Those times are just reminders of the need to enjoy every day.

I love wine, don't like exercise except walking, have never been overweight, love chocolate and ice cream. I guess none of those helped keep cancer away, but I'm not going to change any of them.

We don't have to have years of life, but life in our years.

Love, Carol

Don't take life seriously--NO ONE GETS OUT ALIVE!


Some people live in constant misery--trying to live longer.

I figure I've been on borrowed time for the last forty years anyway so why change now!

Ditto.
Quality is better than quantity.

"Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow....."

For you, Marie, we may make an exception.

Well, Dick, How about me?

You didn't ask.

Neither did I. I have more sense.

Me, I take every day I can get. Bad, good, really crappy.
I have no misconceptions about the finality of the ending.
A person has a little control over the attitude for each day. It matters not what circumstances are, it is the outlook that colors the time here on this earth. You can pick the color.
I do not mean that you can ignore what is happening and go around willy-nilly with a smile on your face.

No.

Love,
Betty

Neither did Marie.

I suspect, age, looks and size discriinaton are at work here . We can add brains, writing ability, and charm too.

I protest.

Who is We?

Just curious?

Would I be influenced by such things?[/b]

It appears 'We' would.

We cry when we are born...I have never seen anyone cry when they die...maybe that says something.

I'd like to live a long time; often thought I'd like to make 100, but I also want to have a life now.

I totally agree with..