The Fountain of Youth?

I have interviewed more than 90 people over the age of 100 for my book, 5,000 Years of Wisdom, and one thing I have noticed is that every single one of these people have an incredibly positive mental attitude. Some will tell you that it is the secret to a long life, but all of them agree that happiness and a positive attitude are simply a choice. We either choose to be happy....or unhappy. These people have suffered every hardship you can imagine, poverty, cancer, divorce, the death of spouses and children. But yet, when you ask them about their lives, they're happy. In spite of all the hardships, the struggles, the tragedies.....they're happy. Who knows? After 100 years of living, maybe they're onto something.

Read, enjoy, share....and be happy.

Why do you have such a good attitude?

“Why not have a good attitude? It's just as easy to have a good attitude as a bad attitude.

Attitude is a choice, it's a state of mind. You just have to decide to be happy. You have to decide to have a good attitude.” Gloria Jan Mitchell, 104

“Be happy.....and laugh. To laugh and be happy makes your life longer. That's the most important thing in life. It's not the money or the stuff. It's just that I can live and be happy and try to make somebody else happy out there. I want them to feel good about themselves. I'm looking to make other people happy like me. I tell people I am the luckiest man alive....and I believe that! I am the luckiest man alive. I wouldn't trade my life for no one. I love my life just like it is. I don't need money; I have everything I need. I just want to be happy.”

Delmar Hopkins, 105

“I try to stay positive. There's people that you're afraid to ask how they are because they're always grumblin' about something. I don't want to be like that. I think your attitude is everything.”

Dorothy Wilson, 100

“I love my life, from the day I was born to the day I'm going to die. I don't know when that's going to be....but not any time soon! I just love life and I enjoy it. Life is what you make it, I think. You have to have a good attitude and keep your spirits up and think good thoughts. You can find something good in everything that happens to you, or you can find something bad. It's your choice.”

Estelle Thompson, 102

“I've had a good life. It's just as sweet as it can be. I never let nothing worry me. If you let things worry you, you'll never get no where. When worry comes on you again and again, that the devil workin' on you....tryin' to get you. You've got to watch the devil. You've got to have a happy life.”

Richard Overton, 109

“You have to find happiness in life, and without the Lord I don't think you can really find happiness. That's where you'll find your peace. I really believe that. It's simple to me now. For 42 years I didn't have peace, now I do. That's Him, only Him.”

Ethel Brockelbank, 102

“I accept life as it comes. I realize that I can't always be happy, but I try to make the best of it. I've always taken the view that things could always be worse than what I'm in, but I don't worry about it. I take care of what I can, and what I can't take care of, to hell with it. (laughs) My philosophy is pretty simple. Take life as it comes, and enjoy it for what it is. I think what's kept me going is my attitude about life.....otherwise I'm sure I'd be dead by now. Philosophically, I take a positive look on life. You know, I've had some very happy moments and some very, very sad moments but they're part of life. I accept what comes and do the best I can with it. I'm very content with what's happened to me and what's coming to me. I'm not worried what's going to happen to me tomorrow. Today is today, period. What happened yesterday, happened. Some was good, some not so good, but that's that. It happened and I can't change it. I'm fortunate to still be here, but if I drop dead tomorrow, I'll be smiling five minutes before (laughing)! Life has been good, and it continues to be good.... right down to the last minute.”

Frank Hurst, 100

“Life itself is a gift, okay? And you should treat it as such. It's your responsibility to appreciate and to take that gift and do the best you can with it. That would include all the facets of living....you could write a book almost, on all the requirements. I just think you accept the work and the fun and the responsibilities of life and enjoy it.” Lt. Col Richard Cole, 100

“Life is wonderful. It's beautiful. It's just beautiful. I’m having the time of my life. And I think happiness and a good attitude helps. I try to be happy all the time. It's all in the way you think about life. Unhappy people make themselves unhappy. It’s just as easy to be happy instead. You know, you can't worry about everything because you're going to have ups and downs all through life. That’s just the way life is. Take it from me, I'll be 107, and I know.”

Ida Mae Wilson, 106

“Don't Worry, Be Happy”

Bobby McFerrin