Look for the silver lining…Look for the lesson…Embrace life fully…Love fully…and celebrate who joins you along the journey. And don’t forget to spend your energy wildly!

I wanted to return to the secrets of our 103-year-old doctor, Gladys McGarey. She has a beautiful perspective on life and shows us how we can fully embrace every part of it. She reminds us that it really is about perspective. We can either see a glass half full or half empty. It is up to us.

In Secret #4, Dr. McGarey explains that we are never truly alone and that we have community and people all around us to support us. This ties into the Blue Zones' emphasis on the importance of connection to community, family, and friends. These connections are the cornerstone of our well-being.

Secret #5 is remembering that everything is our teacher and that lessons can be gleaned from even the most difficult challenges. Sometimes, we need to share our challenges with others to help us see the lessons. It’s our people networks who can help us navigate the lessons. In Okinawa, Japan, an original Blue Zone, Moais (social support groups) are formed in early childhood and become a life-long circle of friends who provide emotional and social support. These groups serve as a sounding board when faced with challenging times.

Finally, Dr. McGarey shares Secret #6 which tells us to spend our energy wildly. Embrace life. Live it fully. In Blue Zones terms, find your purpose! Purpose is a Blue Zones Power 9. Sense of purpose is deeply rooted in the lives of many who live in the original Blue Zones around the world. Having a deep sense of purpose can support a happier and healthier life, adding up to 7 more good years!

As I reflect on Dr. McGarey’s 6 secrets I am reminded to keep things simple. Sometimes, we tend to overcomplicate and overthink solutions to better health and well-being. The answers are not in the most popular trend or fashion or the next fad diet. The answers aren’t in material and superficial things at all, but they ARE right in front of us. We can find our answers to better health and well-being in our connections with others, our sense of purpose, and our sense of belonging. Add some natural movement and a few more veggies and you have a winning well-being recipe!

In closing, a reminder to myself and maybe to you too…Look for the silver lining…Look for the lesson…Embrace life fully….Love fully…and celebrate who joins you along the journey. And don’t forget to spend your energy wildly!

If you would like to read more about Dr. McGarey’s book you can get your copy here.