by admin | 11 Oct, 2024 | Andrew's Blog, Joyful Longevity
In his book The Magic of Thinking Big, the author David Schwartz discusses three of the greatest excuses people use that prevent them from living their best life possible. One of them is what he refers to as age excusitis. So many people are concerned with their age and use it as an excuse not to try things, start things, or persist with things. Particularly those who are moving further along the chronological age spectrum. As I have just turned 60, I have decided that I am not old, I am ready.
During the week, I got a letter in the mail that confronted and excited me at the same time. That letter was from the Victorian Government and contained my seniors card. Why did that confront me? I looked at the word senior, which is short for senior citizen. In my mind, I tried to compute that and could not. I do not associate myself with the picture of a senior citizen I visualised. I wrestled with that for a while, before the excitement started to kick in. Why was I excited? Because I now get lots of cool discounts on all sorts of stuff for doing nothing but living to 60 and beyond. How cool is that?
In fact, I was out with some mates the other night and was dismayed as I tried to use my senior’s card for the first time, and it was not accepted at the hotel we were eating at. D’oh! Oh well, the time will come, and I will celebrate wildly when it happens. So, as you can imagine, I have spent time reflecting since clocking over the 60-year mark, and I have finally come to the conclusion that I am not old, I am ready. Ready for what? Ready for whatever comes. Ready to live, ready to love, ready to explore, ready for adventure, ready to learn, ready to help, ready to inspire, and ready to use the wisdom I have accumulated over my six decades on this planet to fulfill my mission in life.
The greatest thing about being sixty, is sixty years of life. Sixty years of fun, achievements, lessons, heartbreak, poor choices, opportunities, relationships, personal growth, and experiences that have shaped the man I am today. Certainly, still a work-in-progress, but one with perspective and wisdom that I know will help me as I embrace the next sixty years of life. Yes, that takes me to 120, I know. Why not? There is so much to do here, and I want to stay for as long as I can, making a difference for the time I am upright looking down at the grass. I am so ready and excited for what life has for me moving forward. And I get discounts as well. How great is that?
Each minute, each hour, each day, and each year you are getting chronologically older. That is true. It doesn’t have to be a bad thing or a barrier if instead of getting older, you are getting more expectant and ready for the wonders that await you. Each day you and I live there will be an opportunity to do something that will make you or another person smile. Each day, you will be confronted by something that will teach you a valuable lesson to enhance your experience of life. Each day you and I are getting more ready for what will come your way on a continual basis. Rather than shy away from ageing, embrace it and use it to expand and develop your readiness for great things.
In my podcast this week called Small wins, I speak with the ageless Fred Liberatore. Fred, a successful bodybuilder, trainer, author, and speaker, declared that it was his mother, aged well into her 90’s, who is his mentor in life. As he moves towards his 60 years of age in his own life, he is continually living every day, and enjoying the small wins, to be the best he can be and have the greatest impact on as many lives as he can have.
Age is a number only. How you live and what you focus on will determine the longevity you will enjoy. Embrace each day that passes and another deposit into your wisdom, personal development, and experiences bank. As you move along the chronological scale in your journey of life, just know, you are not getting old, you are getting more ready. Value each day you have, and don’t let one slip past where you can’t find gratitude for what you did, what you learned, or how you impacted another life. Be ready for the best of the rest of your life.
by admin | 28 Sep, 2024 | Andrew's Blog, Joyful Longevity
As I am writing this blog, I am sitting on a plane heading home from Bali after a wonderful holiday and celebration of my 60th birthday. There is always a little feeling of sadness each time I leave Bali, but I am also excited to start on the next phase of this wonderful adventure called life. One of the great things I learned on this trip was to just let it be.
One of the main reasons for my trip, in addition to celebrating a significant milestone, was to hang out with my favorite ex-wife, Laura. Yes, I have more than one. We have decided that the love and friendship we have for each other is worthy enough for us being in each other’s lives.
On the day before my birthday, Laura and I had been out for dinner, and were just watching a movie, when Laura said, ‘I’ll hang out with you until midnight, so we can celebrate your birthday.’ At this point, it was about 9:30pm and I thought to myself, ‘there’s no way I’ll make it to midnight!’
Then I remembered, I was born on the stroke of midnight between the 19th and 20th of September. Bali is two hours behind Melbourne. So in fact, midnight in Melbourne is only 10pm in Bali. I said to Laura, ‘Actually I turn sixty in 30 mins.’ She said, ‘okay then, get ready we’re going out to celebrate.’ We got ready very quickly, because time was ticking (as it does), and we headed out to find a restaurant with live music.
At 9:55 we found one. We ordered drinks and very quickly 10pm Bali time (midnight Melbourne time) struck. Just like that, I was 60 years old. We celebrated, the band played ‘happy birthday’ and kept on playing as we sang and danced along with them. They started performing the song Let it be by the Beatles, and as we were singing along, all of a sudden it hit me like a ton of bricks… I’m actually 60!
I slumped over, hands on my knees, hyperventilating and saying, ‘I can’t believe it, I am sixty. Sixty! How did that happen?’ just as I was hunched over in this position, the band started singing the chorus. Laura came over and tapped me on the shoulder. I looked up at her and she started singing to me, ‘Let it be, let it be, let it be, oh let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.’
We both started laughing and, just like that, I had let it be. I was over it, and we enjoyed the rest of the night. Right now, several days later as I have reflected on being sixty, the truth is, it is what it is and, it is how old I am, no matter what I think about it. So really, ‘let it be’ was the best advice I could have got in that moment. So, thanks Beatles, and thanks Laura for reminding me.
Now, over to you. What are you worrying about that you should just let be? When we worry about things over which we have no control, we steal from ourselves. We steal joy, we steal health, we steal creativity, we steal the moment we are in, and really, we steal the precious time we have on this planet. When you can let those things be, you will find wonder and amazement in everything you will open the door to enjoy.
In my podcast this week with Jonathan Marion, called Steps along the way, we discuss exactly how to let go of the wrong things and focus on what’s most important. It is a great conversation I encourage you to listen to. As I get back to life in Australia, I bring this memory and lesson with me. I hope that in the important and relevant areas you can just let it be.
by admin | 31 Aug, 2024 | Andrew's Blog, Joyful Longevity
In the quick-fix, fast-paced, and immediate-action world we currently live in, many people who buy into it, are finding themselves faced with more and more challenges. The reality is that reacting costs us and responding pays us. So, with that in mind I want to encourage you to go for the pause that pays.
When I say reacting costs us, I wonder if you know what I am talking about. When you react to the perceived glitz and glamour of the gambling industry, it can cost way more than you have to spend. When you react to emotion in a relationship scenario, it can cost that relationship, or damage it significantly. When you react to a health scare and take a medication or a quick-fix option, it can be at even greater cost to your wellbeing. We have all experienced one or more of these situations, and others, and probably regret the ill-considered decision that led to the loss. Am I right? That being the case, please pay close attention to the pause that pays.
I may come across as someone with incredible emotional maturity and easily able to handle all situations with grace and ease. Ha! I wish! This is still something I struggle with every day. The battle between responding verses reacting confronts me each day I live. There are days I am grateful for the pause that pays, and other times when I suffer the cost of a reaction that ruins. This was a good week for me as a was able to pause before I let my emotions get the better of me and I actually responded in an emotionally mature way. Phew!
I got up one morning last week and did my normal morning routine. Part of that is to check my bank account and track my income and expenses. As I was looking through my credit card transactions, I noticed one from the previous day that was cause for concern. It was not an amount of money I personally paid, for an experience I did not have, at a venue I did not attend. Clearly, in my mind, someone had access to my card and was enjoying themselves at my expense. So, irritated, I rang my bank, they cancelled the card, and then re-issued me a new one. If you have ever cancelled and been re-issued a new card, you will know it is a tedious and time-consuming process. You have to wait for the new card, and then change the details for every service you have set up for automatic payment using that card. I was a little cranky but at least felt safe that no other unauthorised transactions could be made.
In the afternoon, later that day, I received a message from a friend who asked about the card in question, and if it was mine. I had used my card to pay for an experience we had together some time ago and somehow my card had been saved on their account. It was used inadvertently. My friend apologized for the inconvenience. This is where I had to be very careful not to react. In my mind, I was thinking, this would have been information much more useful to me earlier that day, or even better, the day before. As I was considering my response, and very tempted to react, I paused. I thought about what will build and what will erode. If I reacted to my annoyance, I knew it would do damage. However, if I paused and responded, I knew it would be different. So, even though it was hard at the time, I knew it was an honest mistake. I thought about how I would want to be responded to if the roles were reversed and I messaged, these things happen, thanks for letting me know.
As I reflect on this now, several days later, I am so grateful for my response. The pause really paid, as I kept the relationship intact, and I felt good about myself. So, as you move ahead into your day, I want to suggest that, as hard as it may be to withhold the reaction based on how you are feeling in the moment, you will be far better off if you pause, breathe, and think about the consequences. Then respond in a way you would want to be responded to or in a way that will pay off in your life. Angry and want to eat a donut? If you pause, reflect, breathe, and think about the consequences, there is a far better chance you will respond in a healthy way that pays. Feeling helpless and in need of money and tempted to gamble? If you pause, reflect, breathe, and think about the consequences, there is a far better chance you will respond in a way that will be far more profitable in the long-term.
No matter what emotion you experience, and what you are tempted to do, if you pause to think about which decision will enhance your life, and which will destroy it, I hope it helps you make a better decision. In my podcast this week with the magnificent Perry Venakis called, Choice is your legacy, we discuss the many choices we get to make about our health and wellbeing, and how each choice creates the legacy we are leaving. When you pause to think about the legacy you want to leave, I hope it helps you make a decision and take action which moves you forward in your life. Make no mistake about it, the pause most definitely pays.
by admin | 17 Aug, 2024 | Andrew's Blog, Joyful Longevity
Have you ever been told to stop being silly? By a parent, a teacher, a boss, a colleague, a friend, or some other overly serious person? It seems to suggest that being silly is a bad thing, that it is a barrier to moving forward in life. Well, what if we thought about being silly from a different perspective? What if instead of being a bad thing, silly was the new smart?
There is an awesome movie you may have seen with Robin Williams, based on the life of Dr Patch Adams. This rebellious medical student went into hospitals, that were dull, depressing, and serious, and started doing silly things to make the patients laugh. His theory was that laughter truly is the best medicine. He was ostracized, criticized, and rejected by many conventional thinking people who believed his ideas had no intellectual basis. Well, his life, work, and results reflect how right he was and how true it is that silliness and laughter can heal. It sounds pretty smart to me. So maybe silly really is the new smart.
Speaking of hospitals, I was at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne recently to meet up with a friend. Why we chose a hospital to meet, I am not really sure, but I am glad we did. As soon as I walked in, I smiled. In the main entrance area was this wonderful and massive colourful floor-to-ceiling creature that looked part ant, part caterpillar, part monkey, part silly, and large part fun. It was awesome. My first thought was, why is this kind of amazing fun decorative piece restricted to a children’s hospital? Why isn’t something like this in every hospital instead of the drab grey, somber faces, and depressing feeling that permeates most medical institutions. Did we learn nothing from Patch Adams? I do not want to diminish the seriousness of disease, however, I know there would be less sickness, more healing, and more joy, if hospitals, and all other institutions, would buy into this silliness and laughter concept.
Patch Adams said:
Remember laughing? Laughter enhances the blood flow to the body’s extremities and improves cardiovascular function. Laughter releases endorphins and other natural mood elevating and pain-killing chemicals, improves the transfer of oxygen and nutrients to internal organs. Laughter boosts the immune system and helps the body fight off disease, cancer cells as well as viral, bacterial and other infections. Being happy is the best cure of all diseases!
If it seems that the smart money is on silliness, why are we so serious? It’s a big question and there are lots of possible reasons. Rather than reflect on the reasons I am too serious too often, and you may be the same, I would like to suggest that we look at how we add some silliness into life as a part of our health, happiness, and abundance strategy. Let’s face it, who would you rather hang out with, the person who is always serious, at times cranky, and often looking for the problems, or the person who lightens the mood, loves silliness, and makes you laugh? If you chose the first option, then I believe this is not the blog for you.
How can you start adding silly into your day? The first thing I do is schedule silliness into my day. It may be 5 minutes, 15 minutes, or more, but add it to the calendar and treat it as an important appointment. In that time, you can watch video clips or shows that make you laugh. Here is a 6 minute one I love, with comedian Bob Newhart, called ‘Stop it’; Click here. You could identify a person in your life who makes you laugh and talk to that person on a regular basis. You could be that person for someone else, and if that is a challenge for you, find some silly jokes you could tell. If people don’t laugh at the jokes, they will definitely laugh at your attempts to be funny. You could wear funny hats, socks, wigs, or colourful clothes. If you are unsure about how to be sillier, ask your children, or somebody else’s children if you don’t have your own.
Interestingly, just as I was writing this blog, I spoke to a friend and told her about this week’s topic. She is someone I love because of the joy she spreads in the world. She had just gone and got 100 stickers printed with big smiling faces on them. As she goes about her day and interacts with people, if she feels they could do with some joy, she gives them a smiley face sticker, and sure enough, it makes their day. Can you see how simple it is to bring silliness, smiles, and laughter into the world?
There are so many things you can do in your home, your workplace, your club, and your community that can add super smart silliness and laughter. Just make sure it is respectful and not at the expense of someone else’s feelings. If you actually believed that silly is the new smart, and it could significantly improve your life, would you find ways to be sillier? Of course you would, as would I. So, make a vow that from today onwards, you will schedule silliness into your daily life, because it truly is the new smart.
by admin | 9 Aug, 2024 | Andrew's Blog, Joyful Longevity
There is a very big difference between our heart and our head. That may sound like it is stating something very obvious. I am, however, not just talking about their relative positions in the body, and the different physiological roles they play. I am talking about where we primarily operate from in terms of the decisions we make and how we live our lives. In your life, which has led you to joy and passion most effectively, spending time in your head, or in your heart? We all know the answer to that, so my question is; what is in your heart?
There is a devastating condition which is the greatest dream killer and robber of a purposeful life, and it is called stuck-in-my-head-itis. Yes, it really is a condition, just check a medical dictionary!! Have you ever thought of an idea, had a dream, set a goal, envisioned something better for your life, got really excited, and then moved out of your heart and back into your head? What happened next? Did you over-analyse, weigh up the pros and cons, think of all the reasons why it was not a great idea and why it may be too hard to do, and then talk yourself out of it? If you did, you will join many other people who have also suffered from stuck-in-my-head-itis.
I was honoured recently to be invited by my friend Andreea to come and see the artwork she had created that was showing at an exhibition. As I walked around the exhibition, there were many paintings and works of art by many different artists, and then I came to hers. It was amazing. One in particular (the one in the photo) I stared at for an extended period, because I loved it. I looked at all of her work and was incredibly impressed. As she was explaining the inspiration behind each piece I could see the passion in her eyes and hear it in her voice. She is undoubtedly an artist in her heart and soul.
I asked how long she had been painting for, she told me that she had only just started again after a break of 27 years. Yes, you read that correctly, 27 years. Now she was painting again, I could see how happy she was, how inspired she was, and how much more meaning she had in her life. So, why, when it is something so meaningful for her, did she put it ‘on the back burner’ for so long, until now? As I asked her, I could see and hear her getting emotional. There had been some trauma in her life, triggered by painting, so to avoid it, she stopped altogether. What was happening in her head was holding her back from doing what was so deeply embedded in her heart. When she finally started painting again, she felt free and passionate and is very glad she is back doing it again. Trust me, she is great at it. Check out her Instagram page to see what I mean.
What do you currently have sitting on the ‘back-burner’, that is really a heart-felt passion for you? Why is it on the ‘back-burner’? Why have you decided it is not something you could or should do? And, now for the most important question I will ask. If you never get to it, will there be deep regret? Maybe you will never know it is something you would regret until you actually do it and then think, I am so glad I followed through, or I would definitely have regretted it.
I can tell you, being an author is something I would definitely regret if I never did it knowing now how amazing my life is as a result of actually following through. Although if I never did it, I would not know that I would regret that decision, because I would not know what I missed out on. So, you may not know if you would regret not doing something if you don’t do it. Does that make any sense? Therefore, my strongest advice is to not take any chances. Get out of your head, into your heart, and just do it. Then you will know for sure. The second worse thing after regret, is wondering what could have been if I just stopped overthinking and gave it a go.
In my wonderfully optimistic podcast this week called Be right or be happy, I speak with Ed Doherty. Ed is a 73-year-old champion who never let his head get in the way of his heart. Some of the experiences he discusses, and what he achieved because of his passion and the decision to just give things a go will delight and inspire you.
You are on this planet for a unique purpose, and that purpose is residing in your heart, not your head. Don’t let it stay buried. Don’t over-think it. Don’t logic your way out of it. Instead, feel it deeply, and before you return back into your head, act on it. What is really in your heart? That is the real you. It is your mission on earth to let your greatness shine and allow what is in your heart to see the light of day, flourish, and then fly.
by admin | 3 Aug, 2024 | Andrew's Blog, Joyful Longevity
I have to admit, I have a history of killing plants. Not deliberately, I actually love plants. It is just through lack of knowledge, and if I am being honest, lack of attention. When I moved into my new home, I was gifted three beautiful pot plants which I nervously placed in the planter-box on my decking. Within about two weeks, they went to pot plant heaven. So, I was understandably uncertain when recently gifted a pot plant that had to come home with me on a tram.
So, you may be asking two questions. How did I end up with a pot plant on a tram? How can I possibly write a blog about it? Those are great questions. Let me answer them for you. In regard to the first question, during the week I attended a book launch in the city. Two wonderful clients of mine, Sue Wong and Justin Robinson, had just published their book, My Manifesto, and I was honoured to attend. I didn’t want to drive and try to park in the city, so I decided to take the tram. It was a wonderful and inspiring event. Towards the end they started acknowledging people who had helped them on the journey. As I was one of them, they were kind enough to acknowledge me and present me with a beautiful pot plant. As I was receiving it, I was extremely grateful for the gesture, and in my mind came the thought, I wish I had driven.
The answer to the second question came as I left the book launch with pot plant in hand to head to the closest tram stop and, it was reinforced all the way home. It’s amazing how such a simple thing like a pot plant can bring a smile to people’s faces. As I walked through Melbourne city, it was curious as to how many people looked at the pot plant, looked at me and then smiled. As I got to the tram stop, there was a guy there who even started laughing at me. He was either drunk or affected by some substance and thought my carrying a pot plant was the funniest thing he had seen in a long time. I was glad I could be of such amusement to him.
Then I stepped on the tram for my 30 to 40-minute trip home, holding lovingly onto my newest family member. When I received it, I wasn’t sure if I really wanted the pot plant, because my track record for keeping plants alive was poor. However, the more I saw how this plant impacted the people around me, the more I was getting emotionally connected to it. Each time someone got on the tram and saw me, they smiled, and by the time I got to the place I needed to get off the tram I felt mixed emotions. Sadly I had to get off, and at the same time joy-filled and grateful that, with something so simple, I could bring a touch of joy into the lives of others.
So, you may be asking, what is the point? The point is a simple but powerful one. It takes very little effort at all to make other people smile, and when you do, you will feel a wave of joy flow through you. That feeling you are experiencing represents many things. It represents the power you have to affect lives. It represents the infectious impact of a smile. It represents the beauty that lies in the simple things in life. It represents the health and wellbeing that can be gained when we give to others. It represents the ripple effect that your giving will begin and continue forever. The pot plant on the tram is a mighty metaphor for joy, wellbeing, and meaning in life.
In my podcast this week called Cross the bridge, I speak with the incredible Seth Gehle. How he was able to find purpose and meaning in a young life full of abuse and challenges, is a testament to his resilience and his capacity to find good, live a life of purpose, and share it with others. This is a very inspiring podcast I want to encourage you to listen to.
It’s a new day. I am not sure what is happening in your life as you read this. What I do know is that there is a ‘pot plant on a tram’ opportunity for you today. As you talk to people, interact with people, and go about your day, look for any opportunity to make people smile. It may just be you smiling at them and saying ‘hi’. It may be because of the cheerful clothes you choose to wear. It may be because you decide to sing your favorite song out loud as you walk along. It may be because you find a reason to genuinely compliment someone. It may be because you are inspired to get a pot plant and take it on a tram.
Amazingly, when you do these incredibly simple things, as much as you will make others smile and hopefully lift them out of a dark place they may be in, it will do more for your mood, your mindset and your wellbeing than you can possibly imagine. I look forward to hearing all about your ‘pot plant on a tram’ experience.
