Live it Up!
The ‘100-year life,’ by Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott is a very interesting read though I did not fully read it and fully understand the concepts that were discussed. However, when considering the concept of living longer and the challenges that comes with it, I do feel the importance of making wise choices regardless of how many years one will be given. It would be a wise decision to be safe than to be sorry if not prepared for the future. As the saying goes, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” [1] The authors give the kind of words of warning in the introduction,
“We are in the midst of an extraordinary transition that few of us are prepared for. If we get it right, it will be a real gift; to ignore and fail to prepare will be a curse. Just as globalization and technology changed how people lived and worked, so over the coming years increasing longevity will do the same.” [2]
Personally, in a sense, the book sounds like it is prophesying about the future of society and of mankind, which is kind of uncomfortable. In Chapter 1, Living the Gift of a Long Life, “But look at Figure 1.1 – in the year 2107, being a centenarian will no longer be a rarity. In fact, it will be a norm, and considerably more than half of those 8-year-olds you know will still be alive.” [3]
FIGURE 1.1 Oldest age at which 50% of babies born in 2007 are predicted to still be alive.
It may be the results of improvement in technology and the advancement in the medical that has the positive effect on the longevity of one’s life that is illustrated by the Fig, 1.1. Does this mean that has time goes on the longevity is to keep increasing? The working-outs can be convincing and beautiful, but does this mean that it will actually happen? This reminds of Tim Harford, ‘How to Make the World Add Up,’ where he outlines his 10 golden rules about dealing with statistics and data.[4]
Psalms 90:10 – “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and fly away.” [5] How would we reconcile the concept we read in light of what the Psalmist declared? Is this figurative? Or does this mean that the longevity is cursed and decreasing, since before this time, the life expectancy is longer? It seems to be from being more years to lesser years.
One of the many take away from this reading for myself is that my main responsibility to myself which is to keep it maintained and upgraded regardless of how long I think I would live! I never imagined myself to be a centenarian, but my goal is to be grateful and make use of what given. But to be personally responsible, it is not a bad idea to fall back on this advice,
“A life well lived requires careful planning in order to balance the financial and the non-financial, the economic and the psychological, the rational and the emotional. Getting your finances right is essential to a 100-year life, but money is far from being the most important resource. Family, friendships, mental health and happiness are all crucial components.” [6]
This book is full of wise advice about living our lives here and now. I would like to come back to it and read it thoroughly. For example, I like the chapter on scenarios – ‘the possible selves’ where it gives examples of lives to live or lives that could be lived. It is a book that I would keep in my bookshelves, or my kindle app.
[1] https://www.socratic-method.com/quote-meanings-interpretations/benjamin-franklin-by-failing-to-prepare-you-are-preparing-to-fail-2
[2] Gratton, Lynda; Scott, Andrew J. The 100-Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity (p. 1). Bloomsbury Publishing. Kindle Edition.
[3] Ibid (Chapter 1).
[4] Harford, Tim. How to Make the World Add Up: Ten Rules for Thinking Differently About Numbers. Bridge Street Press.
[5] New International Version. Psalms 90:10.
[6] Gratton, Lynda; Scott, Andrew J. The 100-Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity (p. 5). Bloomsbury Publishing. Kindle Edition.
About the Author
Noel Liemam
14 responses to “Live it Up!”
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Hi Noel, I found your comment about the warning the authors give on page 1 of their book seeming like a prophesy on the future of mankind as uncomfortable was worth considering. However, I have a question that might go beyond what the authors discussed. How do you think a relationship with God might impact of years lived being a blessing or curse? Thanks for your post. It got me thinking in a different direction. Peace.
Hi, Diane, thank you for your comments. It was my personal observation; the authors were trying to give their opinions about the future. And to try to answer your question, I am confident that our God is a faithful God that will not leave us alone in times of need. I also believe that He’s a God that deals in equity, I mean the measure of what is given is the measure of what required. For example, let’s take my people living on the Islands. Most of them do not have or don’t even have any clue what is 401k, Roth IRA, or any retirement plan. But I believe our Almighty God is and will care for their needs.
Thanks Noel! I think how you touch on the importance of gratitude for a long and healthy life. How are you practicing gratitude and inviting others to do the same?
Personally, gratitude is more than a word being said. Gratefulness comes when you see how short and inadequate you are in comparison what has been given to you. When I think of how I am as a helpless and unworthy person is God’s presence, but Jesus died in place not only forgiving my sins but make me a righteous person in God’s presence, that’s the starting point of being gratitude. To try to answer you question, I would say maybe to give and invitation to see how we are, what God has done for us, and the results of His action. Thank you, Ryan, for your comment!
Noel, thanks for your post. It seems that westerners like the idea of a longer life. I wonder about people from other cultures. How would this book be accepted in your own culture?
Hi, Graham, thank you for your comment. Well, Harford speak to fact that statistics and data can be manipulated to the anyone’s interest or bias. I am unqualified to question the statistics and the working out, however, one thing I notice about my people, the Micronesians, currently our mortality rate is getting lower and lower.
Noel,
I enjoyed your post. I like how you brought Hartford into this as a good reminder to be cautious about statistics. What advice would you give to someone that might best prepare them to live to be 100+?
Hi, Jeff, thanks for your comment. On my small Island when we hear about a typhoon approaching, we use this island word, ‘AWES ME TOU,’ which means prepare ahead of time regardless. Whether the typhoon hits, or not, we try to prepare as if it will hit our home.
I believe that would be same with preparing for longevity, whether or not we get there, preparation as if we are going to there would be good. Thanks again Jeff.
Noel,
I enjoyed reading your post. How does Tim Harford’s concept of dealing with statistics and data apply to predictions about increasing life expectancy?
Hi, Shela, thanks for your comments. I was just bringing in Tim Harford since he wrote about being careful about how statistics and data can be manipulated. But to plan for increasing life expectancy and how to live it, is a wise idea regardless.
Noel, do you find the authors’ perspective biased toward life in the United States? How do you see these concepts of longevity influencing your home culture?
Hi, Chad, thank you for your comment. I might say that the concept is relative since setting, cultures and the time.
Currently in the Micronesian region, mortality rate is decreasing. The most popular factor is the changing or morphing of our culture. however, the takeaway would be, ‘to prepare regardless of what you are given, Thanks again, Chad.
Hi Noel, I appreciate you emphasizing the need to be grateful and make the best with what we have. How do you put this into practice in your own life?
HI, Kari. Well, I guess I will just have to live it up! To cherish and enjoy every moment that is given to me. In addition, plan as if I will be among the centenarians. Thank you, Kari!