My Great Aunt Mary is someone who I’ve always admired.
Last week, she celebrated her 89th birthday. Despite her advanced age, she has no health problems and takes no medication . She’s trim, technologically savvy and active in about a million church and social groups around the town of Howell, Michigan where she lives. She travels all over the world and her quick wit and easy laugh are legendary.
During a birthday phone call, my mom asked her what she thought her secret was to living such a long, happy and healthful life. Was it the two Manhattans she drinks every afternoon at 4pm on the dot? Mary thought a moment, then said, “I never worry about anything for more than five minutes.”
In our 21st century craziness, that advice might seem unrealistic. But then I thought about all the things Mary has been through. The Depression, World War Two (which her husband fought in), giving birth to and raising two children, caring for her husband through a long illness, and then dealing with his passing. None of these are small worries, and yet she didn’t – and still doesn’t – sweat it.
I thought about her today when I had a frantic moment wishing for a new job and wondering when I would find one and tried her strategy. I stressed and fretted for five whole minutes, then moved on to a task in which I felt less powerless. And this evening, I feel a lot more mellow. I haven’t swept my problem under the rug, but I’ve put it in it’s place.
So thank you, Great Aunt Mary, for some really fabulous advice. I hope it brings me as much success and fortitude as it brought you.
Now, on to experimenting with the benefits of those afternoon Manhattans….
–Posted by C.
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