So often people are afraid of turning a year older, but I’ve been inspired by a couple of people who prove each birthday is something special to celebrate. A few weeks ago, I was talking with my Great Aunt Gen and learned that just a few days after our conversation, she was going to turn 94. Wow! Given that life expectancy in the United States is 78 years, how great is it that she’s 94 and still rockin’! I asked her what she thought helped her get to this great age of 94. She said three things: I never smoked, I didn’t drink much alcohol, and I’ve always tried to stay active.

Years ago, my husband and I lived in California, and the gentleman living across the street – Arlie – was 101 years old at the time. One morning after I drove my husband to his office, I arrived back home about 7:30 am, and I kid you not, Arlie was raking the leaves in our front yard. He also used to bring the empty garbage cans from the street back up to all the neighbors’ houses on garbage days.

My father, who is 78, runs the10K Peachtree Road Race with me every year in Atlanta on the 4th of July – and quite honestly, the guy can run me into the ground – and I’ve done marathons.

Today at a play at my children’s school, I met the mother of a friend of mine, and learned she is 84. I never would have guessed it. My friend said that her mom gets up every day, gets dressed, puts on makeup and her jewelry, and stays active. Eighty four years old, and she is regularly on the golf course.

I’m convinced. I wholeheartedly believe that staying active is one of the keys to living well and living long. Are you convinced? Do you have similar stories? Do you stay active because you think it’s one of the keys to longevity?