Longevity, Bird Song, and Gypsy Spirit

Longevity

I read an article by Peter Attia, MD author of Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity that caught me by the gut – it’s a weird thing to say, you are correct, but it feels right. He uses the term Centenarian Decathlon as a “framework to organize patients’ physical aspirations for the later decades of their lives.” He gives patients a list of activities and has them pick ten items that they would like to be able to do when they are 90 or 100 – hike 1.5 miles, pick up a young child, carry your own groceries, have sex, get up off the floor on your own, lift a carry-on bag into the overhead compartment, etc. and he suggests that you train now in order to become that person you want to be when you are in your “marginal decade.” He says we must “wipe away the default assumption that most people will be weak and incapable at that point in their lives” and that “we must stop pointlessly “exercising” and instead start training, with a very specific purpose, which is to be kick-ass 100-year-olds.” I bought his book and it is really fascinating. I feel excited and motivated toward healthy living in a new way. I want to be a kick-ass 100 year old!!

Morning Music

We have been sleeping with the windows open and waking up to the birds. I can’t think of a more peaceful way to wake. It’s a simple thing but it brought me such joy this morning.

My Gypsy Spirit

We bought a house. A beautiful, amazing ‘forever house’ where I see us living for decades. It’s on a lovely property in an amazing town on the outskirts of Asheville. I can walk to a super hippie coffee shop and a public library (two of my favorite things). The kids – for their first time in their lives – have rooms to fill and decorate as their spirits command. Nick has space for a workshop. He’s building me a whole big freestanding recording studio. We are beginning to have a community and I have a group of friends unlike any I have had in my adult life. I could go on – it’s an incredible, outrageous gift.

And also, the house, the roots, the community…a little bit, it haunts my gypsy soul. There are moments that I start to feel some panic or sadness at the seeming permanency of it. My partner Nick, is doing everything in his power to keep the wind blowing so my spirit stays afloat – we will still travel a couple months a year, he parked my trailer/recording space here on the property simply to make me feel more free – it’s magic to have someone who really sees all the parts of you and let’s you be.

Have you thought about what you would still like to be doing in your “marginal decade?”
What is at the top of your list?