Everyone is afraid to die and wants to live longer. Everyone should be interested to learn how to lengthen his life.
As I have a good track record which I wish to share with you. I am nearly 85 years old. As far as I can remember, I have no experience of headache or any sickness. In the last 30 years, I might have a couple of flu or fever. That means that I have been doing all the right things which you should follow to lengthen your lives.
I have an inherited blood condition characterised by higher than normal levels of LDL cholesterol. My mother died at the age of 36 when I was 10 years old. My elder brother died at 42 years.
In 1983 when I was 50 years old, my younger sister and I had a heart bypass surgery done in London because at that time there were only 2 hospitals in the world that could perform heart bypass surgery, one was Harley Street Clinic, London and the other was Mayo Clinic USA which had just invented the heart/lung machine. Unfortunately, my sister died about 3 years after her heart operation.
Many people including Cardiologist Dr lee Boon Chye and heart surgent Dr Koh Chung Sen of Ipoh Specialist Hospital wanted to know how I can live so long after my heart bypass surgery in 1983 especially with the inherited blood problem.
When I wake up in the morning, I drink 2 glasses of water and eat half a pineapple on an empty stomach. I drink a cup of coffee and I do not eat anything until lunch time. I always drink more water than I really require.
I always remember to eat to live and not live to eat. I do not over eat. I avoid sugar and I eat very little rice. I prefer to eat fish and vegetables.
This is what I do for my physical health:
- Every day I walk for around 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening. When there is rain, I walk about in my house.
- Physical movement will reduce stress which can shorten my life. As I spend most of my time on the computer, reading, writing or watching the stock market or TV, I must not sit down for more than one hour at a time. I must stand up and walk a few steps.
- I have developed a habit of taking a few deep breaths whenever I remember. I can do it at any time, while sitting, driving or waiting for something. I always take a few deep breaths before I go to sleep.
- When I wake up I usually drink 2 glasses of water. I eat only fruits and drink a cup of coffee for breakfast. Pineapple is my favourite fruit. I do not eat anything until lunch. In between I may drink some water so that I can keep my weight down.
- After my lunch, I have a nap for about an hour. I drink a glass of wine or any alcohol before I sleep every night. Alcohol will improve blood circulation and reduce stress.
- At my age, I cannot do much physical exercise. I have a masseur who comes to my house to give a full body massage 3 times a week.
This is what I do for my mental health:
Always keep your mind occupied by reading, writing, playing computer, managing my share investment or watching TV. This will slow down the loss of memory.
- Although I have completely retired from executive work as a company director for which I was paid, I am now working harder and longer hours than before. I find working is the most wonderful entertainment and I enjoy doing what I am doing.
- After having lived for so long, I accept human weaknesses and forgive those who irritate me. Why should I feel angry just because someone misbehaves? I have only a few close friends and they do not judge me.
- Take a short holiday frequently. Occasionally go for a longer vacation for a change of environment.
- I must mention my wife’s important contribution. She takes care of my daily needs without which I would not have lived so long.
- I love my wife, I love myself and people in general. I enjoy all the good things in life.
- I also love music because it keeps me calm and smoothen my life. I think it also keeps my blood pressure down.
- Blood pressure is very important. I frequently see my doctor to check and control my blood pressure to prevent stroke and heart attack.
Attitude: How to be happy
My wife and all the people close to me can vouch that I am always happy. I always try to create happiness. I must always remember that when I die I cannot take anything with me. I will spend almost all my wealth to help poor and needy people. I concentrate my charity in helping poor students to complete their tertiary education. I believe education is the best way to help poor families.
Those students whose family income is less than Rm 3,000 per month can write to my wife who is in charge of my charity. Her email address is: [email protected]. I have given scholarships to more than 300 poor students.
All my scholarship recipients do not need to repay the money I spent on them. Instead, they have to promise me that when they are in a good financial position, they must remember that I helped them when they needed, they must help other poor students.
I will die happily knowing that this chain effect will create more and more charity workers and the world will be a better place.
The key to my happiness is kindness and compassion:
You are in full control of your life. Every day you can choose either to be happy or sad. One very easy way to be happy is to appreciate what you already have and that you do not need any more. Always count your blessings.
Remember our ultimate in life is happiness. Studies have shown that happy people can live longer.
