Giving you a little view of Japan without leaving your home!

Prayer letters, curious subjects, events, people, customs, and more for you to enjoy and learn.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

FOR LONG LIFE, BE HAPPY


105 Years Old, Saburo Shochi Came to Vancouver during his Lecture around the World
Shochi, who was born on Aug. 16, 1906, has traveled around the world at least seven times, with six of the seven tours made after he turned 100.  Wearing his signature silk hat and a bright red cloak, 106-year-old Saburo Shochi cut a fine figure when he arrived at the Best Dresser Awards at a Tokyo hotel in November 2012. He whipped off his cloak to reveal a striking yellow jacket.

Asked about the secret behind his dandyism, Shochi answered, “Changing clothes every day,” a comment that brought a chuckle from the ceremony participants.

Many people who live long lives look happy. According to a recent study, happiness is the key to longevity. Shochi, a pedagogy specialist, is living proof that being cheerful and positive leads to a long, healthy life.

Last summer, Shochi went on a 32-day speaking tour of nine countries, including the United States, South Africa and Russia. His trip was all the more remarkable because it earned him recognition as a Guinness World Record holder as the oldest person to have completed a round-the-world trip via public transportation.

During the tour, Shochi smiled and greeted people in their local language. He was warmly received and dubbed a ‘handsome boy’. “If you keep smiling, people around you smile, and everything goes smoothly,” he said.

Prof. Kazuo Tsubota, an anti-aging researcher, interviews people of 100 and older and observes that all of them are cheerful, positive and seem content overall. He recommends writing down three good things that happen each day before one goes to sleep. Doing so will make the writer even happier!
Source: Yomiuri News

If you have happiness on this earth you have nothing at all.

  So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: 
also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun  .Ecclesiastes 2:9-11
Our lifetime on earth is as short as a breath, but eternity is forever. Happiness is fine for a short time and a good way to be healthy but opt for joy that lasts into eternity and in turn have joy that is always a part of good health even when you aren't really happy!

 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.   Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:2, 3

Salvation is for eternity and also gives you happiness and joy while you live on earth!! 
We hope Mr. Shochi also finds true joy!

No comments: