Day of Mindfulness

Giving Thanks, Being Lucky

You all know what day it is!

A couple days ago, John Tinniswood of Southport, England passed away.

John was the oldest man alive, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. He was 112.

(The oldest person ever, according to Guinness, by the way, was Jeanne Louise Calment, who lived to be 122)

I had been rooting around for some sort of message or story to tell today, Thanksgiving Day, when I came across John’s story. In pictures, he looks pretty darn good for his age - clear eyed, smiling. The story says he died surrounded by “music and love.” That’s nice. I wonder what music he had on when he died.

Anyway, the reason I wanted to mention John today was because of two things that jumped out at me in the story. First, in a statement, the family wrote that John was “talented at maths.” If that isn’t the most British turn of phrase, well then I don’t know what is.

But the important piece - the one line that really caught me off guard and the reason I’m writing to you today and the thing I want you to take away from today as you sit down with the mash potatoes and cranberry sauce - is this.

John was asked for advice. He was asked how he managed to survive for so long.

His response: “Pure luck.”

Some other advice from John I tracked down includes, “Never exceed what you can normally do.” When asked for some words of wisdom about how to live one’s life, John said that to give such advice would be “impudent” and he suggested that everyone “let each do as they want.” To be fair, John also said that one should have a dinner of fish and chips every Friday.

I mean, that’s some solid advice right here, and really transcendental.

This is all pure luck, though, really - this sitting with family, the fact that if you’re reading this you made it one more year, that you got through it, that it all came together.

The holiday has morphed into some sort of pure thankfulness tradition and sure, being grateful is a good practice. You can’t go wrong with being grateful.

But John goes deeper. John’s mindful. Maybe that’s how he got to 112.

So, today, wherever you are, if you are burning through the holiday alone or with family, whether you want to be there or not, regardless of what you think or feel about the history of why it’s happening, or even if you’re from outside the U.S. and aren’t on holiday, don’t forget, it’s all pure luck.

How remarkable! Look at you! What a miracle!

Dig in today, be mindful and aware. Stay calm. Breathe. Have a nice day and we’ll catch up to you tomorrow for left-overs.

~ Dan & Uma