NEVER OLD

Tips for Keeping Mind & Body Young

By Jesse Anson Dawn

Jesse Anson Dawn (accurately photographed at age 70), author of the national award-winning book Never “Old,” plus The Rejuvenator’s Bible, speaks out about a most stirring subject: how to personally control the unwanted effects of “aging.”

Presently answering the question:

“Dear Jesse, After reading about your fascinating visits with some of the oldest people on Earth, the worldwide journey described in chapter 3 of your latest book, The New Era of Consciousness, I feel compelled to ask you this: since completing that masterpiece, have you discovered any new, amazingly age-defying people that you can share via your Awareness column?”

Dear Reader,

Let us not forget that the road inward (toward one’s Inner-Source) travels as far and deep as the road outward))). And it’s people who take the time to learn ways of perpetuating spirit-linked rejuvenation, they are the ((self-renewing pioneers)))) who I feel most inspired to write about.

For example, recently I’ve been studying the phenomenal vitality of my wife’s father, the 72-year-[“old”] Filipino, Jose Binunag, an amazingly energetic man who resides with us, along with his sweetly vibrant wife (for over 50 years), Honoria.

Yes indeed, every day I give thanks for Jose and Honoria, mainly because they have turned our 1-acre garden into a fruit and vegetable, astoundingly fast-growing paradise. But not only that, Jose has the ability to do what I’m not brave enough to even try: and that is to climb (scarily tall) coconut and papaya trees, whereby he expertly gathers their vitamin-enriched fruits, and then kindly shares them with his grateful family.

However, along with the vital need for physical exercise and a wholesome diet, as my columns and books clearly emphasize, there is the truly rejuvenating effect of ((creative activity)).

And to further verify that, I’m again studying the youthfully vibrant longevity of famous artists such as Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe, Willem de Kooning and Marc Chagall, all of whom painted well into their 90’s, Chagall still doing it at 97, and O’Keeffe steadily painting at 98.

And how can we omit the amazing Grandma Moses, a woman who, at the age of 81, put together the first exhibition of her paintings, and from there on her fame skyrocketed, whereby at the age of 101, she had become the most well-known American artist of all time. And even when she had lived more than a century, she still appeared at worldwide exhibitions of her paintings, events that drew thousands of people, as far and wide, they came to see not only her charming works of art, but also her stunningly ageless vitality.

However, it is important to realize that, not only famous artists evoke the important link between creativity and longevity, but that connection also prevails throughout every strata of society.

For example, there is my wife’s grandmother, Sixta, a Filipina who, even at the age of 109, she was steadily creative, busily weaving various kinds of hats and baskets (made from palm tree leaves), most of which she painted with beautiful designs. And even at the age of 109, those who knew her say that without fail, every day she had the energy to sell her creations at outdoor markets, along with singing about them, attracting customers by chanting little verses that said basically this:

“My hats last a very long time, while they shade you from the hot sunshine, and when it rains, they keep you dry, so come look at my hats, and please don’t pass me by!”

Thus by combining her weaving and painting with daily singing sessions, she developed what came to be called “Sixta’s System of Vibrant Longevity.” And although the [Old Era], strictly drugs and surgery-based medical industry would probably call Sixta’s System “unscientific,” I believe that, due to the amazing ageless-ness that she became known for, she was a TRUE champion of (sustained well being)))

And as to Sixta’s effect on me, after hearing her relatives talk about the healthy effects of her steady creativity, I’ve been inspired to continue my urge to paint landscapes, an especially enjoyable therapy amid the mountain-surrounded, tropical area that I call home.

Yes indeed, ((painting)) a picture is 1000 times more ((spiritually penetrating)) than just looking at a photograph. And ((reading)) truly helpful nonfiction books is 1000 times more beneficial than [TV-pushed illiteracy and violence], which is why schools continue to use books as learning tools.

Therefore, to transcend the {{saddening swamp}} of “main-stream”-ignorance-based programming, along with reading (mind-expanding-books))), making art and singing, writing what I call Positive Thoughts Poetry has a nicely uplifting effect. And as a (hopefully memorable) example of that, this lyrical verse is from my song-poem that hereby signifies this:

EVERYONE IS CREATIVE

regardless of age or “race”—

And to re-create ourselves

is truly a saving grace—

And as for my “race”—

mine is the HUMAN family—

a realm that helps me

increase the peace

by creating UNITY—

But the ultimate creation

is of course HAPPINESS—

wherein we find peace of mind

that duly keeps us BLESSED)))