Living Long and Living Well

# Living Long and Living Well

According to TODAY.com, Vincent Dransfield, born in 1914, is now 110 years old in 2024. He has never experienced any serious health problems, such as heart disease or cancer, and has only been under anesthesia twice. According to his granddaughter, Erica Lista, he also suffers from no back pain or headaches, still drives his car daily, can "do everything," and lives alone in Little Falls, New Jersey—his hometown for the past 79 years. He has shared six daily habits and longevity tips with the magazine, including an active social life, plenty of physical activity, a flexible diet, and maintaining healthy relationships every day. Below are the six things this 110-year-old man has shared. (1)

## 1. Drink Milk Every Day

Mr. Dransfield started working at a dairy farm at age 15 for five years. This gave him the opportunity to drink milk at the farm where he worked. This was also a wonderful beginning for the bones in his body. Cow's milk has high protein content and can help us maintain muscle mass as we age. Mr. Dransfield enjoys drinking one glass of milk in the morning with Ovaltine, a milk-flavored product, and even served it to guests at his 100th birthday celebration.

## 2. Eat What You Want

Eating a healthy diet includes eating whole foods and protein while reducing red meat, dairy, and sugar. Mr. Dransfield's eating habits are quite relaxed—he enjoys hamburgers, chocolate, and sweets. He also eats home-cooked meals and purchases food from a local restaurant. His granddaughter, Ms. Lista, says he has never been strict about his diet. "He ate whatever he wanted. He never tracked his weight. He never had to lose weight, because he always maintained a balanced figure."

## 3. Don't Smoke and Don't Drink Alcohol

Drinking alcohol and smoking are considered two habits that harm longevity. Although Mr. Dransfield occasionally drinks beer, he doesn't drink regularly. In the past, Mr. Dransfield only started smoking at age 50, when a friend offered him a cigarette. But after 20 years, he "quit smoking on his own."

## 4. Live with a Strong Sense of Purpose

A person who retires early risks experiencing mental decline more quickly; and longevity is connected to enjoying learning new things and challenging oneself. Mr. Dransfield loves to work—he worked and never stopped learning for 60 years, mostly holding the position of director at an auto parts company. He retired in his late 70s, only because his wife asked him to. Nevertheless, he also volunteered as a firefighter in his community for over 80 years and served as fire chief for a time.

## 5. Stay Physically Active, Even Without Formal Exercise

If we move regularly each day, such as taking daily walks or doing gentle exercise, this will help us live longer and healthier. Mr. Dransfield volunteered as a firefighter—work he began at age 21. This work kept him active for many years. He said, "I was actively engaged and ran out when the alarm sounded for 40 years. Then for the next 40 years, (I continued) when I felt like participating." Mr. Dransfield has never exercised at a gym. Instead, he does odd jobs and keeps moving on his own.

## 6. Maintain Healthy Relationships in Life

One of the most common secrets to long life is having an active social life, whether that's calling friends or having pleasant conversations with people we meet outside.

Though Mr. Dransfield's wife passed away in 1992 (32 years ago), he has remained in regular contact with his family—one daughter, three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. His grandchildren visit him once a week and call to check on him every two days. Many friends from the fire station have stayed in touch and helped him continue living happily and healthily, especially after his wife's passing. His granddaughter shares, "Every day, he goes to the fire station from 3 to 5 p.m., and all the older folks sit there and spend time together. They're like his family." Mr. Dransfield has experienced that drinking milk daily, not consuming things harmful to health, being regularly active, and most importantly, maintaining social relationships has helped him live healthier and longer. He says, "Knowing people and loving people has made me live longer."

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# God Wants His People to Live Long and Live Well

God always desires for us to live an abundant life blessed in every way—both physically and spiritually. Jesus Christ said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). A long life, prosperity on earth, good health, while awaiting eternal life, is a result of God's infinite grace and our inheritance in Jesus Christ. All of these are part of what Jesus Christ sacrificed on the cross. He paid the full price for our complete freedom. The Apostle John prayed for the prosperity of God's people in 3 John 1:2, "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." Psalm 91:16 reveals God's desire for His beloved people, "With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

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# Spiritual Health: Living Long and Living Well

In God, we not only live long and live well physically, but also live long and live well spiritually—a truly blessed life! God's Word reminds us through the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." This verse is a strong reminder that our bodies are not our own but belong to God. Therefore, we are called to honor God by caring for our bodies. This includes eating and drinking healthily, exercising adequately, and avoiding things that could harm our bodies. Clearly, God wants us to live holy lives for Him, because God is holy and our bodies are temples where the Holy Spirit dwells. We must be careful each day in all things—from our thoughts, minds, words, actions, and relationships—to follow God's Word. We can practice the following six habits each day to keep our lives joyful and healthy:

* **1. Live Full—Eat God's Word Every Day.** "Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors" (Psalm 119:24); "Jesus answered, 'It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'" (Matthew 4:4); "Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord" (Deuteronomy 8:3).

* **2. Live Actively—Serve God Regularly.** "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11); "Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs" (Psalm 100:2).

* **3. Live Purely—Stay Away from Sin That Separates Our Spirits from God.** "Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God" (Leviticus 20:7); "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable" (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4).

* **4. Live Healthily in Social Relationships—Maintain Good Relationships with Everyone.** "Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:13-15).

* **5. Pray Regularly—Commune Intimately with God Each Day.** "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain...Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent" (Colossians 4:2); "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and petitions. Be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people" (Ephesians 6:18).

* **6. Live Joyfully in God Always.** "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22); "Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!" (Psalm 97:12); "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Romans 12:12).

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