When it comes to our longevity – the number of years each of us gets to live our lives – it’s as much to do with luck and genes as it is about the things we're able to control, such as exercise, what we eat, etc. Having said that, there are things we can do to make whatever years we have as fulfilling as possible, both for ourselves and those we share this crazy little planet with. 

Walter Breuning had been the world’s oldest man when he died in 2011 at the age of 114.  A resident of Montana, USA, he worked on the railroad for 50 years and married his co-worker Agnes Twokey. She passed away in 1957 and he never remarried.

Walter Breuning

When asked the secret to a long life, Walter suggested being kind to others, eating two meals a day, keeping your mind and body busy, embracing change, and not being afraid of death. He said, ”We're all going to die. Some people are afraid of dying. Never be afraid to die. Because you are born to die".

Well said, Walter. Life only really starts once you accept that it ends. Move over Bruce Springsteen – 'Born To Run' is a great anthem but ‘Born to Die’ is where it’s really at. You can read more about Walter here…

And here’s some more longevity advice from those who made it beyond a century…

“Have a good disposition. Keep going. Keep busy.” Dorothy Goldman, 103.
“Move it or lose it.” Louise Caulder, 101
“Do good things. That’s what counts; the good things.” Ida Seiko, 105
“Eat light and live long.” Jiroemon Kimaura, 116.
“I’m an optimist, nevera bad thought. For me it’s only the good things.”AliceHerz-Sommer, 108
“The trick is not to act your age.” Marvin Kneudson, 101
“Eight hours sleep a night and relaxing.” Misao Okawa, 117
"Treat people right and be nice to other people the way you want them to be nice to you.” Gertrude Weaver, 116

When you attend a funeral, you are there not only because someone you’ve known and loved has died, but also – most importantly – because they lived. And when, like me, your days are spent creating funeral ceremonies and sharing life stories, you realise that, sadly, some lives are much happier than others. 

I remember doing a service for an elderly gentlemen who's family had banished him to an institution at the age of nine for having learning disabilities. He was told he'd only be staying for two weeks; he was there for 50 years. Thankfully the care, love and kindness that had been missing throughout most of his life was present during his final years, thanks to a compassionate niece and the dedicated nursing staff at the care home she found for him. And this was the focus for our ceremony.

When it comes to life, we all experience the good and the bad, the dark and the light, the happy and the sad. When it comes to funerals, we have to find ways to shine a light on every life lived, even those who seem never to have emerged from the shade. It's a challenge at times – you want an honest reflection of a life but without dwelling on the sadness. But for me, the darker the life, the more determined I am to find the positives, and to give them their day in the sun…

With all these manifestos flying around during election week, here's one that really does make for happier lives...

At last… the thoughts and ideas I’ve wanted to share with the world about mortality awareness have finally come together in one website. Huzzah! Of course, I’ve no idea yet if my little ‘shout out’ will be heard – it’s a small pebble thrown in to the vast internet pond, and a subject matter that I appreciate may be seen as a bit, well, different. But I do feel a huge amount of satisfaction in creating I Was Here. It covers issues that matter, that I feel passionate about, and I hope the ripples of my efforts reach out and resonate with others too.

If you’ve found me, hello! And thanks for taking the time to visit. I hope it’s sparked your curiosity and interest. There’s lots more to come so don’t be a stranger. I shall be blogging regularly and creating new content. If you want to you can sign up to my Life Letter, and follow I Was Here through Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

I Was Here is relevant to every single human being on the planet. A big claim, huh? I know, but it’s true – if you’re mortal you’ll find something here that’s meaningful to you. I promise…

"It's only when we truly understand we have a limited time on earth that we will begin to live each day as if it was the only one we had."
- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross