Okinawan wisdom

[Guest guest]

Hi all..

My wife said something very interesting while we were driving around Okinawa today..

She was quoting some movie director who said..

"The main difference between Okianwans and (mainland) Japanese is that Okinawans put life before career."

I thought that was quite profound. In the U.S. we tend to put career before life (i.e. family, friends, community, self growth, etc..). Such a profound difference in thinking could possibly be one of the fundamental psychological factors that help Okinawans live so long..

In any case that had a profound affect on me so I thought I"d share it..

Ed

[Guest guest]

Eddie: we are blessed to have you, a transplanted Okinawan, among us. We

have a lot to learn, most of us being western born and bred.

Please keep posting all the Okinawan wisdom you can. We need that as well

as our diets to live long, healthy and HAPPY lives.

For the newbies: Okinawa is the example for all of us. Because of their

diets, and way of life, they are the longest and healthiest living people in

the world. Walford writes about them in his books. There are more

centenarians there than anyplace on the face of the earth. Unfortunately

though, unhealthy western diets (and western ailments) are making inroads.

on 7/27/2002 5:06 AM, Eddie at vlad_storm@... wrote:

>

> Hi all..

> My wife said something very interesting while we were driving around Okinawa

> today..

> She was quoting some movie director who said..

> " The main difference between Okianwans and (mainland) Japanese is that

> Okinawans put life before career. "

> I thought that was quite profound. In the U.S. we tend to put career before

> life (i.e. family, friends, community, self growth, etc..). Such a profound

> difference in thinking could possibly be one of the fundamental psychological

> factors that help Okinawans live so long..

> In any case that had a profound affect on me so I thought I " d share it..

> Ed

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Your message struck a responsive chord with me. Thanks for posting your thoughts. ----- Original Message ----- From: Eddie Sent: Saturday, July 27, 2002 7:36 AM My wife said something very interesting while we were driving around Okinawa today.. She was quoting some movie director who said.. "The main difference between Okianwans and (mainland) Japanese is that Okinawans put life before career." I thought that was quite profound. In the U.S. we tend to put career before life (i.e. family, friends, community, self growth, etc..). Such a profound difference in thinking could possibly be one of the fundamental psychological factors that help Okinawans live so long.. In any case that had a profound affect on me so I thought I"d share it..

[Guest guest]

Ed and all,

This is also something my son noticed some years ago when he began

living in France. The difference in concern about " status " . In the

States... if you are a waiter it is " expected " that this is temporary

and you plan to " make something of yourself " eventually. But in

France people seemed quite content to be whatever they happened to be

if it was giving them the necessary sustenance. There was no concern

over " status " ... they were free to " enjoy " life.

The stress we put on ourselves in this country relative to

almost " everything " surely must have an impact on us during our

lifespans.

Lucy

My wife said something very interesting while we were driving around

Okinawa today.. She was quoting some movie director who said.. " The

main difference between Okianwans and (mainland) Japanese is that

Okinawans put life before career. "