According to the Yale Grammatical Diversity Project, the phrase “you do you” is typically identified with millennial culture and means “be yourself” or “do what you want.” However, as Mark Twain would have just celebrated his 187th birthday on November 30, 2022, we can clearly see that “you do you” was in play long before the first millennial was born.
Ahead of His Time
Born in 1910 (and died in 1935), Mark Twain was an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. He is often referred to as the greatest American humorist. William Faulkner referred to him as “the father of American literature.” Born at a time when history when the average lifespan was 60 years, Twain died at the ripe old age of 74. He was a man who had a tremendous impact on the world, and a good amount of time to create that impact. Twain lived his “you do you” for a long time, and we are all the better for it.
At 100 Year Lifestyle we speak often about the fact that there is no one size fits all. Every 100 Year lifestyle is unique to the owner, and 100:100, living at 100% for 100 years or more, is different for everyone. If you read the 100 Year Lifestyle stories on this website, you will learn about dozens of centenarians from all over the world living their 100:100 in their own way. There might be some similarities among the bunch, but generally speaking, each story is unique. The key here is that each 100 Year Lifestyle encompasses not only healthy longevity but quality of life as well. No one wants to live to 100 alone!
Some Help Doing You
Build your 100:100 to suit you. But to help you along the way, remember to trust your body’s innate intelligence, build out a surround sound support system, pursue your passions, indulge your generous spirit, prepare for yourself and loved ones financially, and remember to enjoy the moment. Clearly, Twain’s 100:100 included humor and thoughtfulness – to start. Here are a few of his memorable quotes. If you want to read a bit more about the man, click here.
You can’t reach old age by another man’s road. My habits protect my life, while they would assassinate you.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.
The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.
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