This quote came in an email I read this morning and it resonated strongly with me.

"I argue that the most powerful thing you can do to add healthy years is to curate your immediate social network. In general, you want friends with whom you can have a meaningful conversation. You can call them on a bad day and they will care. Your group of friends are better than any drug or anti-aging supplement, and will do more for you than just about anything."  —Longevity researcher Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow, author of Blue Zones series of books. 

Last night I had a long, 2 hour Zoom call with a dear friend and reading this quote this morning reminded me how fortunate I am for this real friendship. By real, I mean those women with whom you can have deep, meaningful, and sometimes uncomfortable conversations without having to be selective or guarded.

That’s a big deal; not having to be selective or guarded. That doesn’t mean you’re not kind and compassionate. And it certainly doesn’t mean you don’t have disagreements or misunderstandings. It does mean, however, that you don’t have to avoid certain topics or hide certain parts of yourself for their sake or your sake. Having history together, being able to share on a common level and be your true self is life changing. And, it appears to be life lengthening, too.

MOAI: Meeting for a common purpose

In Okinawa, Japan the average life expectancy for women is around 90, the oldest in the world. In Okinawa, people form a kind of social network called a moai — a group of five friends who offer each other social, logistic, emotional and even financial support for a lifetime. Traditionally, parents put their daughters into moais when they are born, and they take a lifelong journey together.

I love the concept of moai - “Meeting for a common purpose.”

When I started the Bold-WOMEN community last year, I had something like a maoi in mind, although I didn’t know the word until now. The common purpose - my purpose??

• Ignore the “retired woman over 60” cultural stereotypes and
• Continue learning, growing, and stretching
• To be the best version of me while
• Mentoring and encouraging other women who want to do the same.

Yes, Bold-WOMEN is a “virtual” community but I believe the friendships that develop here are real. Don’t ever hesitate to reach out in the group, DM me, or speak up out at any of our events. This is a space for all women who are interested in optimal living rather than anti aging.

“Friends can exert a measurable and ongoing influence on your health behaviors in a way that a diet never can”

— Dan Buettner