Blue Zones
W E L L – B E I N G
4 pages — 1 —
INTRODUCTION
S U C C E S S
“To laugh often and love much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the approbation of honest critics and
endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To give one’s self;
To find the best in others
To leave the world a bit better whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with enthusiasm, and
sung with exultation;
To know that even one life
has breathed easier because you have lived,
This is to have succeeded.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882)
A conceptually integrated and broadly affirmed basis for encapsulating a person’s lifelong HEALTH does not exist in 2023. The word “Well-Being,” with or without the hyphen, occurs frequently as part of an experiential commitment to consolidate a definition of HEALTH. The philosophical origins for “Well-Being” include the writings of Aristotle and Plato, some 2,300 years ago. A concise review of these historical traditions may be found on the website for the STANFORD ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PHILOSOPHY specifically, its essay for Well-Being written by Roger Crisp, Ph. D. and last revised September 6, 2017. More prominently, Neera Badhwar, Ph. D. wrote an expanded, philosophical analysis of WELL-BEING which was published as a book in 2014.
The definition of HEALTH herein applicable to NATIONAL HEALTH represents an application of both the humanitarian and scientific realms of Knowledge that are required to promote a nuanced overview of human HEALTH along with an acknowledgment of its ethical, moral, and spiritual attributes. Intentionally, this definition identifies the spiritual dimensions for HEALTH as originating from within the person’s Family Traditions. The spiritual origin for a person’s Stable HEALTH may or may not be connected to a specific religious tradition but rather to the positive impact of its communal character and a shared awareness about the origins of their survival, usually involving the recognition of an ultimate deity.
For the purpose of NATIONAL HEALTH, these considerations become important as we account for the functional, extended longevity occurring for many resident persons living within certain communities. Now recognized as existing worldwide, these communities have an unusual predominance of persons with highly functional existence lasting for many years after their 90th birthday. The identification of these “Blue Zones” represents the efforts by Dan Buettner to locate these communities and to publish a series of books by the same name beginning in 2010. Malcolm Gladwell described a similar community in Poseto, New York in the “Introductory” pages of his book OUTLIERS (2008). In short, the unusual attributes of these communities may be described as representing very high levels of bridging, bonding, and linking Social Capital, as maintained by their Family Traditions.
NEW DEFINITION
Well-Being may be defined as
“…Happiness in an objectively worthwhile life.”
Neera K. Badhwar (1946 – )
The evolution of a broadly accepted definition for Well-Being reflects the western traditions of beneficence and autonomy during each individual person’s survival. The historical origin of these traditions can be traced to Aristotle ( 384 – 322 BC ). At that time, the worldwide population was probably between 10 and 100 million. Since then, it has increased to 8+ billion, most rapidly during the last 100 years. A millennial understanding of HEALTH will be required as a yard-stick for understanding our worldwide survival, beneficence and autonomy enhanced. — 3 —
I am most respectful of the book written by Neera K. Badhwar, Ph. D. and published in 2014. Its title is: “WELL-BEING Happiness in a Worthwhile Life.” It represents the most current and carefully considered analysis of Well-Being. Now 200 years later, the poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson, cited above, could be edited to include a sub-title: “A Worthwhile Life.” I have cited a phrase from Chapter 8 of her book to define Well-Being for NATIONAL HEALTH. The use of this definition then becomes the linchpin for an expanded definition of HEALTH.
Now, it is nearly 10 years since Professor Badhwabr’s book became available. The analysis and refinement essays have burgeoned. An expanded review of these essays by Anna Alexandrova, Ph.D. and Mark Fablan, Ph.D. appeared during 2022 The Science of Wellbeing. (Alexandrova & Fabian 2022)