151. THE SECRET OF LONGEVITY
Asian Scientist (Dec. 14, 2011) –" Singapore’s oldest person, Teresa Hsu Chih (许哲), has died at the age of 113. She passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday 7, December 2011.
Hsu was born into poverty in Guangdong in 1898 but rose to become one of Asia’s most beloved and inspirational social workers in Singapore. She started studying nursing after World War II, at the age of 47.
She later founded the Heart to Heart Service and the Home for the Aged Sick in Singapore, and her contributions to charity earned her the Public Star in 2009.
According to a notice on the Heart to Heart website, Hsu had requested that no media announcement be made, and that no rituals or ceremonies be conducted. Hsu was cremated that day and instructed that no claim be made of her ash."
In 2005 I went for her talk on a topic which interest many people. A secret of longevity.
As an eager audience I saw her walkup the stage without any walking aid. She was 107 then. After a long introductory by the emcee, Teresa addressed the audience. She said "I really don't know why I live so long" and the lecture lasted just five minutes.
In our usual sense the lecture should at least last for an hour with tips of do and don't. However, during a short Q&A sessions she threw some lights on her lives and living philosophy.
Here I try to summarise her views as follows:
Live simple
Help others without personal motives
Letting go Ego
Exercise daily. She did Yoga and meditation.
Do not possess much material things
Live by example
Keep giving and sharing
Laughter and humour
No worry since her always thinking of others' welfare
Eat healthy diets. In this case she was vegetarian
Very passionate about her work, forgot dying.
A year later, someone interviewed her when she was 108
Q: How do you define religion?
A: There are no religions but only the religion of love. We are all brothers and sisters. That is my religion, there is no other.
Q: You rarely get angry, when you do, how long does it take you to feel at peace again?
A: Three days. Such a waste of time!
Q: Why don’t you get angry?
A: Anger hurts the self, hurts the other person, hurts a lot of people.
Q: Do you make your own clothes or buy?
A: I get them from charity bins. I don’t ever waste money on myself because since I look after people in poverty, I feel I must be like them, dress like them
Last year in Malaysia during her public sharing session,at a age of 114, she told the audience; Love is the greatest emotion. Love conquers everything.
Teresa Quote:
If it is within my power. No one will go hungry, and I push myself that promise. It is not charity but a natural thing to do.
Teresa Hsu conscience was cleared, she designed her life being fulfilled and ended peacefully. It was a reward for her.
May Teresa Hsu rest in peace
Here is a secret of Teresa's longevity.
We tried very hard to increase our health, happiness, wealth and even awakened our spirituality but that may not increase our longevity until we extend our hands out to help others in Teresa's way or in our own unique ways.
My conclusion: Emulate sister Teresa Hsu, it seems that longevity is a simple act, create a noble intention daily.
