Happy Birthday to Jeralean Talley, the Oldest Living American!

Mrs. Jeralean Talley turned 115 this past Friday. She is a remarkable woman. She gets around on her own with the help of a walker. She went fishing last year. She has a 14-month old great-great grandson. And she is one of only 74 people IN THE WORLD who are at least 111 years old.

Of course, we all want to know her secret.

Is it diet? Exercise? Good medications?

Talley’s answer to why she has lived so long hasn’t changed over the years. “It’s all in the good Lord’s hands,” she said. “There’s nothing I can do about it.”

Hmmm. Really?

Well, many leading health and healing experts echo Mrs. Talley’s claim and point to the importance of attitude and life outlook on health and longevity. For example, here are some findings from the research of Dr. Lissa Rankin.

In a way, it all makes sense. God created life so He is in charge of it – kind of like the Landlord. When we are born He gives us a lease. If we are good tenants and do not violate the terms of the lease, we stay to the end of the lease; if we are bad tenants, the lease is terminated early.

I would say that Mrs. Talley is doing something right from a moral point of view for God to let her live so long. But that is her secret.

What I want to know is this:

When will insurance companies start factoring spiritual beliefs and practices into underwriting?