I want to live forever. Or at least I think I do, as long as I'm young, healthy and, ahem, beautiful. I mean, who doesn't?

While throughout history most philosophers and spiritualists have advised that our very souls are immortal, our physical bodies belong on this plane and therefore the effects of time: old age. We are born, we age, we die. But our souls live forever! Hmm. I live my life, I grow old, I leave my body - but I float around in spiritual space enjoying being bodiless forever. Sounds tempting, but not nearly as fabulous as having a gorgeously youthful, ageless body to enjoy our earthly heaven! According to history, it seems like most of the general population would rather take the latter (myself included).

Since recorded history, man and woman alike have been searching for physical immortality. Eternal youth is a gift frequently sought in myth and legend, and stories of things such as the philosopher's stone, universal panaceas, and the elixir of life are common throughout global history.

Recipes for immortality have stood the test of time (so to speak), in that the age-old subject of living forever refuses to die. Throughout history, great thinkers and feelers have dreamt up seeming miracles: from hippopotamus dung and leeches - Cleopatra's favorite face mask - to drinking ambrosia (I have no idea what the heck that is, but it sounds tasty. I'll take!). All who have come before us have desired immortal life.

Now in our evolving high-definition world, we're clamoring for longer, healthier lives. We want porcelain, pore-less, wrinkeless flesh, high-beam teeth, perfect bodies. And once we have that, we want to maintain it forever! And while physical immortality has seemed like a stretch for most of us, maintaining the life of skin cells doesn't: hence the intense popularity of anti-aging skincare, lasers for erasing wrinkles, and human growth hormones for rejuvenation. So far, so good.

But lately, I've been reading alot about the science behind living forever. It seems as though scientist at the forefront of this research are saying that in a decade or two, we will know how to stop the aging process and even reverse it! According to an article this past September in the UK based Telegraph, scientist Ray Kurzweil claims humans could become immortal in as little as 20 years' time through nanotechnology, and an increased understanding of how the body works. I quote:

"Ultimately, nanobots will replace blood cells and do their work thousands of times more effectively... Within 25 years we will be able to do an Olympic sprint for 15 minutes without taking a breath, or go scuba-diving for four hours without oxygen... Heart-attack victims - who haven't taken advantage of widely available bionic hearts - will calmly drive to the doctors for a minor operation as their blood bots keep them alive... Nanotechnology will extend our mental capacities to such an extent we will be able to write books within minutes... If we want to go into virtual-reality mode, nanobots will shut down brain signals and take us wherever we want to go. Virtual sex will become commonplace. And in our daily lives, hologram like figures will pop in our brain to explain what is happening... So we can look forward to a world where humans become cyborgs, with artificial limbs and organs."

Whoa.

That far exceeds my fantasy of taking up martial arts at the Earth age of 60, and maybe having my second child at age 95. Oh, and doing it with the face of a 35 year old. I'm in!

So then, according to this research, it's up to me to do my best to preserve myself, so that I still look and feel young enough when the technology becomes available. Color me already preparing. How? Behold:

- Alkaline Diet: According to many, reducing acidity in the body is the best way to anti-age and avoid disease. Healthy cells must maintain a slightly alkaline pH level, and our bodies are rebalancing to achieve this state all the time. When the build up of acidic elements are so great (this happens through acidic diet, as well as stress and environment) it starts to destroy healthy cells around them. Some cells change their formula in order to survive in an acidic environment. If they are successful, this is the beginning illness such as cancer: cancer cells are acidic while healthy cells are alkaline. Even if the cancerous tumors are completely removed surgically, as long as the acidic conditions in the area remain, the chances are that new tumors will develop around the same area. Sage says: GO RAW! Here's a great link.

- Exercise: Not only does exercise help create an uber-youthful body, it can be fun, reduce stress, and help eliminate toxins through sweat. Whether walking on a treadmill or busting out the dance moves, getting into the groove every day is one of the best, easiest ways to stay younger, longer!

- SPF and Skin care: There's a reason why women (and men) have forever (pun intended) diligently applied products to the skin. Gentle massage stimulates circulation, blood flow and speeds up detoxification, revealing fresh, new skin. And as we age (sigh) our skin cell's natural abilities to renew slow down, which leaves us appearing sometimes older than we are. In this day and age, looking younger has never been easier - and there are a bevvy of amazing products on the market! My absolutely favorite line is Eminence Organics, a Hungarian spa-line developed 40 years ago rich with organically grown herbs, fruits and vegetables. My picks: Yellow Sweet Clover Anti-Redness Masque and their SPF 30 Sun Defense Minerals.

And hello: sun damage is like the most leading cause of premature EVER! Use SPF, every day.

- Supplement: This goes without saying. In this day and age, even our organic foods are lacking the nutritional content they once had. Soil, water and air have become so polluted that the foods we eat don't offer the same nutrients: supplementing with the basics, such as antioxidants and vitamins can help our bodies function optimally.

- Be Happy: When you're happy, you love life. You want to be here, now. Living in the moment helps keep our stress levels down, and enjoyment of life up.

And speaking of happiness, I hav
e no intention at all of living forever if I'm not happy. Right? I mean, what would be the point? I'm no party pooper, especially at my own party.

It has been said that there is no way to happiness, happiness is the way. In my humble opinion, happiness is the best anti-ager on the planet. That is, until I can grow my own boobies. I will happily wait for that.

Love forever, Sage

Photo Credit: 27149250@N00