What is one of the secrets of a happy life? I believe most happy people would agree, it has to do with caring about others as much (or more) than you care about yourself. When we place your attention on others, we really don’t have time to worry or even notice our own problems.
The one thing that can really make one despondent, however, is hearing news that some very caring individual has passed away.
So it was this past week when I learned of Jack LaLanne’s death. I was engaged in an otherwise cheerful conversation with my wife, Peggy, when the news broke that LaLanne had died. Both our smiles inverted.
We had the honor of featuring a personal interview and story about LaLanne, by Antonia Venezia, in the March 2007 issue of ALIVE, when LaLanne was a spry 92. Since that time and for all of his years prior, Jack LaLanne lived and preached an active and vital lifestyle that has been the model for today’s fitness culture in the United States and around the world. Jack LaLanne was an American original. He was a patriot and, as Antonia called him in her article, he was a genuine, “nice man.”
By all accounts, I would also say that Jack LaLanne was a supremely happy person too, probably because he cared so much for others. It was what his life was about, as he taught America how to get in shape and how to be happy doing it.
In honor of Jack LaLanne and with respect and condolences to his family; his wife Elaine and children Yvonne, Danny and Jon, we are including in this issue of ALIVE, a revised version of the article and interview that appeared in our March 2007 issue.
In a way, this publication is a proper and fitting place to pay tribute to a man who was, after all, so very much alive. We will miss you Jack. Thanks for being the person you were.
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