If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
~African proverb.
Would you like to add some years to your life? Who wouldn’t, right?
There’s a myriad of drugs, supplements, and 1-2-3 steps “guaranteed” to give you more time, but there are a handful of regions in the world that are stretching life into the 90s and even beyond the century mark. 
The so-called Blue Zones — from Okinawa to Ikaria and Costa Rica to Sardinia — have been living the secret for decades, if not centuries. You won’t find them selling their wares on TV, and you can’t find it in a bottle in your favorite pharmacy, but they have common themes and threads. Sure, eating well with a plant-based diet — and in moderation — is a key ingredient, but there’s another crucial factor: Community.
In every Blue Zone area, connectivity — finding your right tribe, putting family first, and partnership — is a common practice. But it’s more than Facebook friends or coffee buddies. These people live together, laugh together, and love together.
Everyone needs a people. We long for relationship. We need relationship. The Blue Zone way means finding your people is more critical to your success than any other influence—more than money, circumstances, education, time, or location. And the evidence from the Blue Zones now provides you with incentive because they’ve demonstrated it adds years to your life.
Successful groups and relationships are built on meaningful connection, mutual respect, healthy boundaries, and trust. Relationships don’t last without that foundation and can flounder like a fish on dry sand.
If all this sounds familiar, check out the original model in Acts 2:46 (NASB): “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart.” It’s how they lived in the early days of the church. And it’s the same blueprint used in the Blue Zones.
Some communities in the U.S. are attempting to adopt some of the philosophies and techniques and have even realized some levels of success. One of the keys is community. Find your people. Change your circle, change your future, and change your life.
Indeed, Jim Rohn is right: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Some research shows that smoking, happiness, loneliness, and even obesity are habit-forming and contagious. Hanging out with the right tribe and an encouraging circle can change you and add years to your life.
And, if you want to know more about building community, get our book YOUR FAB 5. It was the #1 New Release and #2 Best Seller on Amazon — and it’s on sale this week. Want to know more about the Blue Zones? Check out THIS.
If you want to live longer and prosper, there are several factors. One of those is building community, and you can take a step today and start to build your community — meaningful relationships that make a difference in your life. It’s incredible the people you meet when you make the time.
Thought to ponder. You can add 2-3 years to your life just by building your community.
Questions to consider.
- What’s one thing you can do today to build your community?
- Who belongs in your community?
- What would your life look like if you made your community a priority?