If you’ve ever read ‘The Lord of the Rings’ you’ll no doubt remember the intriguing character Tom Bombadil, a fearless character, completely contented with life and older than the hills. This unusual character seemed almost out of place in the book (probably the reason he was left out of the film)  and with his obvious power over the ‘One Ring’ and his unconcerned outlook on events beyond his borders, he was a bit of an enigma. He seemed to possess the secret to achieving immortality and although purely fictional, Tom Bombadil is a character who can teach us something about anti aging.

For a start he was completely happy and happier people live longer. Aristotle wrote "happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence." This does not mean the type of happiness people use as a facade to show the external world. It refers to the true happiness that comes from inner peace and acceptance of the moment.

So how is it our main objectives in life appear to be related to wealth and material possessions? The vast majority seek happiness in things outside of themselves but this only leads to more unhappiness. It seems our thoughts on happiness are in opposition to where true happiness can be found.

True happiness can only found in the here and now and can never really be found by reaching a goal based on material wealth. Although goals can bring to a person favourable conditions they do not in themselves bring happiness. Neither does attachment to things. Do we really want to base our happiness on reaching a given state that might only last a moment? 

There are also those that dwell in the past. Replaying past events and justifying their current condition denies them present moment happiness. Regrets take us away from the moment and lead us to unhappiness and the notion that we have been wronged leads to bitterness and hatred. In fact spending time dwelling on the past or future often leads us down a path of negative emotions. Worry, anxiety, depression, hatred and stress etc all contribute to the aging process because their effects play out in the physical world (our body).

So how do we change our thoughts on happiness and become happier?

Learn to accept the moment and do what you have to do. Be at peace with a situation and understand the problem is not the situation but only your reaction to it. Leave the past behind and once you have made your plans let the future take care of itself. Try to live by thinking ‘What is’ and not ‘what if’. Forgive yourself and those that have wronged you. Letting go of the past is one step towards lifelong happiness.

Be grateful for what you have and you open the door for more to come into your life. Have a purposeful life and set goals but enjoy each moment on the journey by becoming more aware. Share the fruits of your labours because identity (I have, you have not) like thoughts of the past and future can effectively block happiness. In fact, true happiness(bliss), peace and love transcend time - they are our gateway to the fountain of youth.

There is an idea that time is simply there to stop everything happening at once while space gives us the illusion of identity. When we are both ‘now’ and ‘here’ we transcend time and space to be ‘nowhere’. Perhaps this is the ultimate secret of achieving immortality and true happiness - no doubt Tom Bombadil would agree!

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