Did you know that research has proven time and time again that those who follow their creative passions can actually live longer? The first time I heard this, I thought about the late Frank Lloyd Wright, 20^th Century’s best-known and most respected architect whose busiest time in his professional life was in his late eighties. Most famous for designing The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, he once said, “The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.” A master builder and lover of nature, he had a passion for life and his work.

A few years ago, my wife and I vacationed in Arizona. Not only did we have a chance to marvel at the grandeur, majesty and beauty of the Grand Canyon, we also had an opportunity to see the beautiful red rocks of Sedona, the mystic Painted Desert, and tour Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert masterpiece, which was also his home. Mr. Wright believed that his architectual creations should become a part of nature and not compete with it. While there, we could definitely feel the spirit of the great passion he had for his craft.

Another passionate, creative genius who comes to mind is Gordon Parks. He was a celebrated photographer, musician, poet, novelist, journalist, activist and film director. Best remembered for his photo essays for Life magazine, he was also the director of the 1971 film, Shaft. Mr. Parks lived to be 93 years old.

Grandma Moses, the famous painter did not begin her art career until she was in her early seventies. Some of the world’s greatest artists did their best work near the end of their lives. This includes people such as Monet, Renoir, Matisse and many others. What I’ve learned is this, if we want more out of life, we must find something that we can truly be passionate about. The beauty of all this is, it’s never too late to start living life with passion.

In closing, I believe it’s important to remember the words of the late Norman Cousins, “The tragedy of life is not death, but what dies inside while we are living.”