Words that Never Leave You: “I like a lot of organic food from the mountain, but the specific food itself is not important. It’s important that people just enjoy it.”

Part Thirty-Two in an ongoing series from Hollie's book "Words That Never Leave You: Fifty Pearls of Wisdom and Reflection from Survivors Across the World."

Panjshir Valley’s Abdul Satar, known by locals simply as “Sheikh” is one of the most revered Afghans in the picturesque province. At an estimated 105 years of age – Afghanistan does not have standardized birth records in many rural areas – I watch each morning ardently as he shuffles down from the hilltops with more zest than men half his age.

But what is Abdul’s quintessential secret to longevity?

“I like a lot of organic food from the mountain, but the specific food itself is not important,” he responded with a toothless grin. “It’s important that people just enjoy it.”

Photo by Mohammad Rahmani on Unsplash

Such a simple concept long forgotten in our Western world consumed with calories and low-carb diets and food labels and dress sizes, I think to myself.

PURCHASE YOUR COPY OF “WORDS THAT NEVER LEAVE YOU” TO READ MORE REFLECTIONS AND ANECDOTES

Now available on Kindle

Now available on Paperback

** Short read of meaningful lessons gleaned from the ordinary forced to become extraordinary

For speaking queries please contact meta@metaspeakers.org

I am also available for a select number of private coaching sessions for those wishing to write a book or venture into the foreign journalism space. Please contact directly for rates hollie@holliemckay.com

PLEASE CONSIDER A PAID SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS SUBSTACK TO KEEP INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM ALIVE.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter for more updates