Weeks after she passed away at age 99, actress and activist Betty White still inspires millions of fans. They celebrate her by remembering the kindness and joy she brought to everything she did, whether making us laugh or making us feel her love for animals. She left an estate valued at a reported $75 million, but the money came second to the work she loved. Betty proved the adage, “Do what you love, and the money will follow.”
Now more than ever, as we cope with uncertainty, fear and emotional disconnection, we can all learn a lot from this beloved star so that even if we die at almost 100, it will be too soon.
Here are five meaningful ways to live like Betty:
1. Get Out of Your Rut and Try Something New.
Throughout her long career, Betty was constantly remaking herself and her image. She played wholesome characters until she became the man-hungry Sue Anne Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Then, she switched things up again as impossibly sweet Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls and yet again as cranky Elka Ostrosky on Hot in Cleveland.
Refuse to just keep doing the same things over and over just out of habit, and you will always have more fun and happiness to look forward to.
2. Speak Up and Stand Up for Your Beliefs.
Betty was an early supporter of civil rights and never let public opinion sway her. In 1954, she featured Black dancer Arthur Duncan on her variety show, which led several Southern TV stations to threaten to drop the show. Betty not only refused to fire him but actually gave him more airtime.
Keeping quiet for fear of hurting other people’s feelings will only hurt you. Portraying a false image leads to bitterness and resentment for what you could have been. You may even find that speaking up will not hurt others as much as you think.
3. Find Meaning in Supporting a Cause or Project Close to Your Heart.
Betty’s love for animals is well known. She was a faithful supporter of the Los Angeles Zoo for many years and lent her endorsement to other animal causes. On January 17, which would have been her 100th birthday, many fans donated money to animal-rescue organizations in her honor.
The benefits of being part of something greater than yourself are also well known. It gives meaning and purpose to your life. Doing good for others makes you feel great about yourself.
4. Choose to be Happy.
Whatever Betty did, she was clearly having a wonderful time, especially when defying expectations. She loved to make people laugh, and she usually did it by not taking herself seriously. Even after losing her beloved husband, Allen Ludden, she continued living her life with as much joy and happiness as possible.
We often have no control over the events that happen in our lives, but we always have a choice about how to react to them. Betty chose to be happy, and we all got the benefit.
5. Keep Going!
This may be the greatest lesson we can learn from Betty. She was 88 in 2010, a very busy year for her: She began starring in the hit series Hot in Cleveland, played a football player in a now-famous Super Bowl ad, and became the oldest person ever to host Saturday Night Live. Betty was up for anything – the more offbeat and surprising, the better.
Betty built her fortune on a foundation of joy and fulfillment. To start planning your legacy and leave this earth exactly how you want to be remembered, contact OC Estate & Elder Law at (954) 251-0332 or info@ocestatelawyers.com to get started with a free phone consultation. Our attorneys are fluent in English, Spanish, and Russian.
