Legendary producer Norman Lear's secret to living a long, fulfilling life is one for us all

The years of experience people accumulate over time often account for the best insights into this vivid and uncertain adventure that is life. The legendary veteran, screenwriter and producer Norman Lear—who recently passed away at the age of 101—had one such thought-provoking insight about what makes for a long and fulfilling life. Following Lear's death on December 5, CNBC Make It shared the late creator’s secret to a fulfilling life which he lived by to the very end. Lear is no stranger when it comes to creating art and masterpieces. According to The Economic Times, Lear has been responsible for the making of about 100 shows.

The recipient of six Emmy Awards is famously known for the TV shows “The Jeffersons,” “All In The Family” and so on. Lear continued working to the very end of his life and shared some spectacular advice a few years ago. Speaking with journalist Steve Lopez a few years ago, Lear recommended a tip for living life in the most fulfilling way. Relaying the same, Lopez shared, “[Lear] said life is about that little space between what’s over and what’s next. What happened yesterday is over. Yes, he created ‘All in the Family’ and 'The Jeffersons' and produced movies and has done, like, 60 years of breakthrough television but it’s over and he’s not sure what’s next.”

Lear was all about working, staying active and being on the go for future opportunities. He had an active lifestyle which allowed him to work right until the end years of his life. The Los Angeles Times shared how living a fulfilling life was also closely connected to aging well. Lear shared his take on the matter in 2020 at the age of 98. While younger interviewers and journalists contemplated retirement, Lear was on the run, hustling to the best of his ability. When asked about having thoughts of retirement, Lear said, “Not for a second!” 

He was more concerned with living in the moment and focusing on finding something or the other to get busy with and not wasting a single second in life, even at such an advanced age. “When I go to sleep at night, I have something that I’m thinking about. Among other things, it’s about something I’m doing tomorrow... a day in which there are things I wish to do. So today is over, and we’re on to the next,” Lear explained in his interview. Lopez, who was interviewing the late producer at the time, added, “Lear obligingly played therapist, saying he lived in the moment, which really is all any of us can do.”

“Lear said that he was certainly grateful for all the accolades and awards tossed his way in an epic career, but that he didn’t dwell on the past as much as what was in front of him right now,” the interviewer added. He mentioned how Lear looked at life like a hammock. “You’re swinging. From over, to next. Over, to next,” Lear said. Lear advocated the idea of learning throughout one's life, no matter a person's age. Throughout his life, he stressed living and learning simultaneously and embracing all that comes with a futuristic approach. “So long as I am interested in the next, I’m moving,” Lear remarked.