Norman Lear shares his life mantra on his 101st birthday, says he's entering his ‘second childhood’

Norman Lear is a legend in the truest sense. When a man of Lear's stature says something, you make sure to sit and listen. The screenwriter, who is responsible for developing 100 shows, recently turned 101. After passing this milestone the legend had some pearls of wisdom to share with everyone. The man behind critical sitcoms like "One Day At A Time," on the occasion of his birthday on July 27, uploaded a video on Instagram describing his approach to life in what he calls his "second childhood."

In the Instagram post, the writer reflected on his long life, which has been filled with laughs, as well as, lessons he had to absorb along the way. The biggest lesson that he has learned in his life is learning to live in the moment. In the video, he jokes “Norman Lear here, dribbling a bit because he’s entering his second childhood. I have just turned 101 and that is, they tell me, my second childhood. It feels like that in terms of the care I am getting. I get the kind of care at this age that I see children getting.”

As a '101-year-old toddler,' the words that he suggests people should focus on as life goes on are 'over and next'. He says to people that when something finishes people should understand that it's finished and have an evident closure. He continued, "And if there were a hammock in between those two words, it would be the best way I know of identifying living in the moment.” Throughout the video, Lear suggests people to not regret. In his opinion regret is the most futile thing to do in life and an individual should accept when things can no longer come to fruition and choose to enter a new chapter with optimism and happiness. He advises people to never hold on to things.

Lear in his career is known for creating and developing sitcoms like "All In The Family" (1971–1979), "Maude" (1972–1978), "Sanford And Son" (1972–1977), "One Day at a Time" (1975–1984), "The Jeffersons" (1975–1985), and "Good Times" (1974–1979). For his work, he has garnered six Primetime Emmys, two Peabody Awards, the National Medal of Arts in 1999, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2017, and the Golden Globe Carol Burnett Award in 2021. His work in the industry garnered him the membership in the Television Academy Hall of Fame. In his 2014 appearance at "Meet The Press: Press Pass" when asked about writing shows that pushed the envelope and brought topics like abortion to the front and center Lear replied, “I didn’t even think I was breaking a mold.” He also commented on the overtaking of streaming and suggested writers that rather than being afraid of it they must focus on their content and try to produce something from their guts and minds.

The comment section was filled with appreciation for Lear. @hoodwillhunting loved the content of the video and commented, "Your optimism is infectious, and your ability to convey the human condition via your work is as inspiring as the day you started, I’m sure of it. Happy birthday, Mr. Lear". Judd Apatow wished the legend and wrote, "I love you, Norman! Happy Birthday! You are always an inspiration". Glenn Scarpelli also expressed his admiration and wrote, "So beautiful, Norman! I love you so much! I am here in the NOW with you too!! Happiest of birthdays!!"