Naomi Judd Says "Age Gratefully"

The Country Legend Says Baby Boomers Have A Lot To Look Forward To

(CBS)  Experts predict that the baby boomers will change what it means to be old. Country legend Naomi Judd is already doing her part with her book, "Naomi's Guide To Aging Gratefully: Facts, Myths, And Good News For Boomers."

Judd, a cancer survivor and six-time Grammy winner, said her experiences have made her realize the importance of gratitude.

"It's that old thing about when you can't control the way things are, you know, we can't control our circumstances. But the good news is we get to control our reaction to our circumstances," she told The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm. "Change is inevitable, aging is inevitable."

Judd said her book is full of cutting edge research that tells people how to live 15 years longer and how to change your attitude about growing older. She said people can live 7 1/2 years longer simply by adjusting their attitude.

"You have to roll with the punches in life and have a sense of humor," she said. "It's one of the things that allowed me to be here."

Judd, who hosts "Naomi's New Morning" on the Hallmark Channel, also tackles America's celebrity obsession in the book. She said the national fixation on stars is detrimental to women's self-image.

"The reality is if we devour eight and a half hours of media a day — eight and a half stinking hours of media every day — and we are becoming hypnotized by the ad agencies and they have to convince us we are not right so we will buy their stuff," Judd said. "So if we can get people's attention and say, 'Be discerning.' Realize you are fine the way you are."

Judd admits that she's had a face lift, but said that the key to enjoying the aging process is not fighting it, but embracing it.

"I start pointing out the good stuff," she said. "It's perspective. I am the happiest I have ever been in my life. I am the healthiest. I'm sexy."

To read an excerpt, click here.

"Naomi's Guide to Aging Gratefully" is published by Simon and Schuster, which is part of the CBS Corporation, as is CBSNews.com.

[jetlizhan]

Wait a minute here, Naomi can say to 'age gracefully' because she's HAD a facelift. And that's fine and good - maybe when i'm older i'll do something, i have no idea at this point - but don't tell others to roll with the punches and have a sense of humor when you yourself have just bought a 'taut' face!

[sawitch]

Yeah, right. Even with the facelift, she still looks artificial. What does she put her makeup on with, a trowl?

[jetlizhan]

i hear ya SAWitch!! totally agree