101-year-old Norman Lear reflects on his birthday: ‘Living in the moment’

Television icon Norman Lear celebrated his 101st birthday on July 27 by sharing some wise words in an Instagram video.

The “All in the Family” creator spoke about “living in the moment” and entering a new phase as he gets older.

“It’s Norman Lear here, dribbling a bit because he’s entering his second childhood,” he jokes in the sweet clip.

“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,” Lear went on. “I get the kind of care at this age that I see children getting, toddlers getting.”

The TV pioneer continued: “And so, I am now a 101-year-old toddler, and I am thinking about two little words that we don’t think about often enough, we don’t pay enough attention to: ‘over’ and ‘next.’”

He then gave some advice for living one’s life to the fullest and knowing when it’s time to move on from a situation.

“When something is over, it’s over, and we have the joy and privilege of getting on to the next [thing]. 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. That hammock between over and next,” he suggested.

“I am living in that moment now, with all of you,” the centenarian said. “Bless all of you, and our America.”

Many stars showered Lear with love and birthday wishes, with “Knocked Up” director Judd Apatow commenting: “I love you Norman! Happy Birthday! You are always an inspiration.”

“Sending you love Norman!” Melanie Griffith wrote in the comments section.

John Mayer sent a happy birthday, and Alyssa Milano chimed in: “Happy Birthday! Love you!”

Last year, Lear celebrated his 100th birthday on his farm in Vermont with his wife, his children and his grandkids.

He has been a staple of Hollywood since the 1960s, creating the groundbreaking Archie Bunker series and developing its spinoffs, including “Maude” and “The Jeffersons,” plus producing “Sanford and Son,” “One Day at a Time,” “The Facts of Life” and more. 

His long and fruitful career was honored in an ABC special last year, titled “Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter.”

Celebs including George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Aniston, Jimmy Kimmel, Amy Poehler, Octavia Spencer, Tracee Ellis Ross and Kelly Rowland made appearances to show their love for Lear.