She may be 65-years-old, but Christie Brinkley pays no attention to her age at all. That just might be one of the reasons why the former model always looks so full of life, but it’s not the secret to how she maintains a constant state of happiness.

Christie hosted the BELLA New York’s Influencer Issue Cover Launch party on Wednesday, March 13, and was able to reveal how she is always so positive and filled with good vibes. “I just think you have to really be in the moment. Where ever you are, whatever you’re doing find something to love about it and enjoy it,” she exclusively told Closer Weekly.

Christie Brinkley
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“I just think it’s gratitude,” the National Lampoon’s Vacation star continued. “When you are truly grateful for what’s going on in your life, wherever you are, even if it doesn’t seem like there’s a lot you can always start with the things that matter.”

The mother-of-three will be returning to Broadway on April 18 in a revival of Chicago as Roxy Hart, the same role she made her stage debut in nearly a decade ago. “It’s funny, I just feel so overjoyed, honored and privileged — and of course I want to do a great job,” she said of her comeback. “I really am just giving it my all and I hope that’s enough!” In addition to the 2010 run, Christie returned for a limited run in 2012, too.

Not only is Christie very happy these days, but she’s filled with as much confidence and feels as beautiful as she’s ever felt before. “Around 50, you start letting yourself off the hook, and you have a real awareness of priorities and what really matters,” she recently told Us Weekly about her new outlook. “Others’ opinions just don’t have power over you anymore. The only opinions that really matter to you are those of the people you love.”

Christie Brinkley
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“Let me put it this way: When I started doing the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue [in 1979], I was very concerned about trying to live up to the image they projected of this hot body in a bathing suit,” Christie also said. “At the time, I became very self-conscious. I’m kind of in the same situation with aging. Aging is inevitable. If I’m lucky, I’m going to be running around as an older woman with my hard-earned wrinkles. It’s inevitable.”

Reporting by Katie Bruno

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