FOR many of us the answer to a friendly 'How are you?' is all too often 'busy' or even 'manic'. Not having a reason to get up in the morning has a certain appeal when lie-ins with a day stretched before you are few and far between.

Joking, but with a note of macabre seriousness, a colleague of mine recently said that he expects he will die shortly after he retires.

The comment made me think of my uncle, now in his early 80s, who had a successful career as a scientist in the field of aeronautical engineering. His work contributed to air travel safety and he continued to conduct research and give lectures long past traditional retirement age.

When I last saw him he said he had taken the decision not to go to an annual conference he'd never before missed because he felt he was no longer a very useful participant. He hasn't ruled out the possibility of making more scientific discoveries, though. Each day after breakfast, he goes up to his office, retrieves a stack of papers and reads them through.

Although he says he isn't sure how much of it sinks in, that outside chance that something he reads will trigger an idea that will in turn lead to a breakthrough on the origins of sun spots is enough motivation for him to return to his study each morning to have a go.

And why not? There are plenty of examples of people well into their 80s and 90s doing incredible things.

Sir Neville Marriner became the oldest conductor of the Proms this year, having just turned 90. He has said that 2015 looks to be a busier year than this one, and has bookings into 2017.

Then there's the 93-year-old who made the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest yoga instructor.

The doctor who warned her she would have to get used to slowing down after hip replacement surgery now has a photo of the former patient, legs crossed in lotus position, raised off the ground supported by her arms, beaming with smug pride.

Even if we have to make them up for ourselves, we all need a reason to get out bed each day.

One of these days we might be reading about the new discovery of why sun spots exist and it just might be that we have my uncle's reason to get up in the morning to thank for it.