We all are getting older. Time marches on. Cliche, cliche, cliche. There are moments though pointedly reminding you it is true.
I couldn’t have had a more “Clark Griswold” moment than this Memorial Day weekend. All the kids together smiling, visiting, commiserating, playing games together, sharing time and for a moment or two I was having a sense of pride and love in a sappy “Clark Griswold” way. It was pretty cool because there have been moments in the past I was sure a moment like this was not in the cards. I guess that is the good part of time passing and some events fading far into the past and time helping with the maturation process. A couple of you out there counseled me wisely how time can repair much while pushing on a string is fruitless. Thank you.
Health and wealth seem interconnected- and not just because they rhyme. I know of wealthy individuals who would gladly take a step back in wealth or even fully trade it to get back health. Conversely, I know younger people wanting it all now in terms of wealth, yet not fully realizing the gift they have in their youth, health, strength, stamina, and drive. I guess we all want what we can’t have.
What I have read and experienced is there are some things needed to extend the quality of life while living. Exercise of mind and body is an ever present need to keep engaged and extend quality. There seems to be endless data on this academically, but the summary is “use it or lose it”.
Our body seems to prefer premium fuel. Good, basic, minimally processed food. “Everything in moderation” isn’t just a cute saying, but pretty good protocol. Maybe even, “everything in moderation and some things minimally”…I don’t know if it will catch on. Not quite as catchy.
We are all going to die and it’s going to be from something. Duh. Sometimes we have little control over what it is, but there are some things we can take a more active role in determining. Unfortunately, the items we take an active role in are still mostly slow and plodding hardly noticeable culminations over thousands upon thousands of day. Truly “death by a thousand paper cuts”. By the time we realize we ate poorly, didn’t exercise, and slept poorly, years have passed and the damage is a challenge to reverse.
Medicine has gotten good at sustaining life and extending it, but if the quality does not remain, what have we got? It feels like we are on the cusp of a new generation of medicines that can proactively assist us in prevention, rather than simply reacting to what has happened. The question is whether the healthcare complex can make the change from reactive medicine to proactive medicine or whether there is simply too much money and profit in not changing the current medicinal models in place. I am hopeful for positive change.
We all have challenges. I am not going to turn this into a confessional, but I know both the writer and the readers of this have individual challenges and sometimes these can be quite vexing. Habits break hard and new habits are difficult to instill. Time works against the efforts. Biology and age can work against it. But don’t give up trying (Or believing if you are a Journey fan).
I guess between this Memorial Day weekend and another birthday coming up, and hearing older relatives talk around the kitchen island about their friends, neighbors, etc. having health issues and this and that, it struck me. Don’t wait. Invest in yourself and your well being because each one of you has people in your life who truly want you well and around in their life. So it matters. Go on a walk. Hop on a bike. Do some yard work. Lift some heavy stuff (whatever that is to you). Find a friend or neighbor to do it with. Get outside and enjoy the sun and weather. Seek guidance from a doctor or a trainer. Regardless of age, now is a great time to take steps!
It is important to invest in yourself as well as to have investments. Sometimes we (I) just need a little reminder. And yes, this pep talk is as much for me as for anyone who cared to read it to the end. If you want a more scholarly and professional thought product, I suggest “Outlive” by Peter Attia. It is a great book that dives deeply into this pond.
Be well and have a great summer!