WHY? ... and WHEN?

I was chatting with a woman I met recently, who helps older adults through programs to build some strength, but also helps them build back the ability and strength to do daily tasks such as geting dressed, brushing your teeth comfortably etc.

I was happy to hear there are programs like this around, and the reality is we need more people like this woman. However it also conjured up a question for this "Zen Quickie"....

Ok, two questions...

WHY are we allowing ourselves to get to that point where we can't do the basic things for ourselves with ease and/or without discomfort/pain/inability?

and....

WHEN will we learn from those older than us, that THIS is our very REAL future, if we don't take action for ourselves throughout our lifetime NOW?

Why do we wait ?? ....

Health is "the long game"

Health is NOT a sprint. Health is a marathon that dwarfs the longest of ultra-marathons on Earth. I'm reminding us of this FACT to also remind you that we don't have to approach our health in a rushed or forced way for that exact reason. We have time to experiment, play with and figure out what works for OURSELVES as individuals. But waiting until you're ABILITIES are limited, gone or discomfort/pain has made it's home in your everyday, is waiting MUCH TOO LONG.

The days of the great "Tortoise vs Hare" are over. The Hare is now VERY curious about the tortoise's approach to things. 😀

I see health very differently in the past 5-10yrs than I did in the earlier years of my career, because it's really about preparation, isn't it? Especially when we take away social asthetic views and our EGO...

• You train and move your body to be stronger and fitter for next year...

• You train and eat well to feel more energy for tomorrow...

• You sleep well and take time to rest to tackle next week's events...

• You take care of yourself and your health to be more able and independant as you get older...

• You keep your body healthy to share in experiences that are memories for tomorrow...

STOP waiting!

Let me remind you that you ALWAYS have a choice. Take action or don't. It's up to no one else but YOU. In the case of these folks that this woman is helping, they didn't have the information and programs when they were younger that may have helped them at the point in life they're at now. WE DO!!! Every single one of us! Whether you're in your teenage years or in your 60's reading this - We have more knowledge about human health and wellbeing to PREPARE ourselves for a healthy latter portion of our lifetime. We also have enough information about what DOESN'T work in addition to WHAT DOES WORK for most people as well.

What these folks doing the program have that some younger people don't - The ABILITY, GUTS and MINDSET to say "I WANT help and guidance so that I DO feel better, stronger and more able!" The other option, is for them to do nothing and complain to everyone they encounter about ALL their ailments, aches, pains and inabilities. "Fun" eh?

They're NOT doing that!

STOP waiting. START doing.

DISCLAIMER - I am speaking about the general population (I.e. MOST people who are generally able). There are obviously conditions, injuries etc that truly do prevent some from being able to maintain their independance as they age. That said, there are many wonderful stories out there of folks who are up against the odds and who refuse to let that stop them from living a rich life, if you sift through the negative garbage.

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If this "Zen Quickie" has you thinking about your future self and independance, let's have a conversation about how you can create a lifestyle that will promote a healthy, independant future self.