Things That Matter

For some reason the past few days I have been reflecting on how fast time goes by. Recently Nancy and I were talking about when we first got married. 19 years old, living on love and not much else.  February will be our 27th anniversary – doesn’t seem possible.

I never really thought about getting older until recently. I mean I feel better than I did 20 years ago, taking care of myself a bit better has that effect. But little things are starting to crop up. For some reason my glasses don’t work as well as they used to. I even have to take them off to read sometimes. What’s up with that? And the hair? Well let’s not go there today.

Deb Richey recently lent me a book, “Younger Next Year” and it is fascinating (and it’s funny, which is always good too!)  It gives scads of evidence that exercise, hard exercise, is the key to quality aging. Not walk on a treadmill for an hour “exercise”, but really getting after it. Look we are all going to get older, but as author Chris says, that doesn’t mean we have to rot.

It’s a fact, the body is either in a state of growth or a state of decay. Fighting off that decay takes work. We all know those people who are vibrant and healthy into their 80’s and 90’s, I say why not join them?

I mean I’d like to tell you that you just need to find that perfect balance in your life and it will all be sunshine and rainbows, but seriously? Balance is for the most part a myth, and it means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take control and take positive steps to stay healthy and live well.

And one of those positive steps is taking the time to slow down and enjoy life, the things that really matter. As those around me could tell you, I am not very good at that. There is always something that needs to be done, right? I mean I have a business to run, clients and team members to take care of, things to do for crying out loud.

And then life slaps me in the head. On Saturday Drew says to me “I can’t wait, only 3 more month and I hit double digits”. I was kinda stunned, but he is right. In 3 short months he will be 10 years old. But I don’t want him to be 10. I want him to be 9 for just a couple more years, because then I will have the time to do all the things I want to do with him. To do all the things he wants to do with me. Like throw the football, and play Batman on the Wii, and build that model plane.  But I don’t suppose time is going to stand still, not even for a (self) important guy like me.

We all have the same 24 hours in a day, so it’s not a matter of not having the time. It’s a matter of how we choose to use it.

I mean you can sit on the couch for 4 hours a night, or you can keep your mind and body active. Life will go on if you don’t watch the latest episode of your favorite show. But perhaps that life, your life would be better for longer if you chose to make it so. And beware that this is not a one time choice, but a decision to be better every day. To be productive, to take care of yourself through healthy eating and hard exercise, and by taking the time to focus on what really counts in your life.

Whether you have kids yet, or still in the house, have seem some leave the house already, or never intend to, I think you’ll get the point .

Live Life Intentionally.

Coach Dean

 If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again
( Author Unknown )

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I’d finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I’d do less correcting, and more connecting.
I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less, and know to care more.
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.
I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I’d do more hugging, and less tugging.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I’d build relationships first, and the house later.
I’d teach less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.