I was recently invited to one of my client’s 80th birthday party. It seems like only yesterday that I was invited to his 70th party. Time is a strange thing…moving quickly and catching you unaware of passing years. It seems like only yesterday that I was young, with all of life’s promises ahead of me. My two daughters were little children, I was getting divorced and embarking on a new direction in my life, college, and yet it seems eons ago, almost another lifetime. Makes me wonder where all the years went. I remember seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older folks were many years away from me and that it would be a long time before I would get there-so far off that I couldn’t even imagine what it would be like. But, but here it is, approaching relentlessly, like the tide. I now look in the mirror and see some gray; in the eyebrows, the hair, some wrinkling in the skin. My friends all look older too-some in good shape, some not, but I can see the change. Most are not prepared for the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to do the things they want to do. Nearing 60, I am about to enter the final third of my life. There are many things that I wanted to do, but never did. BUT! I did prepare myself for the loss of strength and ability to do things; I exercise and consume reasonable nutrients. I feel better now than I did 10 years ago; stronger, fewer aches and pains, and better energy. Exercise and nutrition are key. There were many times that I didn’t feel like dragging my butt out the door to exercise, but I did. Countless times that I thought of grabbing a quick bite somewhere instead of taking the time to prepare whole foods- it can be tedious. But I did, and let me tell you the payoff is tremendous! I’ll continue on this path so that the final third of my life can be lived to the fullest. I hope you do too.
Stay well, John R Blilie, M.S.