THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY: THE PAYOFF

Young farmers kick back, at a Montessino Farms barn dance.

When we are young adults, it can be ever so difficult to listen to our hearts and use our common sense. Friends will make fun of you for being a "party pooper"(non-smoking, moderate drinker). Others will give you grief for being a "tightwad" or "miser"(conservative spender, steady saver). When you get a bit older, the focus seems to be on food and exercise, and a "moderation in all things" motto will seem to be totally unacceptable. You may feel like you are the only one who believes it makes more sense to put forth a little effort or make a few small sacrifices, rather than just popping a magic pill, or the only one who refuses to jump on the Atkins/South Beach/Paleo/Vegan/Dietary Supplement/Whatever bandwagon. When you see the magazines at the checkout counters, they will make you feel quite lazy for settling for a mere exercise routine, instead of running marathons or spending hours in the gym each day to perfect one's pecs, while at the same time your little ones might make you feel guilty for needing to take that daily walk, when you could be spending quality time snuggling on the sofa with them. You may wonder if it's really worth the effort to stick to your guns, especially when your results don't seem any better than those others. It may not be until you hit your early fifties that you finally beging to notice a difference -- to actually see some payoff for the effort. Oh, it's not going to keep you from being in an auto accident or guarantee that you will never get cancer, but it could make a huge difference in quality of life. 


All families have genetic predispositions for certain things. In our family, one of them happens to be a wonky gall bladder. All my siblings had to have theirs out when it was a major surgery with a lengthy recovery. I was lucky enough to hold onto mine just a wee bit longer, which means that, when it does go, thanks to advancements in technology, mine will be a simple out-patient procedure. If arthritis or diabetes runs in your family, the payoff might be extra years of traveling free and unfettered, instead of having to give up your mobility or carrying syringes wherever you go. If it's heart disease, it can be the difference between having the energy to play with your grandkids, and never getting to meet them at all. I can't tell you how many times I've heard guys, who are somewhat hedonistic in nature, use that line about wanting to slide under the pearly gates hollering "Whoa! What a ride!" Since no one likes to be preached at, I bite my tongue and don't say anything about how my father-in-law ended up, thanks to that attitude.


I'm no poster child, and would certainly be in much better shape if I could lose about twenty-five pounds and keep it off for good, but through many years of observing those who are living The Long and Good Life, here's what I've found to be the prerequisites:

• eat your veggies
• choose active over sedentary
• be proactive, not reactive
• choose long term happiness over instant gratification
• practice moderation in all things
• know that there is no such thing as a magic pill -- all medications have side effects, and though they may, someday, be a lifesaving necessity for you, one can usually postpone that day for a good long while, just by exerting a wee bit of will power
• get a life -- don't let your job be who you are