As a society, as Americans, we are spending more and more money on fixing broken bodies. So if you could teach your kids three things about being a grown-up I would suggest you consider these.
1. Live as if you do not have health insurance
Would you drink and drive EVER if you did not have health insurance? Would you go down that double black diamond if you are only an intermediate skier? Would you buy a motorcycle or consider going skydiving? Would you go running on an icy day? Would you eat fast food? Would you go for days without drinking water and only consume coffee? Would you consider smoking cigarettes? Would you try hard drugs? Would you blame the world, your mother, your husband, whoever, that it is their fault that you are overweight or unhappy and be content with having others fix your problems because you are entitled to it?
A lot to think about...sure. There are a lot of limitations that you might set on yourself if you did not have health insurance. Think about all the things you could do.
Could you shop on the outside of the grocery store and buy whole foods with a small budget? Could you make a statement by purchasing yourself and family members all water bottles? Could you have one salad a day to stay regular? Could you go outside or to the gym at least 5-7 days a week and move to keep your heart healthy? Could you enjoy every chance you had to do something fun outside and be happy with life in general just because you are living right now? Could you keep life moderate and be reasonable with choices involving risk? Could you take responsibility for your own health mentally, physically, and socially so that even though HIPAA prevents health information being shared you would want the world to know that you are healthy and your family is healthy? Could you be embrace the sadness and relish moments of laughter and joy?
These are all small steps of taking care of ourselves that seem to be forgotten and we would rather exclaim on Facebook, Twitter, etc., about being a victim of X than appearing happy and healthy.
2. Treat others as you would want to be treated.
The Golden Rule. Enough said.
3. Take responsiblility for yourself and your own actions.
Rather than blaming other people for your sadness, lack of confidence, overweight body and lack of health, take control. Get over your sadness, everyone is sad at some point (heck, everyone can be happy too). Take a deep breath and be okay with failure; Rome wasn't built in a day and learn from your mistakes. If you are overweight and someone has asked you to start moving, remember what you can do and take small steps toward improving your chances with gravity as you age. I challenge you to keep going to the gym through February and March and make exercise a part of your daily/weekly routine. Remember wanting to and doing are completely different.
I believe that everyone is perfect just the way they are, however, with us being Born to Run, and in the 21st century, maintaining a sedentary lifestyle, we are preventing our own progress by not moving. Move forward and do something. Lack of health is just confirmation of reasons not to do something...overcome the odds. I believe most Americans have an affinity for the underdog, so why don't you live it and Be A Hero, at least in your own mind.
Think about the things we could do together. We could be healthy. We could be happy. We could live within our means and enjoy what we can do.
Enjoy the day...I will be running.
Heidi
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