Thank You For Your Birthday Greetings

My dearest friends and love ones, I couldn't thank you enough for remembering my birthday. 

Two days before my birthday as you must have seen on Facebook, my oldest brother started the greetings by posting a very nice table setting in my favorite vibrant colors, with a "happy  birthday, dear sister" caption; and that's what started the greetings pouring in.

 I can't help but thank him; though in the back of my mind, there is this myth that birthday celebrations or greetings must not be advanced since it would seem like rushing one's life.  There are many life's myths that we know and we often say: 

"You don't lose anything be abiding by it".  

My sister in the US was a bit uneasy about it, for I'm sure she knows this too; but I told her, that it is ok; it's a very nice post anyway and I'm flattered and grateful for it together with all the other advance greetings I got; they were done on the most generous of intentions. 

My birthday couldn't have been happier because of all your greetings, it made my day special, I feel so blessed. Let me take this opportunity to thank you all. I know I replied to most of you but if I missed someone, I say that every greeting and every well-wish is equally precious to me. So, thank you once again..

I did not have a party since my husband was feeling under the weather;  we did not dine out with my daughter and her family as we usually do since it was a school/office day; so this weekend would be more convenient to get-together with them.   The absence of the usual celebration didn't in the least dampen my mood; it didn't discount my joy because of the out-pouring of love and well wishes from you all. 

This year my life will surely be as exciting as ever because I intend to make the most of my time.  I look forward to pursuing activities that I truly enjoy. 

My 69th Birthday Resolution

"If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it."~~John Irving-

I was at the bookstore looking for something I don't even know what when my eye caught this book:

 

"the 100 Year Lifestyle" by Dr. Eric Plasker, an internationally acclaimed wellness expert and a chiropractic doctor.  I'm glad I bought his book, for right away it got me excited, won't you too, if you stumbled upon this treasure, this road map; a GPS for your quest for a longer life?  Besides, isn't it a coincidence that I found it right after my self-commitment to try going by the rules to live longer?

At this writing, I haven't read the entire book but his insights inspire me.  A lot.  In so many words, I read that even if I don't reach a hundred, still I can take a chance on having "a long life, well-lived", if I choose "to stay in the game and not let the challenges get me down"; that is making good choices along the way.   Dr. Plasker wrote:

 "you don't get to choose how and when you are going to die, but you can choose how you're going to live".

How I wish I got this book earlier in life (because as mentioned in the Introduction of this book);  like the world famous centenarian, George Burns, I feel the same and he couldn't have said it better:

"Had I known that I was going to live to be 100, I would have taken better care of myself"; 

I'm sure you all agree that our life is defined by the choices we make;  what we do, what we eat, whom we associate with; every action "titrates" towards a goal we set because of our choices and actions made consciously or even unconsciously. 

He likened our actions and activities to a chemistry experiment called "titration", when you put drops of a chemical to a beaker of a clear solution slowly drop by drop, there's a point when the solution turns turbid. That's what is going to happen to our health; either way, good or bad depending on our choices.

"It's not the last scoop of ice cream that takes us in, but the succession of scoops we took". 

So beware!

From the choices Dr. Plasker put forward, I made out a "road map" for my game plan in the hope that from hereon every conscious effort will redound towards my goal; I'm about to embark on the greatest adventure of a lifetime! However, don't expect anything great or sensational here because my journey will be ordinary; 

1-HEALTH is number 1 and it includes:

~a properly aligned spinal column, (to enable the nervous system to work properly). fortunately, I had mine adjusted just recently.

~a sensible diet, I have to refrain from sugar and sweets and oh yes! fatty foods. No problem eating veggies, I really can't do without and I love them leafy as well; cooked or raw.   Breakfast is always oatmeal with bananas and dried fruit bits. A basic lunch would be steamed okra (or any veggie for that matter) in shrimp paste/balsamic vinegar sauce with brown rice.

One thing though that I have to master is not only eating the right foods but also the right amount, I have to learn from the Japanese ladies who don't get fat; I read that they stop eating when they are 80 percent full; 

"how to know I've had my 80 percent?" 

This time I really have to use my "gut feel" literally.  Whether this is true or not, I learned that it takes the brain about 20 minutes to get the idea that we have reached our capacity, so the partially full stomach is logical.

 Read this link:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/480254-how-long-does-it-take-your-brain-to-register-that-the-stomach-is-full/

More about my health resolve.....

~maintain an exercise routine that is both enjoyable and sustainable. Even though I'm just walking, I can shake it up in many different ways to make it more effective and more interesting.

~avoid stress if I can, worry is a big stress enhancer.  Instead of worrying I must have faith.   If I can't help it, the book suggests to do The Serenity Prayer of St Francis: 

By the way, Dr. Plasker warns that we must not wait for a crisis to change our ways, "do it now because you want too, not because your life depends on it". In other words, I should eat sensibly right now, exercise now and refrain from worry right now; I should not wait for a heart attack or develop diabetes 2.  I must have "heath reserves" to avoid health crisis. 

 "For what is a long life if I'm not fit and healthy to enjoy it."

2-GREAT RELATIONSHIPS is another essential element. 

Increase interaction with other people; maintain a close circle of friends and cultivate better appreciation of relationships.  I must develop a multi-generation of people around me as well since younger people are so refreshing for the old. Dr Plasker guides: 

"learn to approach relationships from a place of acceptance, love and kindness and only pursue relationships with people who share the same values".

I always make the most of the time I can spend with family and I intend to keep it that way, if not better.   When my children who live abroad are in town, I drop everything to be with them; my older daughter visits, even if she lives in town,  or when my granddaughter comes over, I stay home and I hang out with them; when friends want to get-together,  I make time to meet up; when friends and relatives invite us to parties, we attend if logistically possible. 

3-PURSUE MY PASSIONS

Young children often asks:

 "mom, what will I be when I grow up?"

"Can I be a pilot, mom?"

And mom's answer is not always "que sera, sera" as the song goes, but:

"You can be anything you like as long as you work hard for it"

Likewise with me, even at this stage,  I believe that pursuing anything now Is never too late.  I read that a 92-year-old lady started writing her book and with the help of family members it got published. 

I must embrace new things. Technology is inevitably changing our lives, and we can't do anything about it but be open to learn in order to keep up with the times. Some people are self conscious to learn; "I'm too old "; "I just can't understand"; "I can't do it".

Resisting change is tiring, learning new things is a better option, a challenge I just can't resist;  besides, I am blessed that I have the full support of my entire family on this. 

~I like to write and express myself; my younger daughter opened an account for my blog and showed me the ropes; while my two other children encouraged me to go on, with great praises, and  my husband cheered me on. 

~I like to join Facebook, my older daughter helped me join and continues to teach me how to use my gadgets.

~I like to read novels; my husband bought me an iPad and my older daughter sends me ebooks, she introduced wattpad and Kobo as well.  My son lent me his USB to download 300 novels. 

~I need to walk for exercise, my husband got me the latest nike earlier; and now my younger daughter got me the new flyknit Nike because she knows I'm still very much into walking. 

Just today my granddaughter introduced  me to "The Saturdays", the British singing group of women; letting me listen to her favorite, "not giving up", one of their songs on video. Hey! That can even be my theme song for this adventure.  I like knowing about them for they are  like The Steps that had disbanded sometime ago and I enjoyed listening to some of their other songs. This is a third generation update;  I'm thrilled and even wonder, how many grandmothers even heard of The Saturdays? 

For now, trying to live longer is my "Next Big Thing". I am committed to it and to keep me going, I shall live by the principle of  Dr Plasker: 

"Change happen one choice at a time. Think progress, not perfection",

 meaning that I must not rush and get frustrated, baby steps is the way to go.

Obviously, my resolve is not limited to trying to living longer; since it doesn't only mean not dying early, but the important thing is the quality of life I will have.  And that's all up to me!   Wish me not luck, but motivation and determination to this commitment; and oh yes, the wisdom to make good choices. 

Let me end this with another quote  reminding me that I must really "live in the moment", be focused, and take advantage of every minute. I should be very conscious of what's taking place in my life, and this will guide me to make good choices.

                                                       ~~~~~~~~~~~

“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.” 

― Henry David Thoreau -

Note: phrases and sentences enclosed in quotations unless otherwise specified were all lifted from the 100-year lifestyle book by Dr Eric Plasker. 

Another Birthday?

I

July is here again! I'm having another birthday soon. This reminds me that I have to renew my driver's license.  Am I looking forward to this birthday? How do you think I feel to have another candle on my birthday cake?  Honestly?  I don't know. 

Come to think of it, maybe it won't matter much if I gain in age as long as I'm fit and healthy; then I can say that "I'm as old as I feel".  Besides it is also a good thing that nowadays people put only one candle on birthday cakes.  But who is counting anyway? Well, certainly not me!  Why fret over something that's inevitable? Instead, I'd rather give credence to this life I've been given by enjoying it to the fullest. 

Many people are so conscious about getting older; some people I know even lie about their age, especially the ladies. I can never forget a colleague at work who stopped adding a year to her age after she turned thirty. I laughed when I over-heard her best friend say:  

"see, you're already thirty three, remember you were born that year when ......  ",     

well, she forgot her actual age because in her mind she wants to believe that she's still thirty. 

I've never lied about my age, no reason to, since everyone will take a look at me and they'll know anyway.  So whenever I'm asked, I honestly tell the truth;  I'm even proud about it especially when people flatter me that "I don't look my age".  However please don't ask about my weight, since that's a different story, "that's very personal". Hahaha!  

Now that I still have a year before my "diamond" year, yes!  I'm turning 70 next year;  I still have my priorities lined up;  even if there are  "so many things to do, with so little time";  that won't stop me from maximizing my potential, continue exploring my God-given gifts and enjoy my most important relationships.  

A grandson was just born two months ago, I want to be part of his life, at least his growing up years and if possible, his adult life as well.  And why not? I'll try, until I fall.  Was it at his recent christening that my comadre, (mother of my daughter-law) wondered whether we will still see him graduate from college? That made me think for awhile and my impulse reply, (which I kept to myself) was:  "que sera, sera"; but immediately afterwards, I pledged in mind to take better care of myself from here on, so I will have a fighting chance to be there by then. 

I accept that no one is invincible and that we all have to go sometime.  When people reach my age, I believe that they are aware that they are just "living on borrowed time".  What to do then?  We must take advantage of this bonus. Who was he who when asked: 

"what's good about old age?" And happily answers: 

"living"!

 It's true and I totally agree.  

 Ask any physician or your aged grandmother

 "what's the secret of long life?", 

and most likely the answers would be:  

"adapt a sensible lifestyle", 

"get enough exercise", 

"stick to a  heathy diet". 

Though, these are very important, personally, I need more than that, if I were to live long, I must have great relationships; it should be full of learning activities that stimulate my mind and enjoyable as well, all in all, it must be full of fun! 

Now, don't get me wrong because I'm not just talking of "great relationships" as in "romance" here, but if one has that too; then so much the better.  I'm talking about loving my family more; what is not to be happy about when I have loving and thoughtful children who lead sensible lives and adorable grandchildren?  What is not to like about good friends and concerned nelatives?

I believe that the key here is to surround oneself with people who matter most in one's life; interact with friends; reconnect with long-time ones; meet new people; talk to strangers, get interested in the people around us and they will get interested as well. 

Aside from good health and great relationships, finding inspiration from a hobby is important to me.  I need to have something to look forward to;  to be lost in a pre-occupation that makes me forget time; a reason to get up every morning and be enthusiastic to face the new day.  Did you ever experience waking up and going straight to your garden to check on the seedling you transplanted yesterday? Or to see whether the long awaited rosebud opened?  Or did something sprung from the seeds you sowed last week? 

I recall when I was a little girl, my Mama grew cactus:  

"they're low maintenance; needs little water", she said. 

She planted them in colorful, decorative, small pots and used them as center pieces on tabletops. I can still imagine her pleasure whenever she arranged each plant around our home.  I'm sure that brought her so much joy.

 

Then one plant had a bud. I didn't know until  she told me:  

"it will open soon, just once and only at midnight".   

So, one night my Mama and I waited until midnight to witness the bud  open.  I was so sleepy but my motivation to witness this flower open kept me awake. It was such a wonder to see each white petal with pink streaks wake up; exude fragrance and immediately after the entire flower fully opened, it began to close,  turning into a bud again and wilted;  just like Cinderella's carriage turning to a pumpkin at midnight. 

Now I wanted to make sure that this incident I recall from my childhood isn't  just a dream or my imagination at work and found out that it's true, there are flowers that only open at midnight. You can check this link:

http://www.ehow.com/list_6535971_flowers-bloom-midnight.html

Talking about pre-occupation, my husband once told me about someone who wants to tee off ahead of the others because he wants to be the first to walk on the grass fresh with dew early in the morning.  Some say it's the smell of the grass that makes them want to play golf; others just like the sight of green everywhere and the wide open spaces or the fact that they will hangout with buddies at the clubhouse afterwards that motivates them. 

Whatever it is, look for that activity that can provide inspiration and  joy; find one that really interests you,  something  you truly enjoy and surely that will keep you going. 

So now you ask me, am I looking forward to my birthday? And why not?  I'll surely get gifts; we will eat out and many friends will remember to greet me. And oh yes, maybe I'll get a Fitbit or a Misfit band as a birthday gift to myself. Who knows, that may encourage me to exercise more. Now, isn't that something to look forward to?  

To my contemporaries, what do you say? I'd appreciate hearing your take on this and about life at this "certain age".  Watch out for my birthday resolution in my next blog; it's already in a draft.