"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:
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.
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