My Best Life

Did you have a birthday celebration with black balloons? If you have then chances are you are among the group that the younger crowd considers "over the hill".  They say that the best days of your life are over. You can expect to gradually increase in aches and pains. You may as well settle down in front of the TV and become a couch potato. Right? WRONG!

Most people over 40 (and I am well over that) will tell you that they really did not even begin living until they got past that age. Sure, you had some good times and some great memories but  did you really understand your place and purpose in life before that?

I remember those days well. They were filled with home and family and struggling to make ends meet. Instead of understanding my own self worth I allowed others to define it for me.  I was wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister and friend but not often...just myself.  I like me much better now.

Most people, as they mature, become more settled in life and find that they are more comfortable just being themselves. Their self esteem improves, and amazingly their work performance is usually better than when they were younger. 

However, getting older does mean that if you want to stay healthy enough to enjoy those mature years you have to do some things to either maintain or improve that health.

I live in the Southern part of the United States and up until my husband had a heart attack was one of those "southern cooks". That meant homemade biscuits with butter or gravy, southern fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans seasoned with a little fatback  and pie or cake.  Sweet iced tea was always available.

Now meals are much different. Nutrition has become my hobby along with researching what science has to say about being fit and healthy.  These days I work 4 ten hour days a week at our local hospital and see the results of people not taking care of themselves. Many of our patients are much younger than me. Many take multiple medications to survive. Life was not meant to be lived like this.  There is a better way.

There are many things that we can do to enhance the quality of our lives as we grow older. Good nutrition, fresh air, clean water, and exercise can really make a difference. Don't you think that it just makes sense to take care of ourselves while we can?