Connie's Corner: Life At "Age 40"

As I reflect on my recent 40th birthday, I am reminded of how important living right really is. “Living right”, what does that really mean? Does it mean “eating right?” No, I don’t think so. I think “Living right” is much more than just one aspect of life. It’s even more than just being a “good” person.

“Living right” is about LIFE. It’s about being an active participant in life. It’s about grasping every opportunity you have to learn from others, teach others, and living your life to its fullest. “Living right” is about more than being an observer of how others do it. How often do we say, “wow, must be nice,” when we hear that someone has just gone on a dream vacation or has just purchased a dream home or a nice car? What if we changed that response and said, “it’s going to be nice!” Doesn’t that empower us to do something to MAKE IT HAPPEN?

I recently saw a documentary of the power of positive thinking as it relates to cancer treatment. In this documentary, it was shown that people who went into their cancer treatment with a positive outlook…with the thought that they were going to make every day count, actually had a longer life expectancy and a better outcome. Those who were negative and gave up often fell victim to their illness. This is not to say that bad things don’t happen to good people. Unfortunately, they do. But even though some died, they left this world fighting and appreciative…with their eyes wide open and peaceful, having met the challenge of life.

In my work, I hear people say in response to being told their cholesterol is high or their blood pressure is high, “isn’t their a pill I can take for that?” There’s always a pill…that is my response. And medication is not a bad option for many, BUT…what if we live our life to the fullest and take every advantage of the things that are naturally available to us? What if we started to exercise instead of watching everyone else around us do it? What if we started eating more fruits and veggies and less high fat, low fiber foods? What if we started reaching out to those around us and experience life and what it has to offer? What if we meet with our doctor and talk about ALL of the options available?

Another documentary I recently saw (I know…I’m watching far too much tv…) was on the AIDS epidemic in Kenya. A brother and sister, both under age 10 and living alone, were interviewed who had lost both of their parents to AIDS. They were asked what they remembered and missed about having living parents. The boy, now head of the household, said that he hadn’t had a piece of fresh fruit since his father died over a year previously. Wow! It hit me! Imagine the joy that the sweetness of a fresh apple would bring to this young boy! We and our children take such foods for granted. Imagine if we approached every day like this Kenyan boy would a piece of fresh fruit…with joy and wonder…with appreciation.

As I reflect on my 40th birthday…the mid-point to my life, my motto is, “Wow! It’s going to be great!” I will try to make a difference not only in my own life, but in the lives of others. I will try to meet new challenges with a positive outlook, as difficult as it may seem at times. Imagine what we will learn if we open our minds and hearts to new things and experience them as children would for the first time! Make a difference today and every day in your life…and in the life of another!