Hosted by Stephen Tremp, Michael Di Gesu, Diane Wolfe, and Alex J. Cavanaugh, thIs blogfest is meant to bring awareness of disease prevention and early detection regarding medical conditions that may be averted or treated if caught in the early stages. Our desire is to motivate people to go in for early screening, and if a condition is caught early and treated, then our world just became a little better place to live.
The topics are wide open. You can post about a particular cause you support. Or you can share a personal or family experience that is near to your heart. What’s great about this Blogfest is you can inspire people to take care of themselves and their loved ones early enough to make a difference in their lives.
Surviving and Thriving?
I was somewhat reluctant to join in on this blog event, but I decided to jump in at the last minute. After all, I am not the paragon of fitness and by no means do I set a good example for healthful living. What could someone like me possibly contribute to an event such as this? But as I thought upon it further I decided that I must have something going for me that's gotten me this far in life and still able to function somewhat decently and feel well most of the time.
Often my intentions for healthy living have been good. Now and then I've set off on some short-lived programs of good eating and some exercise. Mostly it's been like I am now. I eat a lot of foods that are not especially good for me and if it weren't for the stairs in my house I'd get hardly any exercise. Other than hiking and occasional juggling, I am no fan of working out or exercise regimens. When I was in high school I absolutely abhorred phys ed class. I don't mind walking long distances, but you'll never see me running--besides my heart arrhythmia prevents me from anything like running or vigorous activity.
My father and mother were much the same as I have been in my life. I'm sure I followed in their footsteps. My father died at age 67 from cancer while my mother who is now 85 is managing to hang on to her life. There have been family members who have passed early while others have lived a decent number of years with relatively good health. Is there any rhyme or reason to longevity and good health?
When I read an obituary of an athlete or some other person who I would have expected to be in very good shape who has died in their 30's or 40's from a heart attack or some other physical affliction, I'm often surprised by my own sustainability of reasonably good health despite my lack of doing anything to be healthy. Then I'll see an obituary of some person who you might have thought would have never crossed the 50 year threshold living into their 80's, 90's, and beyond. Sometimes life, death, and good health seems so random.
I won't deny that good diet and regular exercise can play a huge role in surviving through life with a good quality of living. Getting regular check-ups in order to screen for developing problems is an excellent strategy that can stave off the onset of dangerous health conditions. But always?
Genetics undoubtedly play a role. Environment and life circumstances are huge factors that can determine how healthy we are and how long we will live. However there is one major factor that is the biggest determinant of the outcome of our lives--attitude.
Happiness, contentment, and goodwill toward others is the most powerful inner force that any of us can possess. A good attitude will enhance the quality of our lives even if our physical condition is less than optimal. If we have a sense of direction that moves us forward toward some shining goal that has great meaning to us, then we have more of a will to live. I'm a strong believer in the power of positive thinking as well as the destructive force of negative thinking. The mind is a remarkable creative source. We can will ourselves into feeling well and powerful just as we can cause our bodies to deteriorate and die.
I'm certainly no scientific expert, but this is what I strongly believe. I've witnessed this in my own life and in the people with whom I've come into contact. There is a great deal we can do to enhance the quality of our own lives, but when our time has come then we cannot stop what has be predestined for us.
If a fatal disease comes to claim a child or a teenager then it's a sad mystery of life in this world. A person might live to a ripe old age with perfect health and in an instant be stricken with a death-dealing illness that they never expected. Death is going to happen, but rarely do we know in advance when, how, or why. Scheduled health check-ups might provide indications of developing problems and we should by all means take advantage of the medical expertise that is out there to help us. Advance warnings of those problems can make a huge difference in treatment and healing. And sometimes the inevitable is going to happen with no miracles to save us. We should be prepared for the good as well as that we might wish we could delay from happening.
My inner peace and happiness will help me survive. The joy of the Lord will give me the strength to thrive. Without those and without a hope of better things ahead and a reason to live, no amount of healthy living will matter all that much. I don't want to be like a mere machine that keeps going with proper maintenance. I am a human with purpose and a desire to flourish. Sometimes life can be a struggle, but when there is enough good in it then it's worth it.
Has a positive mindset gotten you through difficult times? Have you ever made yourself sick with negative thinking? Can you think of any examples of a person who you thought would have lived far longer than they did or someone who survived through experiences and lifestyles that you would have expected to have done them in at an early age?
If you have not yet voted on my Battle of the Bands post would you please visit and vote for your favorite artist? I think I scared off a few people with my selections for this special Halloween edition.
