Do the Things You Hate - So You're Able to Do the Things You Love!

There was a news story on this week about a woman on Long Island-Jerry-who turns 100 this weekend. I know funny to think that there could actually be a positive story on the news. There she was at the YMCA in Bayshore holding a perfect plank for nearly 5 minutes. She participates in aerobic classes almost daily and does weight lifting on Fridays. It was truly inspiring. Her advice to us all was - “Be consistent, be positive and keep moving in whatever you do. That’s very important.” Apparently, she and her late husband joined the Y there when it opened in 1991 and she never stopped. I imagine genetics and diet and attitude must all play a role but for me it demonstrated what the human body can do all the way to 100 and for her I would guess -beyond.

I know we’re not all that lucky-things happen-all sorts of things – things we may have no control over. But somewhere in that news story it showed what might be possible if we keep on moving and keep on being consistent and positive. I have known people to just stop…. and sit in a recliner watching TV until their last day which comes far too quickly. And it sure is way too easy to love crusty bread and pasta and ice cream more than granola, salad and steamed vegetables.

There was a quirky little Instagram video of an elderly woman doing laps around her car in her very small driveway. She walked about in her housecoat and talked about clearing off her porch to put a chair out where she could have her coffee and listen to the birds sing-she mentioned getting out of the house to meet a friend for tea-and she ended with what I thought was an interesting quote…… “Self-care isn’t the same thing as self-indulgence. It often requires hard and unpleasant things-taking good care of yourself sometimes requires you to do the exact thing you hate-so you are able to do the things you love the most-and my dear, you deserve a life full of the things you love!” And I thought that is so true-sometimes we have to do the things we hate in order to be able to do the things we love. Now for me-the plank that Jerry was doing might be something I hate-but I admired both her strength and her devotion to good health and longevity.

It is funny where we find inspiration-sometimes turning off the news and picking up sticks in the yard might reap wonderful benefits. Finding a friend for a morning walk-hitting the beach for a moonrise or a sunset. For me I enjoy walking alone as it can be both inspirational and meditative. I love stopping here and there to take photos with my phone-that indeed is one of the things I love the most. The pigeons choreographed flight from the windmill to the yacht club- watching the boats reassemble in the harbor-the windows and flower boxes on Main Street.

One of my cardiologists advised that I ‘get out and walk around that beautiful village of yours-walk for at least 30 minutes a day – and walk as if you’re late for an appointment.’ Walking is something I enjoy the most but sometimes on those cold and dreary mornings I find it hard to stay motivated-my bed has quite a gravitational pull. So, I make sure I have my walking clothes and sneakers all lined up on a chair the night before -so it’s harder to make excuses. And for me, if I don’t walk first thing in the morning, I find myself making excuses throughout the day. Some mornings I’m surprised that the streets aren’t filled with dozens of walkers- but I guess any time of the day works.

I know that this is not possible for everyone-physically, medically, geographically….. but to pay attention, make healthy choices, do the things you hate so you can be around to do the things you love. And I must admit that all of the spring flowers, budding trees, bird song and feathery clouds are most certainly great company.