Your Life Depends On It

On a birthday trip to New York City, arranged on the "quick count" by my husband in

typical dashing style, we found ourselves sitting at a healthy restaurant near Penn

Station for breakfast. Knowing that improving physical wellness and wellbeing is a

journey of continuous improvement, we tested out our resolve to adhere to our

commitments of healthy diet and exercise as much as one can on a holiday outing in

Manhattan. I passed many soft pretzel vendors, and instead succumbed to an Angus

cheeseburger with fresh mushrooms at another relatively healthy place later in the day

after at least (or so my feet would say) five miles of walking.

What struck me as curious (and our business always catalyzes this curiosity) was two

women seated near us, in a restaurant that did a good job of promoting nutritious

choices, among others. They both had coke (...) sandwiches with roast beef and

mayonnaise, and fries. I wondered if they knew the impact of their choices, particularly if

habitual, on the quality and longevity of their lives. Lest the reader think that my

observation is simply a negative admonition by an enthusiastic advocate for wellbeing,

the point of this observation has a far higher purpose.

Since we are curious as to what causes people to continue life shortening behaviors,

including ourselves at times, and more importantly what causes people to change, I

imagined that these women may just not know...not care...or are choosing the fast

food choice just this once. Throughout the day, we noticed all manner of less than

healthy behaviors, representing a range of severity of negative impacts on vitality.

In contrast, we were moved by demonstrations of amazing well-being; the joy of couples

hand- in- hand, having their picture snapped at Rockefeller Center, children hugged by

Mickey and Minnie Mouse outside Radio City Music Hall, to the delight of all, the

selfless bell ringing of Salvation Army volunteers, people walking instead of riding,

enjoying holiday music, and joining a community of prayer at a central house of

worship.

As 2024 looms notice what holds back healthy behaviors and what promotes them.

Research says that change requires a deep emotional connection to that "one thing"

that activates a new behavior. In those reflective moments, that "one thing" may

crystallize, like new fallen snow. Action steps toward optimal Wellbeing follow activating

thoughts. As Goethe said "Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. ...Begin it now"...your life depends on it.