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4. Your family is dieing off ? your sister and your mother have both passed away. You also have your fair share of health problems. Are you concerned for your future?
This is a very personal question ? but yes. The birth of our daughter Mackenzie last year made me realize that being 46 may be an age she would regret if I don?t live longer. My dad is in his mid 80?s so I was born when he was in his early 40?s, but I don?t want her or any future children to grow up feeling that they got ripped off because they only lived to 30 or so and their dad dies of old age.
In saying that I have diabetes and ulcerative colitis I got when I was around 12 years old. Thankfully I try to keep myself active with karate classes and watch my diet. Also I have learned that running your body and mind to the max daily is simply not good for your health. In fact stress will kill you sooner.
You do better at your job if you only take time for yourself. I see webmasters, reps and owners running themselves almost 24/7 pushing the limits all the time. What is sad is that they don?t realize that it will only do their body damage and shorten their life span. You can achieve all the tasks ahead of you, and probably more if you have a healthy body and mind to go along with it.
Similar to a runner or a car that is kept moving at top speed all the time without a break ? eventually something is going to give and break down. Is life that invaluable that you feel burning it off with stress and tension is the best way?
Men/women who work so hard to achieve financial success that in doing so ? loose their families and personal values to get it? That?s not a life. I worked for many years with seniors who had that lifestyle, and all I kept hearing is regret. They missed out on the greatest moments of their life because they burned themselves out to soon. What?s all the money in the world going to do you if you die alone and missed out on what it truly means to live? I talk to webmasters and people who seriously consider suicide and the only thing that keeps them alive is work, sex or drugs. They do not consider what their life will be like in a few years - or the consequences. I am a strong supporter of a balanced life that will make you a better and smarter employee/person.
Personally - I use to smoke 3 packs of cigarettes a day a few years ago and lived off of junk/fast food - coffee and heavy pain med's before I met my wife. Now I am clean ? I haven?t smoked in over 3 years except a cigar or two per year and only smoke occasionally at trade shows and watch my carb?s daily. A week ago the doctor said that I am healthy with a strong heart rate of a younger man ? excellent control of my sugars/carbs and overall have it all under control. To date I am the happiest I ever have been in all my years, even with all the physical problems, I would not change a thing. I have what so many wish to achieve - peace of mind - body and soul.
I want to achieve living well into my 90s and with future medical break-thru?s I feel that is possible ? but if not ? the best ?legacy? I can give her is that from day one every time my daughter looks up to see daddy?s face, he is smiling back at her. She will know she?s loved but also I want to instill in her the ability to make choices properly. She won?t fear strangers ? but strange behavior. Nothing more ? nothing less.
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