We have all seen it written or heard it said, "the only things for sure are death and taxes." I know little about taxes, so we won't touch that one, but the question was posed to me: "If I'm just going to die anyway, what's the point of trying to stay healthy?" Cynical as that question was, it made me think for a minute, and raised the question: "Is living longer the same as prolonging death?" Short answer: "Sometimes!" Longer answer: "It doesn't have to!"
     Recently, I saw two pictures of two different people. Both women were almost exactly the same age. The first one was walking with a walker with assistance from a CNA. The woman was frail, wrinkled and helpless. She wore an oxygen hose and obviously lived in a nursing home.
     The other "girl" I'm going to say, was popping up out of the water after diving into a swimming pool. She had a look of purpose and vitality. She had muscle tone and firm skin and her freedom. The contrast was striking and almost as dramatic as the "I run east/I only run west" ads. The difference, though, is that the first comparison was not staged.
     By living active and eating healthy, you are able to control how you will live, how you will age, and maybe how you will die.
     Our state of mind is always up to us. Our greatest limitations are those we create ourselves within our own minds. If we choose to destroy our own lives, then we live with the consequences. We have notions of how we should control our emotions, such as not showing weakness by crying in public, not flying off the handle in anger, not doing something childish in public. Why can we not practice the same self control when it comes to our eating and exercise habits?
     Think about looking good and feeling better. Know that you want that and be willing to pay the price. Start by burning high quality fuel in your body's combustion chambers. Steer clear of the processed, refined, artificially concocted...can I call it food?
     There is a great program out there designed specifically for the professional driver. It is a book and exercise wheel called "Nineteen Wheels" 'The Professional Driver's Amateur Workout and Guide to Healthy Living on the Road.' Order it at www.safetythruwellness.com, watch the video, or order by phone at (406) 855-3582. There are many things in our lives that we cannot control. Wouldn't it feel great if there was at least something that we can control? There is!

Jack Kelsh
Safety thru Wellness