Better

“When you take care of yourself, you're a better person for others. When you feel good about yourself, you treat others better.” (Solange Knowles)

In addition to my current weight loss, there are several other things (that come to mind) that I do on a regular basis that makes me feel better about whom I am in my life right now. When I was younger, I never could understand why a man would do this, but every couple of months, my wife helps me to externally visit “the fountain of youth.” On the inside I am still a man in my mid fifties, but on the outside people have guessed I was in my late fourties.

My wife colors my hair. “Today, 11 percent of men ages 50 to 64 dye their hair; up from 7 percent in 2010, which was a rise from just 2 percent in 1999.” (Multi-sponsor Surveys) I have no idea when I will stop doing this because right now my face is wrinkle free (like a much younger man). I think pure white gray hair (like actor Steve Martin) is beautiful, but I am not a big fan of the salt and pepper look that I have.  For me, colored hair makes me more confident in the person I know I am.

Every six months, I go to my orthopedic sports doctor, to get a SynVisc One shot in both of my knees for the arthritis I have. As long as these shots continue to work, I don’t have to think about knee surgery. When the pain is gone for awhile, I don’t feel older than I am, and I am able to get involved in all the things I enjoy (as I easily move from here to there with no discomfort).

I love to laugh as much as I can. I believe, laughter gives you a better outlook on life. When you’re happy, it’s easier to sort through the good and bad of life. You don’t feel as overwhelmed either. Proverbs 17:22 (ICB): A happy heart is like good medicine.  But a broken spirit drains your strength. I agree with this verse. I have my favorite situational comedies (sitcoms) and stand-up comedians that I love to watch because they make me laugh.

After I laugh, whatever was bothering me doesn’t quite seem as horrible as it was before. This world would be a better place (in all ways) if we just laughed a bit more, and stopped taking ourselves so seriously. Life can be humorous just look for it. Laughter is all around you.