I was recently listening online to a sermon by Tony Campolo. It was titled "If I Had It to Live Over Again." It was based on a study of 50 people over the age of 95 in which they were asked, "What would you do differently if you lived life over again?" There were three common themes that emerged in the study.

1. They would reflect more.

2. They would risk more.

3. They would do more things that would live on beyond them.

I can see how living by these three principles would lead to a better and more satisfying life. You can probably figure out how they might apply to your own life if you take the time to ponder them.

One of the things I am interested in as a physician, writer and speaker is how the principles of living a good life apply to the concept of living a healthy life. Like those people interviewed in the study, I want to live to be 95 or 100, and I suspect that many of you do as well. Many of my patients over age 65 frequently add that they don't want to live that long unless they are healthy. I just assumed that everyone would want to live to be 100, but my wiser patients remind me that being old, sick and frail is not a life worth living.

Reflect on Healthy Living

With that in mind, how can we apply these three principles of a good life to enjoy health to age 95? The first step is to reflect more about health. Take just a few minutes at the beginning and end of each day to think about what you can do to be healthier. You can also think about what you did earlier in the day to improve your health. What worked well for you? What can you improve on? What might you need to learn next to be healthy?

Reflecting means more than thinking about ways to improve your health. It also means that you should stop and enjoy the process of being healthy. As you are exercising or eating a healthy meal, slow down and savor the experience. Feel your heart beating as you walk or jog the last few yards. Enjoy the taste of perfectly prepared vegetables. Life is lived as a series of present moments, so stop and reflect as they occur.

Second, you should risk more. Be willing to stretch beyond your current experiences. Take a chance and do something you have always dreamed of doing but were afraid to try. Imagine what it is you would do if you knew you could not fail. Who would you become? What would you do? Who would you get to know? Where would you go?

Risk Being Healthy

Risk improving your health. Go and join the gym that you have been considering. Make those improvements in your diet that you have been promising yourself that you would make. Try it for 30 days. Risk does not have to be huge and imposing. It can simply be trying something that you are afraid that you can't accomplish. You might be afraid that you can't stop eating red meat or that you can't sustain an exercise program, but just take the risk and begin now.

Leave a Healthy Legacy

Finally, begin doing those things which will outlive you. Learn to leave a legacy. Remember that your quest for good health does not just affect you. Your choices, decisions, and actions influence everyone around you. Your children and grandchildren learn from you. If they see you exercising and eating healthy, they are more likely to do it themselves. If you decide not to have a dessert at work but to have a salad instead, your coworkers may do the same. We do not live in isolation. We influence and are influenced by those around us. When you make good decisions and take productive action about your health, you will make a positive difference for the people in your lives.

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About The Author:

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Dr. Doug Fullington is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician with a busy practice filled with wonderful patients. He is passionate about helping people learn how to Achieve Maximum Health. If you would like for Dr. Fullington to speak to your group or organization, you may contact him at http://www.DrDougFullington.com

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