I have a confession to make - I am a slave.
I have been slaving away this summer to complete a first novel and neglecting my body by not feeding and exercising it right. I have become a slave to writing; my back aches and muscles ache. I sit at my computer for more hours than it is accustomed, slaving over a word, a paragraph, sentence structure, plot, character, theme, scene. I am a slave, a lonely writer sitting at the computer with the intention of one thing - completing a 70,000 word manuscript.
Shouldn't I be doing something else; something I enjoy?
Well, I am doing what I enjoy - writing. No one ever told me in journalism class what it takes to write a novel. Journalism and creative writing are two separate cats in a sack - fighting and clawing at one another. The creative think tanks in novel writing chide me to "show," not "tell," when writing fiction. As a journalist it was my duty to tell. Now I've got to show? If I wanted to "show," wouldn't I be producing films or movies? I get it, however. People want to see action, suspense, horror, death, romance, magic, mystery. Readers want to feel, see, hear and touch your characters as your words spill across a stupid piece of paper. The readers want to ride along with you every mile of the road to the climax. You bring them there by pacing the novel so your reader is set up to be thrilled or chilled.
This has been part of my scheme, however, since as far back as I can remember. It was one person's dream, mine alone. My goals were set four to five decades ago when someone told me I was a good writer. I decided back in those renaissance years to write. My plan after I retired would be writing fiction. Well, here I am. I'm not getting any younger and I have become a slave to writing fiction. I never knew there were so many ingredients to writing a good novel. I am still learning as I age.
I know this can't be right. I don't own my body any longer. That was never my intention.
While some retirees stress over what they would like to be doing at this stage in their life, I am writing a silly novel. You've got to wonder what I am thinking.
I actually know what I should and shouldn't be doing, but I do it not.
Healthy aging is the process of taking charge of your wellbeing as you age. Healthy aging is one of the few things in life that's actually in our control.
Although most people don't start talking about healthy aging until they hit mid-life, true healthy aging begins when we're young. It continues until we can continue no more in this physical body on earth. But we can control healthy aging in the development and maintenance of optimal physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
Enjoying healthy aging depends on two things: what you do (your actions) and what you think (your attitudes and your beliefs).
Along the way, however, I have learned to have an open mind. If you think in terms of possibility not in terms of impossibility and willing to accept new concepts and new ways of seeing the world; you are aging healthy.
An open mind gives us access to healthy aging tools you wouldn't consider if your mind was closed. It also uses those brain cells more.
If by letting go of the past, thinking what might have been, should have been, or could have been; you are aging healthy.
There's just what was, what is, and what will be. No judgment.
Regrets, resentments, and grief are major barriers to healthy aging. They create stress on our body's cells.
Be grateful for what you have. Gratitude is one of the most positive vibrations you can have.
Healthy aging is all about healthy energy. When you can fill yourself with healthy energy, exude healthy energy, and vibrate at a high energetic level, you slow the aging process and optimize your well being.
Live like you have plenty of time. Forget the "live as if each day was your last" advice. Yes, you want to cherish each day, but don't expect your days to be finite. Plan, dream, and grow, and expect to do so indefinitely. Your expectation can create your reality.
Healthy aging is in my/our control. Your actions and your thoughts will determine the level of health and wellbeing you get to enjoy. Choose the best actions and the best attitudes and beliefs, and you'll enjoy healthy aging.
Slaves are chattel property. Their bodies are owned by someone else. They are not empowered to make decisions about their bodies and they are powerless to decide upon, or protest, its use and misuse. If someone determines for you what happens to your body without your consent or participation, you are a slave.
If you do not own your body, you are a slave.
I learned this lesson the hard way last weekend when my wife had to help me out of the recliner due to an achy, breaky back.
I'm taking my body back, but I am still going to write. Praise God.
John W. Cargile, Msc. D, D.D.
