Saturday, January 31, 2009

Why Have a Goal Age?

When I was young, I had this youthful idea that there wasn't any reason I shouldn't live as long as my grandmother who passed away at 94 years. Maybe longer! I had no plan how I was going to get there, but frankly I didn't know I needed a plan!

But in my fifties, I had one of those V-8 moments and realized that since I had to have long-term and short-term goals for accomplishing my work, my financial dreams...really everything, why did I not use that same type of planning for my health? I can't really think of anything that allows you to just bump along like a twig in a stream with no rudder that ends with accomplishing something worthwhile! "The plan is the thing" as they say.

So many are living today with no thought about anything other than the immediate future. We're too busy, we have others to care for.... No plan, no goals, just walking day to day in the dark - little flashlight aimed at our toes. And then we have a heart attack and say "Whoa, how did that happen? How did I miss that boulder on the path?"

So we have decide first of all, how old do we want to be when we kick off? Everyone I know wants to have a good quality of life until the end. We have all kinds of tools at our disposal to help us have that. But first, what is that age for you? What is your long-term goal?

My goal is to make it to 100 years old, still moving under my own power, enjoying my family, nature, my dogs, reading and thinking! I want to attend the centarian celebration in my town and after that, I'm good.

So what is your goal age ladies? Before any other planning, let's decide that!