Being healthy - Important or Urgent?

Face of the doctor was grim as James fought for his life. He was pale. Doctors were trying to resurrect him. They were trying frantically. 100 kg of weight, high blood pressure, diabetes, hyper thyroid and what not. Everything was making it difficult for doctors to revive him. His terrified wife was looking through the window of the ICU, as his two small kids clenched her hand in anticipation of what will happen next.

James was not like this before. He was not obese or suffered with so many health complications. He was once a very good sports person. He played several out door games during his school and college days. But, gradually the busyness of life took over him. He managed projects worth millions, earned good money, travelled across the globe. But he had no time for himself. No time to exercise or hit the gym. No time for post dinner walks with his wife. After all, he had to earn big money. Buy a big car. Own a big House. Can you imagine, a person managing projects worth millions unable to manage his own life? What a paradox???

Who is James? He is not a stranger. He is one of us. Like you and me. And, this is our story. This is the story of many of our relatives and friends. If this is not a reality today, god forbid, it can be in future. Our health always takes back seat till something catastrophic happens. Catastrophic like diabetes, hyper tension and in worst cases heart attack. Some survive, some don’t.

We all know it. But still, our health doesn’t figure out in our schedules. We might be making elaborate plans for daily lunch and dinner, weekend movies or partying with friends. But plans for healthy living? Never! We make resolutions every new-year and ruthlessly break them. Diet plans drown in the watering mouth the moment we pass through the pizza, pasta or chicken curry restaurant. We actually end up practicing the art of die eating. Our pledge to hit the treadmill 4 days a week dies an unceremonious death as more important and urgent things take over. How often do you say - Where do I have time to go to gym when I reach home only at 9:00 PM from work? We always have so many pressing issues. Or excuses?

You cannot escape. Merely closing your eyes and thinking everything is fine will not make you healthy. You have to act and act, now! Before, it gets too late. You knowingly cannot make the same mistake that James made.

My running at 5:00 AM in the morning doesn’t make me a world class marathon runner. But it keeps me healthy. Gives me immense confidence. Refreshes me to take the bashing of a stressful day. It helps me ignite my thoughts, which are usually overshadowed in the busyness of life. In nutshell, it brings out the best in me.

But, the time still remains the problem. Time is biggest culprit in our lives. We are always short of time. We have so many things to do but cannot because of time. But, remember friends, 24 hours in a day will never become 26 hours to help you accommodate these very very critical things in life. So whatever you have to do has to be done in these 24 hours. No matter how busy you think you are, it is you who has to find time for your own things. No one else can do those things for you. Imagine, your wife running in the treadmill on your behalf and you pelting and sweating in the couch watching TV. Pleasant, but impossible.

I advise you make a list of things that are important to you. Important to you as an individual, as a spouse or a parent. List them down. Every time you do anything, ask yourself; is this thing important for me? Go back to the list of important things you have made. For example, on a Friday morning you are surfing TV channels. Ask yourself, is some thing more important waiting for me? As a father, may be a walk with your child to the beach more important for you than watching TV. Or pursuing your hobbies during weekends rather than window shopping in the malls.

Don’t confuse between urgent and important things. Urgent things always take priority and important things are ignored till they become urgent. All I am saying is take care of important things. Identify them and finish them at the earliest. Never ignore them or procrastinate them. You will soon see that you have deleted so many urgent things from your life. You will see you have so much time for important things. Specially something as important as your health. Try it. It has never failed.

At 76, my father is a very busy person with his exercise schedule and gardening every day. He does all his personal chores by himself. His diet is much better than mine. He didn’t get all of it in one day. He played tennis and football even at the age of 55 years. Despite his busy schedule as a scientist, he was always consistent with his workouts. Everything is paying off now.

Every second day we read, listen or watch programmes on healthy living. And as soon as our attention shifts, we simply press Shift and Delete keys in our mind and dhoooop its gone, deleted permanently from the memory. But today before you press these mental buttons - Think of James. Think how lovely is the life without ailments. Think just changing priority can change your life.

Friends, buying insurance policy doesn’t assure you a healthy and fun filled life. You don’t need a shock treatment like James, you need a wishful thinking to judge - what is important for you? You might be managing projects and businesses worth millions. But, it has no value when you are unable to enjoy it?

Wake up friends!!! Wake up and take charge of the moment. Else, this will not be the story of James here. It would be yours.