How to stay young ...

Today I exchanged a few e-mails with a good friend of mine, Greg Kogut. Greg is a fellow West Pointer and former roommate. He was a cadet company commander when we were back at the Point. I was one of the platoon leaders in B1 at that time. His career and my own crossed paths several times along the way. We both went to the Armor/Cavalry Basic Course together, we both served on the Blackhorse Regimental Staff, and we commanded sister units as captains. He went off to compete for an officer's billet on the "Delta Team" -- a very mentally and physically demanding stretch assignment. He gave it his best and came up short of the mark. And according to Greg, "They never tell you why you don't make it, they just tell you to try again if you can and wish you luck in your next assignment." I went into a R&D assignment -- a mentally simulating tour of duty but I genuinely can't say that it taxed me very much from a physical fitness point of view.

Years ago the two of us got together in Germany and later on that same trip Switzerland. We climbed the Zugspitze together and later the Rimfischorn. Foul weather kept us from climbing the Matterhorn but that was our next mountain if we hadn't run out of time, money, or good weather. Greg is the sort of fellow you'd trust on the other end of a climbing rope. "On belay!"

Today is Greg's Birthday. I woke up this morning with a sense that today was a special day. I couldn't remember exactly; but I sensed that it was an important day. Yeap, it is an important day. For Greg is the fellow who introduced me to the Body-for-Life program. He's a true friend.

Since those days in the military and/or having fun as climbing buddies, I've been inspired by my friend. He took up cross-country skiing. He's run in marathons. He keeps in touch.

Below is a list he sent me regarding: "How to stay young." Enjoy.

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1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them "

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets,keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

And if you don't send this to at least 8 people - who cares? But do share this with someone. We all need to live life to its fullest each day!!
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PS: If this list is too long for you, here's a one-liner...

The way to stay young is to find yourself a true friend like Greg.

Believe, achieve, inspire.