Please note: the information contained within this excerpt is intended for educational purposes. It is not intended to replace advice given by healing professionals for those whose conditions require them.

CROSS AT THE LIGHTS by Helen Hall, MEd

Life, and living, is not simply about avoiding the Mac Truck when crossing the road. It is about making choices today that will affect our lives, as well as those who love us, in the future. You can either: play on the road; play chicken with the Mac truck; OR find a safe place to cross and always "cross at the lights".

If we relate this metaphor to health we see that life is not only about avoiding the big heart attack (Mac truck), it is about health and physical well being throughout our entire lives. What is the point of living a long time if we are living in pain or severe physical impairment during the final phase which might last 5, 10 or even 20 years? That's not living. It's simply not dying.

The important thing, as I see it, is about making choices today to ensure our time, as much as possible, is pain free and we are physically capable to do the things that bring us happiness. That includes being able to take ourselves to the toilet and enjoy the Grandchildren and feel the seasons come and go. Crossing at the lights ensures, as best as you can, that you will make it to the other side of the road unharmed. A little bit of physical insurance taken early, and frequently enough, in life will also ensure you get to the 'other' side in good condition.

If ...... you play on the road being ignorant of the damage that the traffic can cause, you will very soon find out and will be hurt, maimed or worse - killed. This option does, however, give you total freedom to be ignorant and irresponsible - the "head in the sand approach to life".

This part of the metaphor relates to our self education of health and fitness. It is absurd that people continue to put poor quality fuel in their engine and then are devastated when it won't start up and go around the block anymore. Some people are just plain unlucky - the very small minority. Others are poking their tongue at wisdom playing Russian Roulette with their health. It's just a matter of time for them.

Unfortunately their blind ignorance affects the ones who love them also. It's a painful scenario for everyone concerned when a life threatening illness comes knocking on your door. This is the "it won't happen to me" approach to life.

If ...... you play 'chicken' with the Mac trucks on the road, choosing to taunt the vehicle that will do the most damage and flirting with the laws of probability, you will also soon find that your number comes up prematurely. This option may be stimulating, fun, exciting, risky and even 'cool' if you are part of a group. This is the "I don't give a damn about myself or anyone else approach to life".

Then there are people who knowingly put huge quantities of toxins in their body regularly. They smoke, drink to excess, eat all the wrong kinds of food in excess, take drugs, over-train their bodies, or expect their engine to run forever on stress fuel alone. These people give their body no quality fuel but ask for marathon performance from it day in, day out, for months, years, a lifetime. Such stress and abuse eventually seizes the engine or, at the very least, parts wear out. Sometimes when the breakdown occurs, parts have worn out completely. The 'reconditioned engine' or replacement part sometimes takes a long time to build. Of course, it is never as good as the original model and it will never perform optimally with missing or broken parts. This is the "I'm invincible" approach to life.

If, however ...... you choose to "cross at the lights" you optimise your chances of getting to the other side safely. Hell - you can even cross the road again tomorrow at a different crossing if you want. There is still a risk involved as a crazed driver could still career through the crossing and collect you on the way. That's plain bad luck despite your diligence of being careful. Your chances of being safe and well for a long time are far superior to the other two options when you choose to cross at the lights.
This relates to taking a little bit of 'life' insurance out for your own future. 'Health' insurance as we know it is really 'sickness' or 'injury' insurance. We need it when have become sick, injured, when our teeth have begun to decay, our eyesight has begun to fail, or when parts are hurting. In most cases, health insurance is needed after we have started to break down. Traditional medicine is focused primarily on early detection. What if it were possible to reduce the incidence of occurrence? Pre- 'early detection' is what I am passionate about.

I would like to recommend that you bring your attention a little more present time - to today. What you do today will show up in your 'health status' later. Small smart steps taken today will be the best 'health' insurance you will ever find. It is preventative and a very low risk investment. The high risk investor will wait until there is a metastasised lump, persistent chest pain before focusing attention on their body and health. In most instances that time is too late for full recovery to be a possibility.

There are actions we can take long before we become symptomatic or need to see a doctor. Can you imagine being a doctor when 99% of the time you are seeing people who are already symptomatic of something significant enough to get them to your surgery. Quite often our doctors only see us when we are crook. Sometimes I feel like going in to see my Doctor when I am really well so that I can say, "Look, this is what I'm like when I feel great. I have loads of energy, I'm really bright, alert and enthusiastic about life. I have nothing but good thoughts in my head and I'm thrilled to be alive. How can we maintain this forever?" Unfortunately that is not what their education was focused on.

We can educate ourselves of the basics, though. Time is on our side and our bodies are very forgiving. If we take small steps toward our health and optimal physical functioning, our body will thank us. It is my intention that these small steps are introduced to your daily choice bank. My advice is that you (and those you care about) continue - or begin - 'crossing at the lights' and make it a health habit.

It's your choice...

There are a few points worth noting in relation to this "cross at the lights" mode of operation in life .

1a. Look for the safe crossing every time you cross the road. This requires research and accurate information.

2a. Remember to cross there every time. This requires prioritizing the benefits of crossing there and keeping that in your awareness. Make this the filter through which you make your choices.

3a. Walk the extra distance to the crossing. This requires a little more effort.

4a. Wait for the 'go' signal. This requires patience and a mature understanding of your timeline.

5a. Walk (don't run) across the road safely. This requires balance, co-ordination, and a consistent effort.

6a. Think about all the people who are glad that you made that crossing safely now that you are safely on the other side. This requires quiet, still time to reflect on what actions enabled you to cross safely again and time to set the intention to repeat this action not only for yourself but for those close to you as well.
 
We can draw a parallel with this 'cross at the lights' analogy and your health and fitness.

To optimise your health:

1. Cultivate a willingness to ask for and receive accurate information. I have utilised my research skills and provided a synthesis of that information.

2. Prioritize your health for you and others. If you take your health for granted and ignore your body signals, it will scream at you eventually. Tune into your body and notice your health today rather than your illness tomorrow.

3. Make a little effort and take some steps toward healthy lifestyle choices. With the right information, you can choose what those steps are for you - not too much nor too little.

4. Sometimes waiting and patience are the best steps you can be taking for your health. Recovery time from an injury or illness are steps we sometimes forget to take. Remember, we turn the engine off in our car when we arrive at our destination - it is important that we do this for our health also.

5. Take some frequent and consistent action with your whole body in a functional way. A little bit every day is all that is required.

6. And lastly, if you won't do it for yourself - do it for those who love you as there are plenty of them out there who want you to take these steps.

If, after you have become better informed, you still choose to play 'chicken' with the Mac Truck, and not cross at the lights that is your choice. It is my intention, however, that it be an educated choice.