I recall that as I was growing up my mother would frequently say that a person's health is the most important thing they have. At that time I heard her, but I really didn't 'hear' her, if you know what I mean. I mean really healthy doesn't taste very good, it isn't much fun, it takes work and heaven knows we have enough work as it is.

We've all heard that hindsight is 20-20. That definitely applies here. When many of us are young we prefer to do what we like now - immediate versus delayed gratification. In other words I WANT IT NOW! I don't want to wait. That is pretty much a western mentality, but our instant lifestyle is spreading around the world. Think about our society: the quick foods, the scanners at grocery stores, 24/7 weather and news via the internet, no longer having to wait for the 6 o'clock news.

We're all looking for that magic pill. The one we take once a month and it is time released, we don't even want to bother doing it daily. Then again some may want the magic pill to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. The problem is that our bodies don't work that way. Our body is truly a fantastic and miraculous creation. When you think about all that goes on without our intervention with the breathing, blood flow, cell repair, elimination, etc.

That is the gift each one of us has been given, so how are we maintaining it? Remember while there may be spare parts available to some, they are expensive, very high risk, and they don't come with any guarantee.

The reality is we have this one body to see us through this lifetime. As we get older, if we haven't been taking care of our body our cells won't regenerate in a healthy way. They will be slightly off each time, slightly less than healthy every year. It all adds up until we wake up one day with diabetes, an ulcer, a stroke or whatever. We've disregarded all the preventative maintenance and are now in replace and repair mode. The quality of our life changes almost overnight. The truth is that it's been changing every day but we were too busy to pay attention and deal with it.

I don't like telling others what to do, but let me make some personal observations. In the spirit of if I had to do it all over again. If I'd have to do it all over again:

I'd stop and smell the roses more often.

I'd eat much more natural food.

I'd eat more veggies and skip the pop and most of the steaks.

I'd take time to exercise every day, no excuses.

I'd simplify my lifestyle so I wouldn't be dependent on the corporate paycheck.

I'd drink more water every day.

I'd party less and get more rest.

So for me I'm changing right now to follow my own advice. How about you?