What would you say to your older/younger you?
My 50 year old colleague recently had a quadruple bypass, which means 4 of his blood vessels are blocked and needed to be unblocked. His top most regret and advice to his 30 years old self and also to me, is this:
We should never stop exercising.
The moment he stopped exercising at 30 years old due to work, he could never find time to put it back on his schedule. Slowly and surely, he grew obese and failed to recognize the true priority in life - Health. Exercise should always be routine and no one could be so busy that they cannot afford to allow at least 15 minutes weekly. Even sacrificing sleep is worth while.
For famous figures like Obama, Lee Hsien Loong, Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Ma and many others, they recognized that exercise is not just a way to keep healthy, it is also a form of discipline and control in your life. Sometimes I don't feel like I want to get my butt moving but thinking of how it makes me feel afterwards- relaxed, energized, fresh, motivated, that is enough to keep me going and I hope I will remember what he said when I want to give up my exercise any day.
Similarly, I would like to tell my 50 year old self to keep taking risks and chances.
Why? Because I hope I would be financially stable by then. Children would be all grown up and hopefully don't require my constant attention. I would have more spare time and able to take some risks. I hope that I don't lost sight of my intention and desire to do something, to succeed in work and to find meaning in life. I would be financially independent that I can afford to quit my job and start my own if I want to. I would be comfortable but I do not want to be too scared to try something or to stop taking chances because I have to provide for my family. Family and health will continue to be my priorities in life but making sure I will be the best that I can be and do what I want to do will be the best way to live my life to the fullest.
After all, the worst that could happen is I lose some pocket money on any business ventures. What I got is a lifetime of no-regrets and precious experience.
Ok, remind me again in 20 plus years' time :)
We should never stop exercising.
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| Exercise for life (Source: wikipedia) |
For famous figures like Obama, Lee Hsien Loong, Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Ma and many others, they recognized that exercise is not just a way to keep healthy, it is also a form of discipline and control in your life. Sometimes I don't feel like I want to get my butt moving but thinking of how it makes me feel afterwards- relaxed, energized, fresh, motivated, that is enough to keep me going and I hope I will remember what he said when I want to give up my exercise any day.
Similarly, I would like to tell my 50 year old self to keep taking risks and chances.
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| Yeah, definitely! (Source: wikipedia) |
After all, the worst that could happen is I lose some pocket money on any business ventures. What I got is a lifetime of no-regrets and precious experience.
Ok, remind me again in 20 plus years' time :)
Jes
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exercise shd have higher priority than work
ReplyDeletebut sometimes we are too tired after a hard day's work
so try to exercise at least on weekends
Hi Jimmy,
DeleteSometimes weekends very nua leh... just feel like slacking or having fun outside the whole day. That's why I am more motivated on the weekdays. Do you like running or swimming?
i try to jog at least 1 time during weekend :)
Deleteweekday too late at night liao
Jes,
ReplyDeleteI'll tell the 28 years young me that I'll switch places with him - all my money and assets in exchange for youth!
And me at 28 will tell the 48 years young me to take a hike!
You think I stupid?
Ah!
30 is so young!!!
Stay beautiful; stay forever young at heart ;)
Hi SMOL,
DeleteThat's not very inspiring words for 28 or 48 years old people! Does it mean that you have some regrets on not optimizing your youth and your 28 years old self is kind of obnoxious? =P
Thank you, actually I am 28 years old.... it's only a number! You are still youthful at heart, don't forget that!
Jes,
DeleteInteresting that's your first impression ;)
When I were young, I always wanted to grow up quickly, start working and earn money. Best of all, no school!
Then when I were working, how I wish I can go back to those "carefree" days as a student. How nice if someone can pay me to study!
At different life stages of our lives, our thinking will change.
When you reach 48, see if you can remember my words when you look at yourself in the mirror ;)
All my gold for youth!
LOL!
Hi SMOL,
DeleteActually I am quite weird... I never wanted to go back to school. I love being an adult and enjoying my carefree days, even my work. You can take a MBA if you wanted to be a student but well, money flows out haha. Pay you to teach more likely la....
Yeah I think I will want to come back to my age now at my later years so as per your reminder, I have to fully enjoy my youth and do everything I want to! You can still do what you wanna do at 48 ok... don't stop taking chances, even in romance :)
It is not a bad idea to listen to people who have bigger numbers than us. Age that is.
ReplyDeleteBecause our imagination of our own future is generally faulty. Rather than imagination we could rely on others as surrogates for our future experience, because they might already be actually experiencing that future event right now that we are merely thinking about.
Simply ask them how they feel and what are their regrets.
But sadly, we don't utilise this, because we mostly see ourselves as unique and not average. This bias causes us to reject the lessons that the emotional experience of others could have taught us. Missed chance.
By the way most of the people I talked to mentioned regrets about not having done something. Hardly anybody regrets anything they have done.
That makes me think ... Just do it.
Hi Tacomob,
DeleteWelcome to my blog! I feel that even for people younger than us, we can learn from them, They provide interesting perspective and new angles so we can learn from everyone as long as we are keen to listen.
I like the way you describe it, on how our imagination of the future is faulty and require guidance. The lessons that the seniors advised may not be applicable in different generations but the wisdom and caution are always invaluable.
Spot on man! One of the top 5 regrets is that they work too much or not making themselves happier. I feel that people like to wait for a good time to do things like travel or meet friends and then ended up not doing anything fun at all.
I agree with you, just do it! I can see that you are having a good life now so enjoy :)
Past 40, one worries about personal finance. Past 45, one worries about deteriorating health. Need to invest in health like the way we invest in wealth. Good that you're reminding yourself early. 8)
ReplyDeleteHi Lizardo,
DeleteYeah man I have to keep reminding myself because sometimes, I just feel so lethargic to exercise! We do need the occasional pokes and reminders along the way on the important things in life so consider yourself reminded! :P
How about doing work that let you exercise while earning some keep? That's why I choose to teach yoga :D
ReplyDeleteHi Ellaa,
DeleteThen you are the lucky few! I thought yoga instructors don't really do the yoga exercises while they teach because they will walk around and correct postures. To be paid to exercise is the best!
Thanks for reading :)
Hi Jes,
ReplyDeleteHealth is top priority but distractions are plenty, hence discipline is needed. Glad u have that.
More than a yr back I read about a blogger named Mark Manson, where he asked those who are 37 or older to advise their 30 yr old self.
read http://www.rolfsuey.com/2014/04/10-lessons-that-will-help-you-excel-in.html?m=1
Hi Rolf,
DeleteGreat article... glad that I wrote on the 2 lessons here.. how coincidental! I am also working on a topic around "Don’t Spend Time With People Who Don’t Treat You Well"... we must really learn to let things/person go but it's so difficult!
Yeah I have no kids now so I could be disciplined but with more commitments and travelling piling up, I admit it would be a struggle to keep it up! I just have to keep reminding myself and good that you don't need any reminders :)
I always look forward to your input and thank you for reading my posts!
Hey Jes,
ReplyDeleteYou're definitely on the right track! Just read a New York Times article that states that viewing exercise as a fuel, something that revitalize and re-energize us works much better than treating it just as a goal to keep fit or lose weight. We try to sleep more, take supplements, drink tea/coffee or meditate to boost our performance, so why not see exercise as an alternative.
I know my older self will tell me to never stop exercising :)
Hi Coftea,
DeleteGreat article! That really explains a lot and is indeed true - we can see instant results from exercise as a stress releaser and energy booster. Weight loss is too long term, thus people are usually not so patient and hang on till the very end.
Thanks for reading and your older self is indeed wise :)
Hi Jes
ReplyDeleteNice blog and post you have. Youthful, full of positive energy and good content. I used to exercise every day until 2 years ago, when my wife pregnant and I became a devoted father. Having to spend quality time, I rarely have the opportunity and the motivation to start. The personal time I have is to write blog in between my time. haha. I should kick start my exercise soon.
Hi Frugal Daddy,
DeleteThank you so much for the compliments! All of us need reminders now and again to exercise and I hope I have reminded you to do so. Don't wait too long because your tummy will not wait for you... haha.
Anyway, you have a nice blog too and have linked you up! Enjoy your long weekend with the kick start you were saying =P
Hey Jes
ReplyDeleteYou should not be overly concerned with my tummy as my wife will be jealous. haha.
I have added your blog too. I am going to Taiwan next month with my wife and baby! I realise travelling is so much better and easier before my child was born. I travelled 3 times a year just before my wife is pregnant. Good to see you enjoying travelling and your YOLO lifestyle. keep it up!
Hi Frugal Daddy,
DeleteI think your wife will appreciate me being on her team to nag at you... hahaha.
Woah 3 times a year travelling is really a lot. I have not got around to writing my free and easy taiwan trips yet, and you prompted me to start soon. Anyway, I am sure you will resume travelling soon, the travel bug doesn't go away easily!
Thank you and hope to enjoy myself fully before getting pregnant =P