“It doesn’t mean that much to me to mean that much to you.” Neil Young sang this verse in his song “Old Man.” Significant others; we all have them, and we all have had them: those that have impacted our life in such a way that we can still hear their voice calling us long after they have passed on. My dad was very significant in my life. He was hypercritical, I always sought his approval—it was tough to get. Sometimes I just wanted to give up. I mean, what’s the use in trying? I thought, “Can’t please the old man no matter what I do.” The story is too long to tell here, but after he attended one of my baseball games and saw, I mean really saw the type of baseball player I was, he told me that he was so proud of me and hugged me. I don’t think he had a clue as to what that meant to me. I forgot all the past criticism and have hung on to those words to this day. He probably changed my life and didn’t even know it. Whether we want to believe it or not, as adults, we are significant to others right now. It’s time to realize how much we mean to our children, our spouses, and our friends. How much does it really mean to you to mean that much to another person? It doesn’t matter what you have said or done in the past; a life can be changed with the right words at the right time.

My question to you today is are you aware of how much you actually mean to your spouse, your children and many other people who see the world as a much better place with you in it. When I had my quadruple by-pass surgery it really hit me just how much I meant to my family. It did mean a lot to me to mean that much to them. My health became almost a second full time job, a job that I really embraced and enjoyed. Walking, weightlifting, jumping rope and anything that got and kept me moving became a large part of my life. I realized that my family needed me but more than that they wanted me. They wanted me to be part of their day and their life. Your family wants and needs you as well, don’t deprive them of your presence, let them continue to enjoy you for as long as the universe allows. Don’t short yourself or your family. If you ever question whether or not you should take that walk consider what you can do with another 20 healthy years. What can you do with your family and what can you do for them. The price of death doesn’t impact the deceased, but rather the family that’s left behind. So don’t wait, take that walk, get in your steps and while you are at it bring your family along you will enjoy the company and so will they. Be Simply Fit.