Dear Doctor,
Among Father’s Days, this is kind of a weird one for me. Regina has a seminar
all day (who schedules a seminar on Father’s Day?) so we’ll rendezvous later for
dinner and a Steve Winwood concert with friends. I called my own dad in the
hospital, where he is recovering from surprise heart valve replacement (he’s
doing fine, thank you.) And then, there’s Tim Russert.
Considered the dean of political television commentators, Russert was a mainstay
in TV journalism for over two decades as moderator of “Meet The Press,” but his
star rose even higher with the publication of his bestselling books about
fatherhood. How ironic it is that “Big Russ and Me” will again climb the
literary charts, this time as a tribute to a son who left his dad too soon.
It’s said that no one knew more about or had more insight into presidential
elections, and speaking of irony, it’s flabbergasting that he won’t be around
during perhaps the defining election of our time, to add his brush strokes to
the information landscape as he has throughout so many races. You’d think he
would have found a way to hang out, just to see how this one finishes – but, it
was not to be.
Thinking about my own dad having that serious surgery, seeing Russert die so
young at 58 (I’m 54,) well, it makes me appreciate my many blessings, and not
take for granted even one moment. I realize that the gift of life can be
fragile, and we must be grateful for every bit of it, since it could disappear
suddenly, without notice. So hug your kids, express your love, but then, there’s
more you can do.
This is the crossroads of wellness – will you be cynical, pessimistic,
fatalistic and suicidal, since the odds are against being able to accomplish
perfect health and wellness, and not bother to select supportive health habits?
Or will you accept the challenge and be optimistic, joyful and inspired by human
potential, determined to make the most out of whatever circumstances you face?
What you think and how you respond will play a major role in the probability of
your longevity and quality of life.
The world at large is mostly unaffected by how you decide to show up – it keeps
spinning no matter what. The point is, you do what you do based on your
worldview and your identity, your sense of who you are and what beliefs,
behaviors and personality traits would accompany that kind of you. If you
perceive yourself to be a well person, then you’ll pick lifestyle patterns that
correspond to well people.
And if you happen to be a father, or have one, you could share this little idea.
Great fathers are great people who apply their greatness to being a father. And
part of being a great father is to be an example of effective decision-making,
not the least of which are health and wellness decisions. The best thing you can
do for your family, dads, is to stay around long enough to partake of as many
significant milestones as possible. Maybe there’s a lot to that equation that we
can’t control, but the parts we can, we should, and that means observing the
basics of good health for men, including stress management through exercise,
meditation and chiropractic care, sound nutrition and other lifestyle habits,
and a wellness-driven psychology that creates a positive mindset and attitude.
It’s not rocket surgery – common sense, values-driven decision-making and
consistent action make it more likely that you’ll be there to celebrate many
Father’s Days yet to come. Take your best shot.
Dr. Dennis Perman, for The Masters Circle
PS Our next ground-breaking event is a co-venture with Life University,
including a full day with Guy Riekeman – for info or to register, please call
800-451-4514, or go to
www.themasterscircle.com.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
