Michelle: I read an article entitled Life Handbook which contained nuggets of wisdom that are doable and essential to live a better life. I’d like to share some of the entries on health that I particularly like and should follow religiously: “Drink plenty of water,” “Eat more food that grows on trees and plants and eat less food that are manufactured in plants and has to be killed, bled, cured, aged, smoked, fried or frozen,” “Make time to pray,” “Take a 10-30 minute walk daily.” Truly, health is wealth. What good is money invested or saved for the future if we cannot enjoy it because it all goes to medication or treatment?
DJ: I’ve gained a lot of weight this year that almost every large-sized shirt I own appears like a baby tee on me. I learned that metabolism slows down by as much as five percent each decade after we turn 40. Controlling our calorie intake becomes more necessary as we age. I am also aiming at living a healthier lifestyle moving forward. Eating everything in moderation includes food items that are cured, aged, roasted and fried. Starving or depriving ourselves usually have immediate but short term results. More often, we end up eventually stuffing ourselves to satisfy our cravings. Having a small snack, for example, a few minutes before a party is a good technique. You’ll have more courage to turn down your girlfriend’s mother’s famous Lechon Kawali if you’re not going to the party famished.
Michelle: On the aspect of personality, the “handbook” advises: “Do not compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Each person has their place in the scheme of life. Also, don’t have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment—do what you can to make the world around you better. Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his or her mistakes of the past.” Did you not know, DJ, that women are good in archeology? We sometimes like digging up the past. Just recently, my subjects of choice are mathematics and finance. Let’s talk about this in future articles.
DJ: Sure, we can do that. The year 2016 has been a year of lessons for me. Lately, I am learning more about letting go. At work, this means choosing our battles. We can’t just accept everyone’s invitation to an argument. We’ll only end up losing our energy fighting over something we have very little control of. For relationships, this means not sweating on the small stuff. There’s more to appreciate about someone—like someone’s thoughtfulness, sense of humor and faithfulness. Never mind if she’s a self-proclaimed expert of the economy and chief critic of the incoming administration. It helps to develop a mindset that magnifies the good instead of the bad, the possibilities instead of the limitations, the appreciation for what is, instead of what is not.
Michelle: Life is difficult but it need not be complicated. Happiness can be achieved, according to the “handbook,” if we don’t waste time hating anyone and make peace with our past so it won’t spoil the present. It is also good to forgive and try to really forget. And my favorite—spend time with people over the age of 80 and under the age of six. That is why I treasure the moments I spend with my hubby and my kids. The wisdom of the learned and the innocence of the young are precious and priceless. You will be turning a year older in a couple of days, DJ. I wish you all the best. As the “handbook” says, “we only share this earth for a short time—why waste it on hateful thoughts and deeds when there is so much joy and happiness to discover and surround yourself with?” Let’s always be reminded that the best is yet to come. And with God, nothing is impossible.
DJ: Thanks, Mic! I commit to laugh more often this year. Laughter eases stress, lowers blood pressure and boosts our immune system. It’s best that we focus on our commonalities rather than our differences, to celebrate life and learn to roll with its punches. After all, it is our mastery of life’s pain that allows us to experience more of its joys.