I just turned 50 years old end of May 2014. Lots of my friends have asked me how I stay looking so young. For one, I’m motivated by love. I want to love my wife, daughter, family, and friends for as long as I can. Because I want to live a long life expressing my love for these people, I do everything I can to extend my life. I take care of my mind, body, and soul by eating organic non-GMO foods. I do my best to avoid city water systems with chlorine and flouride. I like to get out for walks to breathe in fresh air. I like to get plenty of exercise by having fun instead of going to a gym. I’d rather chase kids around the yard than be inside a stuffy sweaty gym. I practice playing my guitar and making music with my family. We play together every Sunday in case we have forgotten to do so during the busy week. I also zap a lot, which I believe to be my personal secret of the universe.

Turning 50 was a big deal for me. When I was a Junior in High School I had a big accident on one of those large 3 wheel motor bikes and smashed myself up pretty bad. I had three vertebral subluxations in my spine and had torn all the ligaments in my right arm. I spent nearly a year in a back brace to help me heal. The Osteopath doctor told me that the massive damage I had due to my spinal injury, I may never live to see my 50th birthday. Because of this scare, I found myself obsessed with health. I started out with my own form of rehab by carefully playing my drum set. Slowly I got my arm to work again, and my back to have movement. I saw a chiropractor for years every other day to help me stay in line. I learned to eat well, get plenty of rest, and to appreciate every day of my life as if it may be my last. My accident gave me perspective on how fragile life can be.

I did a lot of reading then, since I couldn’t do much else. There is a bit of wisdom I learned from Benjamin Hoff and his book, The Tao Of Pooh: ‘One disease, long life; no disease, short life.’  A weakness can do you a big favor, if you acknowledge it. By approaching all things in life so as to find the strength and benefit, one can always come out on top. Every situation has an advantage. Find the advantage and live life well. I see every problem as a chance to discover a solution. In this way I turn problems into a game and make it child’s play. (Add a little mischief, and it can even be fun). Try not to take things so seriously that it ruins your good time. Spend as much time doing the things you love in life, follow your heart, and be motivated by that love.