As If
I listen to and read many things. It helps me to find out the information I need to stay as healthy as possible. I share this information with my family in hopes they will also try to live a healthier lifestyle. Two of my daughters do well, my third daughter and my husband try in their own way. The other day as I was listening to my daily podcast the speaker talked about living, “As if”. I thought it was interesting and plan to give it a try.
Living ‘as if’
You may have already guessed this, but living, “As if”, basically means to go on with your life and live as if you would have had your present circumstances not been in the way. I know so many things in my life changed after I found out I had cancer. At that point, I don’t think I would have been able to live, ‘as if’ I didn’t have cancer because I was just trying to get through the day. I had to learn about my "new normal." It’s hard to think about having handled it any other way. Now, after living with cancer for seven years, I’m able to think about those words and put them to use. The past can’t be changed, but the present and future can bring new possibilities. The podcast gave another way to think about the words, ‘as if’ and that explanation made sense to me in my present life.
Living ‘as if’ after or with cancer
The second way to live, ‘as if’, that was described was to think of something you would like to do with your life and then live ‘as if’ you had already accomplished that goal. This was something I could wrap my mind around and start thinking of all the goals I would like to accomplish and how I could start living as if I had succeeded. But then I started thinking of my age, then my disease, that I watch my granddaughter most days and thought, how could I? I knew I was defeating the whole point of the podcast, but I didn’t know how to get around all the obstacles. However, I could take a few steps toward my goals even if I couldn’t live ‘as if’ yet. So I started taking a class.
Active aging here I come
About eight years ago I became a personal trainer. It was something I had wanted to do for a long time and I finally did it. It was hard, but I got that certificate and I felt great! I got a job at Planet Fitness and was running their 30-minute workout room and loving it. Then I got cancer and had to stop. I should have gotten back into it sooner, but I waited until last year to make a comeback and started working at our local Y. Not only was I only a personal trainer, I was also doing some health coaching. Then COVID hit and gyms closed. Thinking about living, ‘as if’ I decided to take a class on functional exercises for active aging. The class was important to me because I’m getting older and need the class myself, but there are also so many people I could help. So I’ve decided to start living 'as if' I am in great shape and am actively aging well. It’s what I can do and what I need to do.
Obstacles
Life is always going to give us obstacles but we have to get past them. Obstacles sometimes paralyze us, but they can also make us stronger. Either way, we have to keep going and moving forward.
Cancer is one of the obstacles we may face and it’s a big one. You or your family may be afflicted with the disease, but you can’t let that stop you. Cancer takes a lot from you, don’t let it take everything. Continue to do those things you enjoy. It may be different than before you had cancer, but so what. Things change all the time. Age is another issue. Just because you are getting older doesn’t mean life should stop. It means we are moving on to the next chapter in our lives. That’s what I’ve decided to do. As far as watching my granddaughter, well, she’ll just have to actively age with me!
Wishing you health & happiness.
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