Yes - you read that right. Because whilst many may well have a weight problem, I reckon a far greater threat to health, vitality and well-being lies in the waiting game.
This line of thought comes from a conversation I had with my 18-year-old daughter this week who is bogged down and bored with exams, the doldrums between school and (so-called) higher education (is it higher? Or just more?), plus the heady (and seemingly less hearty by-the-day) world of relationships.
She was fed-up and that struck me as a big fat shame; so young, and so already having the sheen taken off life, which – in my mid-life crisis – I'm so desperately trying to polish back on.
It occurred to me that if we live to the over-ripe old-age of 80, we'll have around 4,000 weeks dancing on this earth in this body looking at these words. Yes - it is frightening put like that. And you should be afraid; very afraid, as you're probably well into those weeks if you're old enough to still be buying and reading a newspaper!
I figure I've got about 2,000 weeks left if I do make it to 80 and probably around 1,000 of those feeling in tip-top physical shape, god-willing, until my mortal coil inevitably experiences the more noticeable effects of wear and tear. Not long. Yes, I've always known that life is short (yet curiously it's the longest thing we'll ever do), but sometimes a kick up the existential backside can work wonders.
Back to daughter and my advice to her was: "Enjoy it!" Cut down on the boredom, drama and worry; live fully, positively and take action to make your dreams come true. Make those 4,000 weeks count girl. Do your best in your exams; but don't strangle your beautiful spirit with stress; sure, go to university, but don't let it get in the way; and have a relationship, but remember if it hurts, it's not love.
More generally, who among us doesn't want to live in a 'better' way, being a 'better' person in a 'better' world? You Sir? Then you must be dead from the neck down!
Who doesn't have dreams, schemes and ideas that will move them from where they are now, to where they'd rather be?
Sure, there are exceptions to prove every rule, but the key point is: if it IS true, that we do want these things - each in our own way and with our own definition of 'better' - what are we waiting for?
That's your 'wait problem'. Are you waiting for enough time, enough money, enough support? You're not alone. But to all the worst-case scenarios, I say: "excuses, excuses, excuses". You know it's true. If not now, when? If not you, then who?
It just so happens that I'm reading a truly great book at the moment that addresses these very issues. Don't let the flippant title put you off or the fact that an American wrote it. It's just plain brilliant. It's called: "The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich" by Tim Ferriss.
"The biggest misconception about work is that you have to spend most of your life doing it. The idea of sacrificing 20-30 years in the prime of life should be seen for what it is: absolutely unnecessary," says Tim. I agree and I'm not waiting.
Whilst you may think lack of time, money or support are stopping you, I urge you to think again and just take a small step towards your ideals. If changing your life or sharing your vision seems risky, do it anyway – you might and probably will be - surprised.
You might give away that "big idea", get ripped off or get laughed at for having such ridiculous goals or aspirations – so it's better to stay small, right?
NO! I think not. I say it's time to share. It's time to get the support, skills and encouragement you need to get your better life, and your big idea – out of your heart, out of your mind – and into the world.
You've nothing to lose but your fear and the life you dream of retiring from one day! Once it was enough to seize the day; now I ask you to seize the moment. 4,000 and counting down…
He (or she) who hesitates is lost (with a big fat wait problem).
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