It’s so easy to blame our genes on our family.  

I have a bad back because my dad had a bad back-I used that!

I’m going to get cancer because my grandparents died of cancer- I feared that!

Of course biologically we are made up of genes from our parents, but we don’t have to be our parents genes.  

So how can we change this?

According to the Stanford Longevity Center  “In the United States as many as half of today’s 5 year olds can expect to live to the age of 100.”

How will this happen if we continue to carry on our family biology?

“While there is no way to stop the process of aging, the emerging field of geroscience has the potential to transform how we age, by seeing to identify - and “reprogram” - the fenetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms that make age the dominant risk factor for certain diseases and degenerative conditions.” ~Stanford Longevity Center

Living (aka aging) takes some good work. Moving our bodies daily, continuing learning and challenging our brains, make sure we are surrounded by a community to keep us socially active, save from an early age to enjoy our later years. Take charge of our health by eating healthy, not smoking, and drinking alcohol to excess. 

I want you to know I understand the privilege I have to be healthy and have access to walking safely and exercise equipment, but I also believe we can make good choices as hard or as boring as they may be. 

For example: 

I make sure I mobilize and strengthen my back 

I don’t smoke as my grandparents all died from lung cancer due to smoking, I do drink, but with enjoyment.

I love learning about the world, travel, other people, and work on my faith and friendships

I love to exercise and love to share what I find with you. 

When my knees were torn up, I made sure I got them fixed so I could enjoy what I love to do. 

The Stanford Longevity Center tells us that for us to live a longer and healthier life we all have to work together “ it is an all-hands, all-sector undertaking, requiring the best ideas from the private sector, government, medicine, academia, and philanthropy.”

Each day is a blessing, so take a moment to work on how you want to enjoy living.