Today’s quick bite comes in response to a recently overheard comment by a preschooler in which she said it was not necessary to take care of her shoes because she could always just get a new pair. Is this surprising? Outgrown shoes and clothes are replaced with bigger sizes. A rundown car is replaced with a new one. Outdated electronics are updates with newer versions. Bad turns on a video game are fixed with a restart. Missed minutes on a television show are rewound to the beginning. Things more and more are not built to last and that is perpetuating a throwaway, start new minded society. It is good every now and then for kids and adults alike to be reminded of one thing that can not be replaced with a newer, improved version – their body. It is easy to take the body for granted and place its health at a lower priority, that is, until years of neglect catch up. Things done (eating a daily dose of junk food) or not done (opting for couch-time instead of being active) have an effect and can not be erased with a reboot, rewind, or restart.
Remind your children and yourself that you only get one body to carry you through your entire lifetime. Take care of it, keep it strong, keep it healthy, keep it loved, and it will take care of you.