KOACH'S KOMMANDMENTS

I gave a presentation a few years ago to a large audience.  I told them what my ideas were related to living a good life.  I labeled it "KOACH'S KOMMANDMENTS and the gist of the message is below.  

I hope it's meaningful to you, regardless of your age.  

KOACH’S

KOMMANDMENTS

Keep Weight Under Control 

      Terrible crisis!  More than 1/3 of population is obese!  Nearly 3 out of 4 men are considered overweight or obese.  Problem?  Too many calories coming in, too few being burned up.

Outlook Must be Positive

       One of the most important traits a person can have is optimism.  Is your cup half full or half empty?  Having a positive outlook is extremely important in overcoming illness.  I know, I've been there!

Make sure you serve!

    We all have an obligation to serve.  The opportunities are unlimited for you.  Give of yourself.  Give of your time and resources.  "As to whom much is given, much is expected".  Do your part.  Be a 'giver' not a 'taker'. 

Medicine

      25-40% of people don't take their medicine as prescribed.  If your doctor prescribes medicine for you, take it as instructed.  Refill as prescribed and follow directions.  Along same lines, YOU MUST TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR OWN HEALTH!  There is no white-haired old family friend/doctor to do it for you, it’s up to you!

A Renewed Faith

       Every tick of the clock takes us closer to Crossing the Bar. Whether 14, 44 or 84, we are all heading for the Other Side.  Make sure you are ready and have a personal relationship with God.

Not Old Thinking

      I'm not sure my Grandfather nor my mother would approve of me using this one....it formerly was the advertising slogan for a soft drink that we don't mention around my house.  But they had a wonderful slogan and it’s so true.  You need to "think young".  Note I did not say ACT young, I said think young.  You are what you think you are; if you view yourself as old, others will too.  My mother exemplified this, At 90 she was still able to laugh at her mistakes.  She learned to play the ukulele at 85.  She knew the trends and kept up.  She thought young, even at 93.

Demonstrate Your Love

     Demonstrate your love to your family and friends.  Tell them you love them, verbally.  Then demonstrate that love to them.  If you have hurt someone, ask their forgiveness.  If someone has hurt you, give it up, forgive them.  The bitterness you hold in your heart will negatively affect you more than them.

Mental Exercise

      You've got to exercise your mind just as you have to exercise your body.  Your mind will become less functional without use, same as your body.  Do different things with your mind.  Challenge yourself to learn things.  You can access more information in 1/2 a second on Google than you could research in a lifetime?  It's all there waiting for you, if you ask for it.    

Exercise Your Body

     Walk, get moving.  Get your heart pumping.  Lift weights.  You can get more exercise.  You can walk.  If you can't walk you can still do lifting exercise.  Do them daily.  Start slowly, but start now and keep it up!

Never Give Up

Because you never know what you’d do ‘til you’re the one facing a particular situation – even if you’ve been through “it” with someone near and dear – until it’s you – you don’t know what you’d do.  Remember, life is circumstantial; it teaches us and shapes us daily.

Tolerance/Non-Judgmental

      Despite what your Daddy thought, we don’t have a monopoly on right and wrong here in our little section of the world.  If I pulled one hair from my head, it would represent our small part of the world.  Be tolerant of others.  Just because you do something one way doesn't mean the person living down the street or on the other side of town that does it differently is wrong.  Heaven forbid, she may be right and YOU wrong.  Don't judge....unless your life is perfect, and I think the last man who lived a perfect life died about 2,000 years ago.  Be tolerant of your neighbor; be respectful of his culture, beliefs and customs. 

Stop Abusive Habits

     Unless you've been living in a cave, you know smoking is terribly bad for your health.  But there are many other things that you can do to your body, just as bad.  Abuse prescription drugs?  Alcohol?  Food?  The list is endless.  Stop rushing your death.  Take care of the only body that you will ever have.           

Kenneth Williams, @MarathonKoach.

To find all my longer “Tips from @MarathonKoach,” click HERE.

And if you’re interested in stories about running the world’s greatest marathon, check out BOSTONLOG.com!