Living With Intention

Random Wow Factor Moment

I'm buzzing along here, trying with every fiber of my being to avoid mowing through the inordinately overwhelming heaps of dirty laundry in my house.  I contemplate my new mediterranean eating habits while gnawing on a chocolate chip cookie, leaf distractedly through my latest Writer's Digest (rather than actually writing), and sing a few exceptionally grating show-tune renditions of children's songs with my daughter.  Still the laundry beckons.

I call my stepdaughter, Rhiannon, to inquire about the progress on her new home, which is closing this week.  Satisfied that I am up to speed on the status of the new carpet debacle and, even more satisfied that it is her carpet debacle and not my own (trust me, I have a sufficient number of my own debacles as of late to willingly take on others'), I hang up the phone.  Still the laundry beckons. 

I log on to rabidly purge the latest flood of spam in my in-box, meander the web for a few moments searching for fabulous products for my new women's venture, and  gently wade into the land of online shopping cart research.  Still the laundry beckons.

And then it happened.  The purpose of my laundry-avoidance escapade smacked me in the forehead.  I stumbled across Carla Blazek's (owner of the fabulous Zena Moon, Gifts for the Spirit) blog.  Her most recent posting, Open Up and Say Whoa, really spoke to me.  The post references a wonderful passage from Jennifer Louden, which reads:

Whenever life makes itself known to you,
there is your path.
Whenever desire gives her come hither look,
whenever trust flutters its wings,
whenever mystery is received into your belly,
there is your path.

Whenever time turns into prayer,
whenever love jiggles the doorknob,
whenever you rest in witnessing,
There is your path.
Jennifer Louden

Like Carla, this passage was a random wow factor moment for me.  It made me stop, reflect, and decide that today...my path is out the door, away from the laundry, seeking what life has to offer.  And so, the laundry still beckons and I can't hear it.  Because thankfully I'm on my path, miles away from it!

Your Real Age--Health Info You'll Want to Know

My good friend, Kate Spencer, editor of Imagine Magazine, recently turned me on to the Real Age website.  This is a fabulous (and fabulously free!) resource from Dr. Mike Roizen and Dr. Mehmet Oz, authors of the bestselling book, You:  The Owner's Manual.  The coolest tool on this site is the Real Age Test, a free online assessment that can tell you how your health history and lifestyle habits are impacting your well-being and your aging process. 

After completing the assessment, you will receive a personalized report detailing your Real Age, which could be substantially different from your chronological age, due to the vast array of factors that contribute to your health status.  So, if you are a smoker who eats huge quantities of red meat and never exercises, your real age might be significantly higher than your chronological age.  And, if you eat a healthy, diverse diet, exercise reguarly, and have a wide network of social support, your real age might be notably lower than your chronological age.

After learning the factors that are contributing to your Real Age, the website also provides you with a complimentary report detailing which health and lifestyle habits are enhancing and which are detracting from your well-being.  It also provides you with recommendations on how you can influence your health--and your Real Age--in positive ways by focusing on factors ranging from diet, physical activity, and emotional health, to stress, sleep habits, and even cell phone usage. 

I can't say enough good things about this site and the quality resources it provides, including its Real Age Tip of the day.  Log on to Real Age now to see for yourself and to learn some simple, proven tips for improving your health, well-being, and how well you age!