Young - As a state of mind

Monarchs - Coed Softball Champs 2010

Ever hear the expression, "You are only as old as you feel"? Well that could never be more true than the day after any sort of sporting event for me. I know I am not getting any younger and certain experiences when I was younger have taken a toll on my body for the future. I just wish that the adrenaline rush I must have while playing in the games themselves would carry on to the morning after. I am currently playing for one baseball team (in two leagues) and one soccer league (as the goalie). Neither of which require me to do a ton of running at one time, but still take a lot out of my 32 year old frame.

Westampton Coed Softball Champs 2010

I love sports. I have been playing baseball since I was 5, played soccer from age 6-17 (when I broke my leg playing in a game) and went back to it again last winter (indoor) and then by just a random act of fate, ran into some of the guys I played with last year and they were in need of a goalie. I also bowl, golf, play pickup games of basketball and hockey if asked. I don't think I will stop playing sports unless 1. I have a child of my own, in which I will teach him/her everything I know about any sport they would like to play or 2. My body completely shuts down on me and I am physically unable to. Seeing as though I have played through many injuries in my days (including bowling 2 days after having arthroscopic shoulder surgery on my non-bowling shoulder), I don't expect that I will allow some basic aches and pains to slow me down. I will just continue to take my advil/aleve after, possibly ice down the knees or elbow, and do it all over again the next night.

Holly & I at Doubleday Field - Cooperstown, NY 2011 (Champions)

If you start letting your age dictate what you do, you will age much quicker than you should. You should be out enjoying the fresh air, taking walks with your loved ones or your dogs (if you have them) or in very extreme (and rare) cases, your cat. Not only are you giving them some exercise, you are getting some yourself. And who couldn't use a little daily exercise here and there? I recently realized how much television I was watching when I looked at our DVR list we made when we had planned to get a new DVR box. It is astonishing! I have made it a point that we take the dogs for more walks or play with them more in the back yard or at a park of sorts. I don't want us to just sit around on the couch like lazy bums while we still can be active and enjoy everything that there is out there.

"If you want something to happen, you have to really want it to happen." 

Nothing could be more true in my life right now. I want to be a healthy, active me, so I am going to do everything I can to make myself that. I want to have a happy, healthy, loving relationship with my wife, so I am working at it, step by step, so that I will be better for her and for us. I want to be a father some day, so I will do anything I can to make that happen. 

"... being brought up to believe that life was just easy. Life is not easy. If you take for granted that life will be easy, then anger develops, frustration, and riots." Dalai Lama (on UK riots - May 2012)

You have to do what makes you happy in life, but you also have to take care of yourself. Take care of yourself and those around you will want to take care of themselves as well (I know --- Sounds very Jerry Springer-ish, but I believe it). 

My 30th "Surprise" Birthday Party - The Family