Well I "did" walk a bunch when I was a kid. From beside the (then) Storyland Valley Zoo all the way up to the Traffic Circle on 149th street" - but I digress. (Done for effect for old(er) people reading this!)
One of the greatest sayings my late Father Jerry Forbes left me with was "I got old too soon - and I got smart too late."
And how I relate to that is by giving some of my 'younger' blog readers some sage advice from my 61 years on the planet.
Now I'm no Pulitzer Prize winner but I 'have' lived and I 'have' had some success in my chosen field so my advice is...
Watch your health: I've lost several friends, and family members that are in the 53 to 65 age range over the past several years. I know - thats not that old. We all think we will live to be 85 years old but that's just not the case.
The one thing that we CAN control though is what we eat and how much we excercise. I recently purchased a new bicycle and I've been riding between 45 minutes to an hour every day.
When I get back to Edmonton I'm going to remove the towels and clothing hanging for the past year from the treadmill and get my butt back on that as well.
I'm watching what I eat better now too and although I have no intention of eating purely rabbit food full time it's amazing how a little common sense can go a long way.
I 'feel' much better when I'm active and I have full intentions of being around for the birth of my grandchildren's children (Over to you Lauren and Rayanne) so getting rid of that 'bad' food will help prolong my chances to see my 85th birthday.
Forget the magic powders; forget Jenny Craig; focus on a long term plan and stick to it.
OK - treats every once in awhile to pay you off for your diligence.
Next, with an active body comes an active mind.
I was part of a great web series by Ben Babchishin called "Father Time is a Bastard and Mother Nature is a Bit of a Bitch." It was a fun series (available on Youtube) about turning 50. Hell that was more than a decade ago for me - but it's amazing how many people hit that age and simply just'stop learning.'
Hanging around 'young people' (under 50 ha) keeps you engaged and challenged simply to keep up with them. I've learned a lot from my "Bridging the Gap" program (mentors with up and comers series) and fully intend to continue with the project.
We're living in an amazing technological world and by being active on Social Media you're expanding your world.
I have a 92 year old Aunt who Skypes her family every day. Another Aunt in her 90's still golfs and curls every week.
Turn off Matlock and get engaged!
You don't have to like Jersey Shore but you should know who SNOOPY and THE INCIDENT are for when TMZ follows them coming out of jail. (*Am I close Rayanne?)
Next, find a good mentor (or more)
Knowledge comes from experience and it's always great to chat with successful people and find out how they got there.
One of my best all time mentors is Bruce Hogle, formerly of CFRN/CTV. While Bruce was at the station he used to drop by about once a month or so when I worked across the hallway at Standard Radio.
I would close the door; wouldn't check my email or answer the phone; and I'd bounce off those 'management problems' that I was puzzled by to see how he may have handled the situation.
Bruce is not only the biggest 'gentleman' you've ever met, but is highly recognized for his Public Service work (He's got the Order of Canada btw, and countless other awards) - and knows virtually 'every' important person in Edmonton. He opened 'many' doors for me and to this day I look forward to a chat with Bruce.
Most successful people like 'sharing' their knowledge and most won't fully solve your problems but they 'will' point you in the right direction. My Dad was a master at it!
Finally...TRAVEL. Instead of going to an all inclusive hotel in the middle of nowhere don't miss an opportunity to get out and see the world.
I went to Hawaii 9 times and loved it there but it was usually just to avoid winter. It wasn't until I was in my 50's that I hopped overseas to see what Europe is all about.
Seeing, experiencing, and enjoying 'culture' really opens up your eyes to the world we live in today. Seeing how life is on the other side of the pond is truly interesting, exciting and rewarding.
I've been over four times now and intend to go many more times and especially before I'm wheelchair bound and eating consume for lunch.
Belgium is amazing. Prague was an eye opener talking to a guy who lived through the comunism era. London's culture clash from Parliament to the "Pickle" City Hall is a must. Paris with the Eiffel Tower and Louvre was stunning. Rome and a walk through the catacombs of the Vatican where all the deceased Popes rest is hard to describe. Riding a motorcycle at the 4,000 foot level through Switzerland to Austria is jaw droppingly beautiful.
Yes it takes $'s but it's worth every penny.
So what I guess I'm saying with all this is "yes" I've been very lucky in life, but it's not without working hard, and it wasn't without a tangible plan especially when my Dad passed away at the young age of 58.
Live a little.
Live a lot.
Make your mark in the business world but don't sacrifice everything else that is out there and 'especially' be an inspiration to your children to do the same.
It's a big wide beautiful world and experience as much as you possibly can while you grace the world with your presence here.
As the legendary producer David Foster so glibly said "You're only on this earth for a short time you're dead for a really long time."
Just a few thoughts from a guy enjoying the 'golden' years of life!
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