As my journey towards full recovery continues, I am often reminded by friends that I am not 20 years old anymore and that need to make sure that I manage my energy. Of course, this is at the forefront of all my activities, but I have to say that thinking I am not young anymore is a bit of crutch that I do not require. At 56 years young, regardless of my current health battle, I still think I am in my 30s and can do far more than most belief. Well, at least I believe I can and that is really what matters.

 I arrived home just 2 short weeks ago and since then, I have remained very active. I do something everyday. Sometimes it is a big something like golf and work in the yard (although yard work has to stop for 6 weeks because of health reasons) or walk 4 km or strength conditioning or … I think you get my point. Remaining active is vital to my recovery and to ensure I can continue golfing more this year and to come back strong next.

I think the first step to remaining active is to make the decision to do something. I realize I am not 20 years old when I would run around the basketball court for hours on end, but I am currently able to keep a steady pace doing other things for hours on end. The reason I seem do a fair bit of activity is because I believe that I can! Like the little train, I will not slow down or stop doing the things I love.

A goodly portion of my readers are around my age. I bet that they are shaking their heads in agreement because they also remain very active and will continue to do so; they understand the value of thinking young. We are not 20 anymore, but as a group, we are more active than ever.

Yesterday I played in an 18 hole scramble/best ball golf tournament. We took a cart, but I walked more than expected. I swung the club about 75 times (I did not hit every shot because one of our players was booming out drives), I looked for my friend’s golf balls in the woods more than he would have liked, and I watched my friends hit some great shots. I was tired at the end of 3.5 hours, but I consider it a good tired. My muscles were used and I felt wonderful. When I arrived home, I moved some wood and put the dishes away. My point to this mini diatribe is that I think I can do all of this and more. I am not 20, but I am not 80 either. Believing I can move and remain active is important to a great recovery.

Moving forward, I will continue to believe that I can be more active. Of course I must manage my energy levels because overdoing it is not a good thing. But, pushing the envelope just a bit each time is not so bad either. My physical recovery is tied to my mental strength and as far as I am concerned I am still 30 years old.

My golf game is rusty. Of course it is and I expected that. I am not as physically prepared to play good golf, but that will change. I will continue to play as much as I can, remain active outside of golf, but will rest when required. I believe that in the next 20 years, I will be more active doing the fun things than I ever have. And it all starts with me believing I can!

How about you? Do you still believe you are in your 30s?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!