Heidi Herman is the author of the book ‘On with the Butter!’ and I wanted to share an excerpt from the it with you. This was one of my favorite parts.
Just Keep Moving
What’s most important for us to remember is that no matter our age, if we take good care of ourselves, we can be active and enjoy life. My mom once told me a story that drove this point home. She was driving on a country road in Minnesota when she saw an old Ford Model T rusting in a field. Judging by the abundance of weeds growing around the metal skeleton, she figured it had been there a long time.
As luck would have it, a few miles later, when she stopped at a traffic light, another Model T pulled up in the lane next to her. This one was impeccable —sea-green paint smoothly covered the exterior, the white-wall tires were spotless, and the chrome gleamed. She said she couldn’t help but compare the car she’d seen rusting quietly in the field with the one next to her, all shiny, oiled up, and roaring with life.
The story is an accurate analogy for life
Sometimes, it’s easy to slide into a sedentary lifestyle and, quite frankly, get rusty. As Mom would say, don’t let your body “rust up”—it’s the only one you have. If you want it to keep going, you’d better keep it moving. And the science backs her up on that.
“Age is no barrier. It’s a limitation you put on your mind.”
Jackie Joyner-Kersee, American Olympic medalist
“You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.”
George Burns, American comedian, actor, and musician
“Keep Moving, Keep Doing, Keep Living – that’s what life’s all about.”
Heidi Herman
‘On with the Butter!’ by Heidi Herman is available for sale on Amazon here.
Rita says
What a great book title and philosophy. And, on with the butter, putting it on bread is fun, too.
Rebecca Forstadt-Olkowski says
Yes, it is Rita. Makes it even more yummy!
Rita says
I really like Tom Sightings as Sightings Over Sixty. He’s a great writer and interesting thinker.
Rebecca Forstadt-Olkowski says
He sure is!
Meryl says
A wonderful 94-year-old woman I know was asked how she keeps active and mentally alert. Her answer, “I keep moving. If I stop moving people will think I’m dead!”
Rebecca Forstadt-Olkowski says
That’s so true Meryl. The more you move, the longer you CAN move. It’s the key to living long and well.
Laurie Stone says
What a great metaphor, Rebecca. Use it or lose it. I can’t help think of my own 80=something year old mom who’s still purring along, mostly from taking good care of herself.
Rebecca Forstadt-Olkowski says
I think it’s great that you have such a perky mom, Laurie. May she have many more great years ahead of her.
Carol Cassara says
My bestie is 90 and lives this book’s outlook.
Rebecca Forstadt-Olkowski says
That’s great, Carol. We all should.