The latest statistics from the CDC (2014) report that the average life expectancy is as follows:
Hispanic male = 76.2 years (914 months or 3962 weeks or 27,813 days or 667,512 hours)
Hispanic female = 82.2 years (986 months or 4274 weeks or 30,003 days or 720,072 hours)
White male = 73.2 years (878 months or 3806 weeks or 26,718 days or 639,475 hours)
White female = 79.3 years (952 months or 4,124 weeks or 28,944 days or 694,668 hours)
Black male = 69 years (828 months or 3588 weeks or 25,185 days or 604,440 hours)
Black female = 76.3 years (916 months or 3968 weeks or 27,850 days or 668,388 hours)
So, for the purposes of this blog, let's use the overall average life expectancy from birth of 76 years (912 months or 3952 weeks or 27,740 days or 665,760). Looks like a lot, doesn't it?
Let's break it down even further (based on the US Dept of Labor & Statistics 2015 Time Survey):
Let's break it down even further (based on the US Dept of Labor & Statistics 2015 Time Survey):
Sleeping = 25.3 years (304 months/1316 weeks/9235 days/221,628 hours). So, we have 50.7 years left (608 months/2636 weeks/18506 days/444,132 hours).
School K-12 (@ 7.5 hrs/day & 181 days of school/yr) = 2 years (24 months/105 weeks/736 days/17,654 hours). So, now we have 48.7 years left (584 months/2532 weeks/17,776 days/426,624 hours).
Eating = 6 years (72 months/330 weeks/2312 days/55,480 hours). Now we have 42.7 years left (512 months/2220 weeks/15,586 days/374,064 hours).
Work (40 hr/wk) = 11 years (132 months/582 weeks/4073 days/97,760 hours). Now, we have 31.7 years left (380.4 months/1648 weeks/11,571 days/277,704 hours).
Bathroom = 1+ years (13 months/55 weeks/386 days/9,272 hours). Leaving us with about 30.5 years left (366 months/1586 weeks/11,133 days/267,192 hours).
Eating = 6 years (72 months/330 weeks/2312 days/55,480 hours). Now we have 42.7 years left (512 months/2220 weeks/15,586 days/374,064 hours).
Work (40 hr/wk) = 11 years (132 months/582 weeks/4073 days/97,760 hours). Now, we have 31.7 years left (380.4 months/1648 weeks/11,571 days/277,704 hours).
Bathroom = 1+ years (13 months/55 weeks/386 days/9,272 hours). Leaving us with about 30.5 years left (366 months/1586 weeks/11,133 days/267,192 hours).
You get the picture. Once we include housework, childcare/elder care, running errands, etc., and account for time lost due to obesity, smoking, cancer etc., we are roughly left with about 2 years (24 months/96 weeks/669 days/16,060 hours) worth of time for leisure, love, hobbies, and other pleasurable activities. It doesn't seem like so much time now, huh?
So, when was the last time you slowed down to "smell the roses" so to speak? When was the last time you took a walk - not for fitness - just to feel the breeze through your hair, to feel the sun on your skin, and to simply admire the beauty of nature? When was the last time you did something philanthropic just to share the joy in your heart with someone else? When was the last time you sat quietly with your significant other, without saying a word, just experiencing the warmth of their touch and the connection of your hearts? Do you feel like you need a vacation from your life? Then, you are TOO BUSY! If you find yourself talking about, "One day, I am going to...," versus "I am so glad I...," then you are missing out on life. What if "one day" doesn't ever come? Why can't "one day" be today?
With all of the technology we have available today, one would think that people would stay in touch and communication would be improving in our intimate relationships. But, people are more out of touch than ever. It takes less than 2 minutes to send a text message that says, "I'm thinking about you" or "I miss our friendship, let's do lunch." The thing is: we make time for what's important to us in life. If we are sick or in pain, we make time to get to the doctor. If we need to deposit a check, we make time to go to the bank. Therefore, if we wanted to have a relationship, we would have to make time to meet someone, get to know them, and spend time building that relationship. If we wanted to buy a house, we would have to make time to go look for a house. When I wanted to learn how to play golf, I had to make time to go take my lessons and to go to the golf course to practice. It's that simple!
When you look back over your life, do you want your memories to be filled with the meetings which you attended, the amount of money you made, how much stress you were under, how many family events you missed, how many things you did not get to do on your bucket list? Or do you want our memories to be filled with the places to which you've traveled, the long talks with your friends, and the romantic moments you spent with your significant other? When your eulogy is being read, I promise you that no one is going to talk about how much time you spent at work. They may mention that you were driven and successful but that can be said in one sentence. What people will talk about is the things you did in your life, the memories you made with them, and how much they will miss spending time with you and being in your presence.
As much as you may think that it is not important to slow down, I beg to differ. Personally, I want to be able to think about all of the things I did to have fun and enrich my life - not about having perfect attendance for the past 30 years at the same job. I want to experience exotic beaches, like Fiji, unquestionable love that takes my breath away, roller coasters, every different color of roses, and a lot more. My challenge to you is twofold:
Take at least 5 minutes a day to reach out and connect with someone that matters to you and
Make "one day" TODAY (or at least sometime within the next 30 days).
