David Hegarty Dynamic Health

See what you think of this.
Ci******es and Life

A man wrote the other day, citing that a few octogenarians have smoked and drunk since they were 12 or 13.

Now, there’s not much I could say to confirm or deny this, but I’d be interested to hear what percentage of the octogenarian population it is; which would, I believe, put a different shade on the statement.

There are exceptions to every rule or trend. Most people now understand the poisonous effects of cigarette smoking. And most people of my vintage smoked.

I did, on and off, until I was 22, having started, like a lot of my peers, at 13, despite an intimate brush with pleurisy at age 10.

Thing was, even when smoking the odd fag, a Woodbine here, a Player there, the odd Churchman, and moment of moments, a Camel, or a Gitane, from some individual who’d travelled beyond our holy shores, I was diligently practising the breathing exercises taught to me by Dr Tom McCabe.

I can’t say whether this practice was the main cause of my stopping at age 22.

I do remember a Tuesday night, when I was in Sidcup, in Kent, in 1966.

A gentleman was giving a talk and slide show on the effects of smoking in a room over a pub I visited.

Mildly curious, two pals and I decided to attend.

Some of the pictures of the effects on the lungs were gruesome.
I thought about them over the next few days.
By Friday morning, I awoke as a confirmed non-smoker.



The decision was very easy. Some form of self-hypnosis had administered itself.
Not only did I not want to smoke, but I wanted not to smoke.

The difference was huge and immediate.

My swimming took on a new turn of speed and stamina; energy levels became abundant.
But, most significantly, planes of awareness, ambition, and quiet determination began to make themselves apparent, along with a real and intense desire to achieve a couple of lifetime goals.

It was as if in switching off the cigarette habit, occasional as it was, I’d hit another switch, a productive and driving force of which I’d only been vaguely aware.

I now believe that the cigarette habit had played the part of a [smoke]screen, an easy and comfortable distraction from the purpose of living.

Taking to the new route was a revelation. It was as if a kaleidoscope of possibilities had been revealed.

All kinds of new ideas and realities began to emerge.

The world was a better place. Horizons broadened.

Questions, never considered, erupted.

A simmering sense of urgency, the need to do, to find, to experience, to be, prevailed.

Sixty years later, it still lives, maybe not as frantic, but still with the substance.

Now, whether that was to do with giving up the noxious w**d, or whether it was to do with being at a particular point in life, or the sense of wanting to do, and to become, who I felt I should be, I don’t know. But it happened when I cut the f**s out.

Maybe it was a catalyst.

But maybe, just maybe, there are decisions in any of our lives, which, when taken, at any age, at any stage, have the power to transform perception, ignite the mind, expand the vision, create a purpose.

Have a Great Day and Do Well...

From a thoughtful and eloquent essayist;

"You cannot do a kindness too soon.
You never know how soon it will be too late."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882,
American Poet, Essayist
Have a Great Day and Do Well...

The World Health Organisation recommends Resistance Training for anyone, especially the over-45s.

Resistance Exercise is an essential strategy to improve muscle mass and strength, bone density and power. When done with some intention, a certain intensity, it has a powerful effect on the heart, lungs, arteries and other blood vessels.

Because it trains muscles individually and then in combination, it exerts a positive effect on posture, coordination, and balance. This results in good muscle tone, open and active lung use, and a self-perpetuating function of the body as it was designed to be.

It helps reverse such conditions as Sarcopenia (muscle wasting) and the diminishing of lung capacity as we age.
Weight-bearing exercise has long been used as an antidote to osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones become brittle and weak, leading to easy fractures. Weight training applies stress to the bone structure which triggers them to become denser and stronger.

Strength and Conditioning isn't just for the Irish Rugby Team, or All-Ireland Champions.
When we do Resistance Training, we train our muscles back into life.
It's for anyone who can move, use an appropriate resistance, and practise regularly.

It can be done with dumbbells, resistance bands, body weight and a hundred and one other ways that exert stress on the muscles.
It can be an engaging and priceless exercise in Physical Well-being, Mental Health, and a road to Peace of Mind.

We've incorporated it into the Practical Yogametrics™ system for the past 56 years.

See here for more information: Common Sense Wellness® - Home
087 2321128
www.hurlingart.com
Get to it.
Have a Great Day and Do Well...

Recent conversation in a kitchen.

SHE
'I think you;ve a message on your phone.'

HE
'It's that fella again. The guy about this workshop he thinks is important.
Monday evening. Seven o'clock, just when I'm ready to switch off and relax.'

SHE
'Maybe it wouldn't be any harm to sign in and have a listen. You don't have to commit to anything. And you never know, you might learn something useful. Even if you don't do it now, you can always think about it and keep the info' for when you might need it.'

HE
'Maybe.'

SHE
'Is that the fella who talks about keeping young and healthy, even when you're not meant to be?'

HE
'That's him. He's taught over 30,000 people how to be fit and well. He's 82 now.
Still works out.
Still does the business.
Maybe he's got a point.'

SHE
'Go on. Sign in.
I'll give you a present and pay for it.'

HE
'No need. It's free.'

She
'Is it for the whole evening?'

HE
'No. Just 30 - 40 minutes, with a system thrown in for anyone to use.'

SHE
'And you're thinking of missing it?
What've you got to lose?'
(Under her breath: 'God. Some people just never get it.)

HE
(Hesitantly) I suppose it wouldn't do any harm to listen.
See what it's about.'

SHE
'Go on. Do it. Do you know where to do that?'

HE
'Yeah. It's here, an email or a phone number.
[email protected]
It says to send an email with the word 'workshop' in the subject line.'
'Or to ring
353-87-2321128.'

SHE.
'Go on. Do it.
Now.
You never know, it might be just the kind of thing that'd suit you.''

2 minutes later.
HE
'That's it. I'm in.'

SHE
(contentedly)
'Good.
Sounds to me like the kind of thing you wouldn't want to miss.
You never know.'
(hesitates)
'Can I look with you?'