Smith Says: Words to live by | Columnists | Summerville Journal Scene

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Smith Says: Words to live by

Published Tuesday, May 04, 2010 4:41 PM

By Julie R. Smith
Summerville Journal Scene ®

By now you probably know your bad habits are… well, bad for you. But there’s been a lot of blast recently about a 20-year study involving 5,000 adults with bad habits. English researchers announced that four of these habits--especially when combined--can shave years off your life.

Most of us already know this, but here goes: Smoking, drinking to excess, inactivity and a poor diet can age you by 12 years. With that sobering information, you have to ask yourself: Is this Marlboro and fried Butterfinger shot worth it?

Having tottered around this orb for almost 50 years, I’ve seen first-hand how some other bad habits can drag you down, prematurely or not:

- Trying to look 25 when you’re 45. (This is exhausting and expensive and you won’t win.)

- Arguing over stupid stuff. Helpful hint: Unless it involves death or divorce, it’s pretty much all stupid stuff

- Being jealous of what other people have. I used to envy people who lived in beautiful homes. Eventually I learned that living in a mansion does not guarantee a happy home.

- Reading the tabloids and watching reality TV. I’ll probably get stoned for this, but it’s mostly garbage. And I should know: I used to read People magazine and watch E!TV every week. Then I started feeling dirty for playing the voyeur in Lindsay Lohan’s tragic life. Now I boycott the whole genre. To put it another way, let’s not keep up with the Kardashians.

- Housework. I avoid it whenever possible.

- Being afraid of change. I hate change, but I’d rather go with the flow than fret myself into a big fat heart attack.

- Listening to heavy metal and rap. I get nervous just typing the words.

- Struggling to keep up with the Joneses. Save your money; let THEM go into debt. We watch TV on a 27-inch screen, and it hasn’t killed us yet.

Now, here are some ideas that might—who knows?—help you live longer. Or better.

- Be nice to people you can’t stand. (If nothing else, you’ll feel smug.)

- Slow down. Chances are, life will still be here tomorrow.

- Connect with others, even if you don’t want to. Especially if you don’t want to. Sometimes we need to be reminded of our humanity.

- Save a life: Adopt a homeless pet. Study after study shows that people with pets live longer. You can’t die when the dog needs to be walked.

- Pray or meditate. (See “slow down,” above.)

- Don’t look for trouble. It will find you on its own.

- Get outside. Your mother was right: We need fresh air and sunshine.

- Cultivate a hobby, whether it’s square-dancing, growing roses or squirting water through your front teeth. Just enjoy yourself.

- Be satisfied with what you have. Nobody, and I mean nobody, has a charmed life. Even Donald Trump, with all his wealth and fame, has to deal with his hair. (Or whatever that is hovering three inches above his head.)

- Be humble. Yes, you’re special, but no, you’re not all that and a bag of chips.

Julie R. Smith, who plans to outlive her allergies, can be reached at widdleswife@aol.com.

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